MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Jake Lever of the Demons handpasses the ball during the round four AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Melbourne defender Jake Lever is "building towards something that's pretty scary" in the upcoming season according to teammate Alex Neal-Bullen.

Lever, who was the Demon's big name recruit last season only played 11 games for the club after going down with an ACL injury in Round 11 against the Western Bulldogs.

"He (Lever) is on the way to come back for a good year I reckon," Neal-Bullen told SEN Breakfast.

He also touched on new Demon Steven May, expressing his excitement about the defensive combo he will form with Lever.

"May has been really impressive," Neal-Bullen said.

"Obviously coming across you knew he was a very good player but the composure he brings with the footy in hand, I didn't realise how much of a lethal left foot he has got.

"It's an exciting time for us, him coming off halfback, one-on-one, but then I'm sure he will look to get his hands on the footy a bit and use him as an offensive player.

"Put them two together with the other boys, it will be very exciting as a forward sitting there watching the ball come down."

Melbourne open their 2019 season against Port Adelaide at the MCG on March 23.