Jack Viney has a direct message for every person who told him he was only riding on his famous Dad’s AFL coat tails.

Thanks – thanks a lot.

The prodigious talent will make his AFL debut on Sunday, one of seven newcomers to Melbourne’s team for the round-one clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG.

The 19-year-old’s lineage meant he was destined to be a Demon.

His father Todd captained Melbourne in a 233-game career and he is their player development manager.

Todd was also caretaker Demons coach after Dean Bailey was sacked during the 2011 season.

Melbourne recruited Jack in last year’s national draft through the father-son rule.

Being “the son of” means Jack has effectively grown up surrounded by the AFL, but it also made him a target.

“I’ve always had people tell me I’ve only made teams because of my name and I’m only any good because of my dad,” Viney said.

“So it just gave me motivation growing up and I thank those kind of people for telling me that kind of stuff.

“It just motivated me to become the player I am now.”

Viney proved he was ready for a round-one debut by overcoming a neck injury and playing for VFL side Casey last weekend.

When Demons coach Mark Neeld called him into his office on Monday to break the good news about selection, Todd was able to go next door and celebrate the moment with his father.

“They had a father-son thing, which is great,” Neeld said.

But Jack is not one for feel-good stories – he just wants to get a kick against the Power.

“With all the day-to-day footy life, it’s hard I guess to become sentimental and think about the story,” he said.

“It’s more just training hard and trying to achieve success.

“I do appreciate the story – that my dad played for the club and all that kind of stuff.

“I’m still just very focused on the weekend and … performing my role.”

No.4 draft pick Jimmy Toumpas and mature-age recruit Matthew Jones will also make their AFL debuts in Melbourne’s round-one team.

There will be seven Demons newcomers altogether, with Cam Pedersen (North Melbourne), David Rodan (Port Adelaide) and Geelong pair Shannon Byrnes and Tom Gillies joining the club since last season.