We take a look at the Melbourne Demons’ chances in the 2011 AFL Premiership.
Team: Melbourne Demons
Homeground: MCG (100,000)
Coach: Dean Bailey
Season 2010: 12th (P-22 W-8 L-13 D-1 34pts 94.52%)
2011 squad: Rohan Bail, Clint Bartram, Matthew Bate, Jamie Bennell, Sam Blease, Lucas Cook, Aaron Davey, Troy Davis, Lynden Dunn, Jack Fitzpatrick, James Frawley, Clin Garland, Max Gawn, Brad Green, Jack Grimes, Jordan Gysberts, Jeremy Howe, Mark Jamar, Neville Jetta, Nathan Jones, Liam Jurrah, Joel Macdonald, Addam Maric, Stephan Martin, Tom McDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Brent Moloney, Cale Morton, Ricky Petterd, Jared Rivers, Tom Scully, Jake Spencer, James Strauss, Colin Sylvia, Luke Tapscott, Jack Trengove, Matthew Warnock, Jack Watts, Austin Wonaeamirri. Rookie list: Robert Campbell, Michael Evans, Cameron Johnston, Kelvin Lawrence, Tom McNamara, Michael Newton, Daniel Nicholson.
Ins: Robert Campbell (2011 Pre-Season Draft), Lucas Cook (2010 AFL Draft), Troy Davis (2010 AFL Draft), Jeremy Howe (2010 AFL Draft), Tom McDonald (2010 AFL Draft), Jordie McKenzie (rookie elevation), Jake Spencer (rookie elevation).
Outs: Daniel Bell (delisted), Cameron Bruce (delisted), Kyle Cheney (traded to Hawthorn), Danny Hughes (delisted), Paul Johnson (delisted), James McDonald (retired), Brad Miller (delisted).
Season preview: It’s been a long road for Melbourne fans, but it finally looks like the Demons have a team capable of cracking into the top eight.
Last year was promising for the young brigade, with the Demons notching eight wins and matching it with the likes of Collingwood and the Bulldogs.
A future group of stars made their debuts in 2010 with Tom Scully, Jack Trengove and Jordan Gysberts all making an impression.
The Demons will miss the run off halfback that Cameron Bruce provided, a role that Jack Grimes will likely slot into. Grimes has been promoted to the leadership group this year and will be keen to play a full season after he missed the last eight matches with a hamstring injury.
The Demons had an up and down NAB cup campaign, making it through to the second round before being hammered by the Bombers. The Melbourne defence had people talking after the loss to Essendon but backline general, James Frawley was missing from the side. Frawley enjoyed a career-best year in 2010. He finished second in the best and fairest, racked up the third highest rebounds from defensive 50 in the AFL and earned All-Australian selection.
Adam Maric looks like he could be dangerous this year and was one of Melbourne’s best pre-season performers along with the mercurial Liam Jurrah.
Melbourne’s defence seems to be their weakness at the moment but their forward line is definitely ready to shine. With Maric, Jurrah, Austin Wonaeamirri, Jack Watts, Brad Green, Lynden Dunn and Ricky Petterd, the Demons will have no lack of options up forward in 2011.
They will be hoping All-Australian ruckman Mark Jamar can have another standout season. Paul Johnson has been delisted and picked up by Hawthorn but new recruit, Robert Campbell will give the team some depth if he can get his body right.
The midfield looks solid with elevated rookie Jordie McKenzie adding some grit alongside Brent Moloney and Nathan Jones. Then you have Scully, Trengove and Gysberts ready to take the next step and Aaron Davey who may not attract as heavy a tag this season.
Dean Bailey has been laying the ground work for a successful football team since he arrived at Melbourne in 2008. The coach is still focused on rebuilding the club but supporters will want a higher finish than 12th this year, and we predict they’ll get it.
Main man: Brad Green. The new skipper. Last year’s best and fairest and leading goalkicker. The man set to take Melbourne where they have not been since 2006. The silky skilled left-footer enjoyed a career-best season in 2010, kicking 55 goals and leading Melbourne’s kicks and marks. Had the sixth most marks in the AFL last season, Green is one of the most accurate kicks in the league and will be looking forward to a big 2011.
X-Factor: Liam Jurrah is one of the most exciting players in the game today and he’s got the best hair style getting around. At 188cm, Jurrah is as agile as a small forward, with great hands and a vertical leap like Melbourne’s former number 24, Russell Robertson. Jurrah kicked nine goals in the Demons’ last two games, one of which was kicked after a spectacular mark against the Power, that was judged mark of the year.
Predicted 2011 finish: Eighth
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The AFL has confirmed the right decision was made after a ball ricocheted off a boundary umpire's leg during the third quarter of Melbourne's…
There's an old saying that you should never argue with an idiot, because they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron has been handed a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Jake Lever during the Lions' Thursday night win over…
19 months ago, a banged-up Brisbane came to the MCG as heavy underdogs, faced a formidable Melbourne outfit that stood among the premiership favourites,…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
