Melbourne players celebrate after the AFL Round 18 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Melbourne Demons at the Gabba, Brisbane. Slattery Images
It’s hard not to get excited about the future of the Melbourne Football Club. So much so, I think the Demons have the potential to win a premiership in the next 3 years.
Some might say this is a ridiculous statement or at the very least a premature one. But based on the improvements this year, the potential of the club’s list, and the style of play Dean Bailey is overseeing, there is no reason why it can’t happen.
Most of the football world has had sympathy for the Demons in recent years, but that has quickly turned into respect. And now it won’t be long until opposition sides start fearing them as well.
The significance of Saturday night’s 10 point win against the Lions on the road shouldn’t be underestimated either.
One of the greatest challenges in such an even competition is being able to win interstate, and this will mean much more than just the four points for a young side.
While the Demons’ slim finals hopes are still alive, whether they make it is irrelevant as this year is more about building self-belief and momentum than anything else.
In saying that, the results certainly went their way with the Kangaroos, Adelaide, Carlton and Sydney all losing above them.
The club’s long list of young stars is fast developing; Jack Trengove, Tom Scully, Jordan Gysberts, Jordan McKenzie and James Strauss have all showed in varying degrees just how good they are going to be.
As did Jack Watts, his 27 disposal game on Saturday night was easily his best for the club.
Watts’ size, speed and agility make him the perfect prototype to be the next superstar centre half forward of the competition, and as his confidence and stature continues to grow so too will Melbourne’s on-field revival.
Just imagine what he’ll be able to do with another pre-season under his belt.
I strongly believe his selection in front of Nic Naitanui in the draft will be vindicated by the end of their careers, if it hasn’t already.
The Demons core group has significantly improved as well, with Nathan Jones, Brent Maloney, Colin Sylvia and Clint Bartram all producing quality and consistent performances.
The ruck duo of Jamar and even Johnson is starting to shine, while the indigenous talent of Liam Jurrah, Austin Wonaeamirri, Aaron Davey and Jamie Bennell continues to provide an ‘X-factor’ the Demons have been missing.
The back six is solid with Jack Grimes the general, James Frawley the anchor and Joel MacDonald offering some real grunt.
Not to mention the All-Australian form of Brad Green this year, surely he’ll be the next Melbourne captain when James McDonald decides to hang up the boots?
The Demons should have beaten the Bulldogs, were outclassed a little against the Cats but matched it with the Magpies on two occasions this season with only one point separating them.
And Collingwood this year is the real deal too.
The Magpies not only beat Carlton, they completely embarrassed the arch enemy in front of nearly 80,000 fans on Saturday at the MCG.
It’s actually hard to find a weakness or chink in the black and white armour heading towards September.
They have genuine superstars right across the ground: Dane Swan, Alan Didak, Harry O’Brien, Dale Thomas, Luke Ball, Scott Pendlebury, Darren Jolly, Leon Davis, Heath Shaw the list goes on and they’ve all improved this year.
Has a team ever been better placed in terms of depth and injuries on the eve of a finals series?
In the past I’ve been critical of the Magpies’ lack of a power forward, but Travis Cloke and Chris Dawes are now playing the role beautifully.
Although Cloke missed several set shots for goal, he still booted two and took 12 telling marks across half forward.
He might just be the key to the Magpies’ premiership chances.
The true test will come for Collingwood this Saturday night against Geelong in a game Mark Thompson perfectly described as a ‘match made in heaven.’
Whoever wins the top of the table clash will be without doubt this year’s premiership favourite, but the way the Magpies are playing, it’s hard to see anyone beating them.
Brian
Guest
Quite an early call. St Kilda had the best ever looking young squad back in 2004 and now their window is closing. Carlton were coming but have stagnated temporarily at least. I expect the Dees to make the Finals next year but after that it gets harder. Brisbane are also the worst side going round at the moment. Finally winning interstate and winning the Grand Final sounds like a cliché saying. The Pies have been masters at winning on the road over the last 10 years. The Hawks have been crap - who has a flag?
andrew
Guest
I think Brad is a fantastic player, but hope that Flash is the next club captain. It is hard to judge their off-field abilities from here in Brisbane, but I think Davey has provided more good performances in losing teams than Green, and I count that as a real character indication. I really, really hope you are right about Watts. I was encouraged by his last couple of games, but I thought (notwithstanding 27 possessions) he was ordinary against the Lions. He dropped several key passes, and his delivery by hand was too slow. On the positive side from Saturday...Tom Scully. He could be anything with another year or so of development, absolutely anything.
Redb
Roar Guru
Still a bit early to make this prediction on the Demons. Their games against Collingwood showed some real capacity but they have not been consistent enough at other times. This is a young side and understandable but so much has to go right, for example, their midfield kids need to develop into Barltels and Chapmans before I'm convinced. Nathan Jones is a likely character. Who is their genuine forward option beyond Brad Green? Have enjoyed their games to date, up against the Tigers this week so I dont know who I want to win? :-)
todd
Guest
Justin, Good article. As a Demons tragic as well as a general football fan I have spent the darker recent years just praying the Demons dont get to the finals carrying the wooden spoon. Although some signs were there last year (a number of honourable losses), Bailey has worked the boys into to motivated unit with great understanding and trust in each others' play. I havent seen this consistency since 2000 when we were a distant second to the mighty Essendon. I hope the Dee's make the 8 from hear as any achievement is a plus. The interesting fact is in this years comp there are really only 5 teams that can win it (you could narrow it to two - Pies and Cats quite easily but Saints, Bulldogs and Dockers present well on paper) but if Melbourne get to September we might even make the second week.