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Where to this year for the hapless Dees? Are they finally ready for a substantial rise up the ladder after eight consecutive seasons in the bottom five?
It’s unlikely, but not impossible to foresee that they could climb up four or five rungs. At the least, they should be able to sneak a little break on a couple of teams at the foot of the ladder.
Check out the rest of Rosey’s AFL preview series here.
Let’s have a look at their potential best 25:
B: L.Dunn T.McDonald N.Jetta
HB: S.Frost C.Garland C.Salem
C: H.Lumumba N.Jones B.Vince
HF: J.Watts C.Dawes J.Howe
F: J.Garlett J.Hogan D.Kent
Foll: M.Gawn D.Tyson J.Viney
Int: C.Pederson D.Cross A.Brayshaw J.Grimes
Em: M.Jamar B.Newton J.Kennedy-Harris
The Melbourne list has undergone a major overhaul since Paul Roos took over at the end of 2013.
If we look at the above best 22, there are only 11 names there that played in Round 22 of 2013. That’s half a team’s worth of change in one season.
The Demon midfield has been a black hole for the longest time. As has been well documented, the drafting and development of teenagers didn’t work out so well for them, so Roos decided to siphon talent from other clubs, in his time-honoured way.
As a result, this year we’ll be seeing the imported likes of Heritier Lumumba, Bernie Vince, Dom Tyson, Daniel Cross, Ben Newton, Viv Michie and Aiden Riley to complement the homegrown Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, and hopefully Jimmy Toumpas.
Not all of these players will play at one time this year, which at least indicates that there is a little bit of midfield depth growing at Demonland. A far cry from 2013, when a player like Dean Terlich finished third in the best and fairest.
While Bernie Vince and in particular Dom Tyson more than proved their worth last season, the one thing Melbourne sorely lacked was run. There are now umpteen statistics and the game gets analysed from every angle, but one of the most under-appreciated facets of the game is plain old run.
The Demons were as slow as molasses in their ball movement at times, constipated in their ball movement, strangled by their own lack of skill, lack of confidence, but most of all by their lack of run.
Lumumba has his detractors, both on and off the field, but the one thing he provides above all else is run. He can be a one-trick pony, getting the ball, heading towards goal, and bombing it long, but his type of player can be valuable in the right circumstances, and the Dees need him.
The ruck division will be better served with Mark Jamar, one of the worst All-Australian selections of all time, in the VFL. It’s time to let Max Gawn impose himself on the competition.
The backline doesn’t lose as much as people might think with James Frawley’s exit, considering he spent two-thirds of the season in attack last year.
Tom McDonald has quietly compiled 60-odd games, but still lacks seasoning and polish. Ex-Giant Sam Frost is still an unknown quantity. Colin Garland can play, and will be counted upon to bounce back after an injury-affected 2014.
Neville Jetta was one of the better back pockets in the league last year, and now provides an air of solidity. Likewise Lynden Dunn, proving himself a decent footballer down back after nearly a decade as a wandering utility.
Based off one intra-club game, according to the Demon faithful, Christian Salem is the saviour to their run and skill problems off half-back. Hopefully he is allowed to mature into the position, and is given the time to fail, learn and improve.
A fit and focussed Jeff Garlett will add much needed spice to the forward fifty, although the fans would prefer simple goals. I’ve known ardent Melbourne supporters go entire calendar months without seeing a crumbed goal from one of their small men.
Jesse Hogan will be one of three young key forwards with all eyes on him this season, the other two being Paddy McCartin at St Kilda and Tom Boyd at the Dogs. Let’s not expect too much from them this year, and let them just play the game.
Cameron Pederson, who arguably played as close to his (albeit limited) capacity as anyone on the list in 2014, will be a good swingman, and can take some pressure off Hogan up forward, but also lend a hand down back when required.
Chris Dawes is there to run in straight lines and present full-chested between the arcs. With Jeremy Howe and Jack Watts also floating through half-forward, there is enough marking ability and foot-skills there to provide headaches for the opposition.
It is imperative that these three get separation from each other and give their teammates multiple options out of defence, while also creating space for the full-forward line to either lead into. Half-forward often needs to be the most selfless position on the ground. An effective flanker can create goals without getting a touch.
Multiple forwards leading into and creating space also promotes run further up the field. All of it creates uncertainty in opposition minds, where last year they had nothing but certainty when playing Melbourne.
The Demons still have a tough road to hoe, but Paul Roos is slowly building something sustainable. If things go very well, there are half a dozen clubs they can finish in front of this year. But for now, they must measure themselves against those immediately around them.
Melbourne went from two wins in 2013 to four wins last year. A return of six to eight should be the aim this time around. It’s achievable.
Predicted ladder spread: 14th – 17th.
Predicted finish: 16th.