BY THE NUMBERS
HAVE THEY FIXED THE FORWARD LINE?
Demons fans woke in a sweat all through October thinking about those constant long bombs into the forward-50 that were fruitless in two finals defeats. Melbourne’s midfield power meant it regularly won the inside-50 count, but too often last year that didn’t translate to scores.
Jacob van Rooyen is a young pillar to build around, Kysaiah Pickett is a
The Demons conceded a score from just 40 per cent of their opposition entries last season – ranked No.1.
Melbourne launched an inside50 from 20 per cent of D50 chains – ranked 14th.
The Demons ranked No.2 for time in forward half, inside-50 differential and contested possession differential.
Melbourne scored from just 41 per cent of inside-50 entries last season – ranked 14th. star small forward and Bayley Fritsch can kick a bag at any time.
The Dees lured Tom Fullarton from Brisbane as a marking option but a hamstring hit his off-season, while Tom McDonald has been sent to defence.
Melbourne showed improved kicking into the forward half in a preseason win over Carlton and have spent all summer finding easier ways to score.
CAN MAX CARRY THE WEIGHT?
The Brodie Grundy experiment was a failure last year and after having an All-Australian splitting minutes with Max Gawn in 2023, the Demons have a bare cupboard.
Fullarton could provide some ruck support when fit and journeyman Josh Schache was the back-up ruck through pre-season.
If Gawn is fit he is still the best ruck in the game. But asking him to play so many minutes in the middle in his 15th year in the AFL could be asking for trouble.
DO THE NEW FACES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
The Dees threw a lifeline to Jack Billings in the trade period and snagged Fullarton. Later, they brought Marty Hore back on to the list after a couple of years in the VFL. Each could play a role this year but it may be the first-round draftees that make the biggest impact.
Caleb Windsor looks a stud on the wing and the Dees like Koltyn Tholstrup. New energy in a group that has played into September for so many years is vital and some fresh blood could re-energise the Demons.