Expected Finish – 14th-16th
Season Preview
Actual Finish – 16th
4 Wins, 18 Losses
The Melbourne Demons had an expectedly bad year at the bottom of the ladder. The Dees struggled with a few injuries, they used the equal most players this year, 40 . Let’s be frank though, the Demons were never going to challenge for the eight this year. Melbourne were rightly accused of tanking this year. The Richmond game serves as the best example of Melbourne’s unwillingness to win. All that aside Melbourne showed that they were definitely among the best teams in the league but with picks one and two in the 2009 AFL draft up their sleeves they are looking pretty for the future.
Backline
As talked about earlier in the year Melbourne has some young players that could end up being the spine of the Demon’s list in the future. The majority of Melbourne’s good young players are backmen. Jack Grimes, James Frawley, Colin Garland, Jamie Bennell, Stefan Martin and Cale Morton all are young players who played well down back this year. The backline is Melbourne’s strength and it will especially be so in the future as these players mature and some of them add some bulk to their frame (I’m looking at you Cale Morton). At least one of the old faithful has done well this year; Jared Rivers played very well against some big power forwards this year. I think the backline can be fairly happy with their achievements this year considering the number of inside 50 entries that opposition’s teams have been allowed.
Midfield
The midfield is one of the Demon’s weak points. They are often beaten around stoppages. The Demons will need to find some more quality midfielders before James McDonald and Cameron Bruce hang up their boots. Nathan Jones is probably the best young player of Melbourne’s midfield, his hard ball gets are something that is lacking by other Demons. Shane Valenti had some cameos this year and Brent Maloney has been quite reliable this year. Unfortunately Davey has been forced to play in the backline or as a less attacking midfielder for parts of the year depleting his ability to be dangerous on the scoreboard. I believe Davey plays his best football on the forward flank and hope that he can play there in the future. Colin Sylvia has had a very good year, he is finally playing almost as well as his talent allows. Luckily Melbourne will get Tom Scully in the draft and that should bolster their stocks. They will also get Brad Green back from injury.
Forwards
What forwards? Jack Watts, although underrated and too quickly judged, is not an instant solution to Melbourne’s forward woes. Ruckmen have been made to play forward to increase the height and bulk of Melbourne’s forward structure, to occasional avail. Russell Robertson has ‘retired’ and that leaves a gaping whole for Liam Jurrah to fill. Miller has been okay this year and probably will hold on to his spot until the Demons can find a centre half forward. I would like to see Colin Sylvia play CHF but can’t see it happening next year with our midfield troubles. Neville Jetta has been okay for a first year player. Matthew Bate continues to lead and lead again but never making a big difference.
Rucks
Melbourne can’t decide what to do with their ruck division. Sometimes Stephan Martin is rucking, sometimes not. Mark Jamar and Paul Johnson seem to cycle through the team with little to no reason why they should be dropped or selected. Jake Spencer looks as uncoordinated as ever and really needs to start looking like a footballer soon. The rucks did okay this year, but I am a bit worried about their consistency and ability to shut down the Sandilands and Cox’s of the world.
What is needed?
The Dees need a midfielder the most, with the retirements most likely in 2010 of James McDonald and Cameron Bruce. I still hold out hope for the young and still developing Jack Watts, but it might be a good idea to use their second round pick to get a big forward. I think pick two should be used on the next best player and if they don’t fit in to the future team then we can trade them. Some of the players need a big preseason to put on some muscle because occasionally the Melbourne players look like boys playing with men.
Looking Forward
The Demons actually don’t look very bad going forward. They should improve on this year’s performance and should be pushing for the eight in 2011 and be premiership hopefuls in 2012. The big variables there is how good can the AFL and the GC17 and the West Sydney administrations make those teams in those time periods. I think Melbourne have timed their bottoming out quite well. You haven’t seen the end of the Demons yet.
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