Melbourne midfielder Brent Moloney has said that being stripped of the club's vice-captaincy hasn't changed his approach to leadership.
Dumped from the Demons' leadership group last month after being ejected from a St Kilda nightclub and admitting to a drinking problem, Moloney has since dedicated himself to setting the right example.
He's been Melbourne's best-performed player on the field so far this season and has been working hard behind the scenes to improve his standing at the club.
"I believe you don't need a title to lead," Moloney said.
"Ever since whatever happened, the focus has been to just keep leading the way I was and keep driving these young guys to get the most out of them."
"I want to be back in the leadership group and I would love to be vice-captain of the footy club again."
"That's a goal of mine."
Coming off disappointing losses to North Melbourne and the Saints, Moloney said the Demons were looking forward to claiming a top-four scalp on the big stage in Friday night's clash with Carlton.
The occasion, he said, will give the Demons a better idea of where they're at.
Moloney said he was hoping that Carlton midfielder Brock McLean retains his place in the line-up for what would be his first appearance against his former club.
"We've got a lot of respect for Brock McLean," said Moloney.
"He played a lot of good games for the footy club and was a leader of the footy club."
"We'll just go out there as if he's another player playing in a Carlton jersey."
"He's a pretty strong-willed person and ... he'll want to play well, but we're not focusing on him too much."
While conceding that All Australian ruckman Mark Jamar, who's likely to be sidelined for another month with a knee injury, is a 'massive loss', Moloney believes the Demons can match the Blues at the stoppages.
"I don't think the midfield's been going too bad," he said.
"We beat St Kilda in clearances last week by 12 or 14."
"Stef Martin's come in and played his role, it's good to see Michael Evans come in last week, Jordie Gysberts is in good form and obviously Jordie McKenzie's come in last week."
"I've been working pretty close with Stef as all the other midfielders have."
"We've just got to live by that and hopefully we can keep up the same form."