Melbourne season preview: Season predictions for the Demons

With most of their star players in their prime the Demons will be back for another flag push, but here is the stat that shows they’ll be pushing for years to come.

It was finally a high-flying flag for the Demons, who broke a 57-year premiership drought to claim the club’s first premiership since 1964.

Melbourne positioned itself for its flag assault after claiming the minor premiership and surged to the team’s first Grand Final in 21 years after big wins over the Brisbane Lions and Geelong before smashing the Western Bulldogs by 74 points in the decider.

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Christian Petracca claimed the Norm Smith Medal in a season littered with accolades for the Demons, including the Rising Star (Luke Jackson) and five All-Australians (captain Max Gawn, Steven May, Jake Lever, Clayton Oliver and Petracca) and the AFL Coaches Association coach of the year, Simon Goodwin.

Rebecca Williams looks at their chances of going back-to-back in 2022.

Max Gawn is among the AFL’s best captains — and he has a flag to prove it. Picture: Michael Klein

Coach: Simon Goodwin

Captain: Max Gawn

WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2022?

With their premiership list intact and most of their star players in the prime of their careers, the Demons should easily back-up for another flag push.

All of the Demons premiership players are re-signed for 2022 and they will have the likes of Jayden Hunt, Adam Tomlinson and Sam Weideman pushing to get in.

According to Champion Data, the Demons’ premiership team had a list age demographic of 24.8 – the youngest since the Western Bulldogs in 2016 – indicating there is still plenty of growth in the team.

Can Alex Neal-Bullen take his name to another level in 2022? Picture: Michael Klein

BIGGEST IMPROVER

After playing just the seven senior games in 2020, Alex Neal-Bullen solidified his place in the Melbourne line-up to play every game for the Demons in their premiership charge. The forward kicked 15 goals for the year and had 24 disposals and one major in the Grand Final. Arguably the Demons’ biggest improver, Neal-Bullen rated elite as a forward for disposals, contested possessions, forward-half pressure points and tackles and above average for forward 50 ground ball gets.

X-FACTOR

Sam Weideman. After turning his back on interest from Collingwood, the 24-year-old recommitted to the Demons on a two-year deal in September. He played just the five senior games in 2021 and didn’t appear after Round 13 as Ben Brown, Tom McDonald and Luke Jackson were favoured ahead of him. Weideman has kicked 49 goals across six seasons with the Demons and will be fighting for a place in Simon Goodwin’s side, ready to pounce if Brown or McDonald’s form falls over.

Sam Weideman is one of Melbourne’s most intriguing 2022 questions. Picture: AFL Photos

COACH STATUS

After leading Melbourne to its first flag in 57 years, the Demons won’t be letting Goodwin go anywhere. As it stands, he is contracted until the end of 2022 but the club is working on extending his tenure before then. The Demons are in negotiations with Goodwin’s management for a new contract and he’s in a strong position to command a good deal after finally bringing the premiership cup home.

You’d be smiling too, if your team just won the AFL premiership. Picture: Michael Klein

WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT

Angus Brayshaw (restricted free agent), Bailey Laurie, Charlie Spargo, Fraser Rosman, Jake Melksham, Jayden Hunt (restricted free agent), Joel Smith, Luke Jackson, Majak Daw, Michael Hibberd, Tom Sparrow.

MELBOURNE’S BEST 22 IN '22

B: Hibberd, May, Lever
HB: Rivers, Petty, Salem
C: Brayshaw, Petracca, Langdon
HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Sparrow
F: Spargo, Brown, Fritsch
Foll: Gawn, Oliver, Viney
Int: Harmes, Jackson, Bowey, Pickett
Sub: Jordon/Hunt 

INS FOR 2022

Luke Dunstan (free agent – St Kilda), Jacob van Rooyen (pick 19), Blake Howes (39), Taj Woewodin (65), Judd McVee (rookie), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (category B rookie)

OUTS FOR 2022

Austin Bradtke (delisted), Kye Declase (delisted), Marty Hore (delisted), Neville Jetta (retired), Nathan Jones (retired), Jay Lockhart (delisted), Aaron Nietschke (delisted), Aaron vandenBerg (retired)

FIRST SIX GAMES AND HOW MANY THEY WIN

Round 1: Western Bulldogs @ (W)

Round 2: Gold Coast @ Metricon Stadium (W)

Round 3: Essendon @ MCG (W)

Round 4: Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval (L)

Round 5: GWS @ MCG (W)

Round 6: Richmond @ MCG (W)

Prediction: 5 wins, 1 loss

Originally published as Melbourne season preview: Season predictions for the Demons