Despite only winning two games so far, Melbourne is making a case for being the most improved team in the competition.
The Demons only managed two unimpressive wins last year, so they have already matched that effort and based on recent performances they will win a few more before the season is out.
They have been competitive in every game other than the West Coast debacle in Round 2. Paul Roos’ mantra at the start of the season was all about not getting thrashed, which happened way too often in 2012 and 2013.
He taught them how to hang onto the ball better, even if it meant it was ugly to watch, and improved their defence by making the contest a scrap.
That was his game plan when coaching the Swans, and we know how successful that was.
The Demons, in a short space of time, have become hard to play against, with the win over Adelaide the highlight.
They were able to restrict the Crows’ run-and-gun style, while at the same time Adelaide were complacent. The Demons got them on the counterattack, utilising Chris Dawes as a target man.
The Demons have always had an abundance of tall forwards and defenders, although injuries to Dawes and exciting youngster Jesse Hogan coupled with the retirement of Mitch Clark haven’t helped them in attack.
The midfield was very thin, but they have addressed that for this season, bringing in Bernie Vince from the Crows, Western Bulldogs veteran Daniel Cross and Dom Tyson from the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Tyson was a number three draft pick in 2010, but didn’t settle with the fledgling team and suffered a knee injury. He has been a revelation this year, averaging 26 touches a game. Preseason criticism of Melbourne’s decision to trade pick two to GWS for Tyson and pick nine, where they snared Christian Salem, no longer exists.
It now looks like being a win, win, win for all parties, with the Giants’ pick two, Josh Kelly, also showing that he should be a star.
Roos has moved All Australian defender James Frawley forward, and that has worked at times. He’s also swapped high flying forward Jeremy Howe into defence to make him a more rounded player.
Co-captain Nathan Jones, after consecutive best and fairest awards, seems to have improved, helped of course by those experienced bodies in the midfield.
This year was all about respect, and the Demons are quickly regaining that. As Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said after the win over Melbourne on Saturday, Paul Roos’ teams are always ready to play and hard to play against.
I am sure other teams will be taking note of the Demons’ improvement and know that they will be in for a hard day at the office from now on.
Winning on a regular basis might take time, but the Demons are no longer an embarrassment, nor, as their CEO Peter Jackson stated last year, an impediment to the competition.
insignis
Guest
Bassett you are an intellectual tour de force (and a homophobic simpleton). You've unlocked the secret of Melbourne' past woes- an absence of luck. That's all it was! Voldemort placed a '7 time' evil luck spell on the MFC, which only Paul Roos could lift when he traded his soul for a return of 'good luck'. Ditto for Alistair Clarkson who also is a no-talent coach...but only snares premierships through 'luck. MFC should sack Roos and employ my 8 year old niece. She couldn't coach a team to save herself, but boy has she had a run of good luck recently. They say the stats don't lie, and it's true- Bassett you need to return to school and complete that primary school education.
Steele
Guest
How can Port be most improved people?? They had a great year last season. They would have to win the flag for most improved. The Suns are the obvious choice.
Steele
Guest
+1
Ian Montgomery
Roar Pro
Port would definitely be the front runner for most improved but I'd argue the Suns are a very close second. They've gone from winning sitting outside the eight to being close to a top four side - especially if they can win their next two games against the Saints and Bulldogs. Plenty of people have bagged their prediction that they want to win a flag next year but given there improvement last year from the year before and the step forward they've taken this year, they'll be a contender next year.
Cat
Roar Guru
Homophobic as well as stupid, you are on a role now.
Fred Bassett
Guest
Anyone with a hyphen in their name is a pretentious clown. Did you attend the Grammar School old boy? You would have had plenty of practice as a pillow biter down there.
Cat
Roar Guru
another stupid comment from FB
Cam Mann
Roar Rookie
I think much of the talent was there, but horrendously coached by Neeld. They were actively playing agianst his game style 'See Moloney' Roos hasn't done much more than teach them to hold the ball and enjoy playing footy again. Step 1 is to reduce the points differential and Step 2 will be to start to grab some of thise close ones.
Fred Basset
Guest
Melbourne has won only TWO matches. What ground have they made? Paul Roos is taking the MFC for a pack of fools like a snake oil peddler.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Melbourne were so bad to begin with it's hard to not make up ground. Roo's reckoning will come in 2 years when he jumps ship because he doesn't have the stomach to actually build this club into something successful.
Gyfox
Guest
"a team making up the numbers in the top 8"? Franko - they defeated C/wood & came close to upsetting Geelong. That's more than making up the numbers!
Franky
Guest
The argument that Melbourne is even a contender for most improved team is probably more of a reflection of how bad they were last year than how good they are this year. Certainly, there has been improvement, and if you were a Melbourne supporter you might be starting to believe that maybe this time they're getting their rebuild right. But if you look at their results for the year, they haven't exactly set the world on fire. They've beaten Adelaide and Carlton, but lost to GWS, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs. The best you could say about that form line is that they are more competitive against the lower sides. For me, I'd say Port Adelaide are clearly the most improved team. They've gone from a team making up the numbers in the top 8 to a genuine contender for the premiership. And they've avoided the second year new coach hangover, which is in stark contrast to Sanderson and the Crows.
Milo
Guest
Will beat Richmond on Saturday. if Roos can't out-coach Hardwick that would be unusual considering most of the other coaches do.
Johnno
Guest
We have to be patient, Melbourne are in a rebuilding year.
Michael huston
Guest
Maybe Paul Roos fluked coming into the team when it began to improve, but you can easily see Roos' positive influence on the team. Their pressure has improved, their effort has improved and their skills have improved. The loss of Frawley at the end of the season could be a concern, as he's been a reliable presence up forward. They need to do their best to secure him. But things are looking better for Roos and the Demons!