To say Melbourne had a bad year last year would be a gross understatement. The injury and retirement of one of its most faithful and best performing captains in David Neitz was a major morale and practical problem for the Demons. The wooden spooners were without a big forward and could not rely on Russell Robertson as he tore his achilles tendon early in the season (an injury he has yet to fully recover from). The forward problem combined with poor form and more injuries to more ‘best 18’ players compounded the Dees woes. The Demons often looked like boys playing in a men’s competition as they were outrun, out-skilled and out-muscled by most teams. The season was not without the occasional high points such as the development of Cale Morton and a win from 50 points behind at halftime against the Dockers. This at least brought a brief feeling of pride to the club along with fans for Austin Wonaeamirri.

Backline

As previously reported there is a lot of room for some young defenders to come through this year this year and the reestablishment of Jared Rivers as a gun defender, if uninjured. Although Melbourne leaked more goals than anybody else last year and had arguably the worst kick in strategy even though they had the most practice at it the defenders are not all to blame for that. The kick in strategy was a combination of poor tactics and poor execution by all the team’s player not just the defenders.

Colin Garland and Jack Grimes make the eyes of Demons fans light up. They possess attributes that great back-men tend to have. Their potential will hopefully come somewhat in to probation this season and they will have enough balls flying in to the backline because of the below problems.

Midfield

By most people’s assertion Melbourne’s midfield is mournful characterised by single paced outside players with little to no flare. This is somewhat unfair; players like Nathan Jones are emerging as quality inside players. Melbourne’s inability or unwillingness to play on is a constant annoyance, especially against flooding and zoning teams (most teams) where short passing and then running back on the mark and taking another short kick doesn’t get you anywhere especially if you don’t have the skill to pull it off.

You can expect the Demons to play more and more young players and give them fairly long runs in the team to give them match experience as Melbourne try to develop. James McDonald, who is now captain, and old war horse Cameron (the) Bruce will have a big role in leading the midfielders in to the club’s next era.

Forwards

“What forward line?” was the cry of many in 2008, this sentiment is still somewhat well founded in 2009. Robbo (the only experienced Melbourne forward) is still suffering from injury and although plays taller than he is, he is by no means the key position player that Melbourne need. Michael Newton is surfacing as the full forward-elect, he is tall and can take a hanger; he even won 2007 mark of the year. Colin Sylvia has gone and stayed out late on a Sunday and has been slapped on the wrists with a one practice match ban but otherwise still is sparking confidence that one day he will be a decent centre half forward, which as yet has not been fulfilled.

Rucks

Mark Jamar’s long term foot injury has thrown the Melbourne ruck setup in to disarray, nobody is quite sure whether Jake Spencer or John Messen will step up to fill Jamar’s shoes. Jamar is not as young as he used to be and has not made a massive impact in the ruck or around the ground in his career and could easily be replaced in the long term by the Spencer or Messen because of the Dee’s youth focus. Paul Johnson showed more signs of improving last year than Jamar and averaged 14 more points in Dream Team and almost improved by 50% in average Dream Team score from last year. If fit Johnson will play every game this year except if he suffers from a massive slump in form.

Summary/Expected Finish

14th-16th

BEST LINE-UP

If all fit this will be the best line-up for winning matches for the Demons in 2009.

They are a lot of tall backs in that line-up but they are the best players. If there is a team with a short forward line you would obviously choose different players. If you don’t like the line-up leave you line-up or comments below.

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See Also:

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