Are Melbourne panicking?

Are Melbourne pressing the panic button already?

Second-year player Jack Trengove, who has 37 games under his belt, and Jack Grimes, who has been injury prone since he turned up four years ago, have been appointed co-captains.

What's it say to hard-working wayward boys likes Brent Moloney and Nathan Jones, as well as of course long-serving Brad Green?

What's his future, will he be guaranteed playing seniors all year under new coach Mark Neeld?

It sends a message that the recruiting the last four or five years hasn't been up to standard and there's no none with leadership qualities except a 20-year-old kid and 22-year-old who has played only 32 games.

North on the other hand showed faith in Andrew Swallow, the bloke whose last three years have been outstanding, winning best and fairest awards in 2009 and 2011 and finishing third just a vote back in between.

It seems ironic that a few years ago he couldn't get a game under Dean Laidley, wasn't even going to play Round 1 2009 until an injury gave him a reprieve, with his football seemingly at the crossroads.

He bounced back in no uncertain terms to be arguably one of their only A-graders now, with perhaps only Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie also in that category.

He's got footy smarts, he's tough and while there's been a knock on his kicking, it has improved.

Melbourne like every other club is out trying to sell their gifted players but making this radical choice of these two youngsters is sending a very mixed message.

Clubs have got to flog their membership at the moment, North have been using Swallow everywhere they can and Collingwood and Melbourne will be out beating their drum.

With this Optus-Telstra case and the ramifications it could have in the next four or five years for the clubs, membership is more important than ever.

Sponsorship dollars are certainly starting to dry up so they need the mums and dads coming through the doors to fill the coffers because in a couple of years free agency is going to come in and clubs will need all the help they can get to take advantage.

The spin doctors spin in February, reality strikes about May.

I just hope Melbourne have made the right choice but I know North have.

Swallow's proven and he's tough.

There are also a few queries about injuries at football clubs.

One leading contender for the flag this year is reported to have 10 long-term injuries.

Pre-seasons get harder and harder, the mountains of Arizona call them every year but there's so many injuries they might need to ease them back a bit.