Melbourne season preview: Simon Goodwin has his men battle ready and on a strong foundation
BE HAPPY Dees fans! Melbourne’s inconsistent form last year should be attributed to growing pains of a developing side and supporters should be very excited about 2018, writes David King.
Melbourne
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MELBOURNE is the AFL’s box of chocolates. As Forrest Gump would say, “You never know what you’re going to get”.
Last year the Demons missed the finals by two goals in an immature season littered with controversy and suspensions after earlier making some significant gains.
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Melbourne’s best last season was breathtaking, but it was infrequent week to week and spasmodic quarter to quarter.
Often these inconsistencies are flaws, or bugs, common to young teams still learning the mental challenges of elite sport.
They are generally only growing pains and Demon fans should be very excited about 2018. The Demons’ list build via the national draft has been nothing short of brilliant, but more particularly with the trades in the past four to five seasons, including Cam Pedersen, Bernie Vince, Jeff Garlett and Jake Melksham.
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But the past few in Jordan Lewis, Michael Hibberd and Jake Lever have been game-changers.
Hibberd won games with his last-quarter excellence on many occasions last season and it was no surprise to see him rewarded with All-Australian honours.
The Demons have 19 players rated above the AFL average for players relative to their position at their age. Nineteen! This is now a premiership-ready list.
The statement regarding the urgency with which Simon Goodwin moved on Jack Watts has resonated through the group. The standards have shifted and failing to meet the expectations of an elite lifestyle and diligence to detail regarding any form of preparation clearly has consequences.
They are so often words without actions. It’s a bold statement from Goodwin and his coaching crew, but the immature and senseless actions, on and off the field, of 2017 won’t be repeated this season.
Tomas Bugg, Clayton Oliver and Jesse Hogan learnt some valuable lessons last season.
Melbourne was an “outnumber” outfit in 2017, among the best teams at winning contested possessions but only average at clearances, which was a strength the previous season. Strange. They would commit numbers to every contest and work possession via handball to the outside of congestion before going forward.
Loads of possessions, high volume of inside-50 entries, yet the Demons couldn’t score. They were 16th in the league at turning an entry into a score. Hogan has failed to register a goal in six of his past 15 games, despite averaging two goals a game across his career. This season will tell if Hogan is the all-conquering star many predicted only a year ago.
Less trickery and more foundation this season and I’d be staggered if a mature Melbourne didn’t make the eight. I’m tipping a 13-15 win season.
MARK ROBINSON SAYS
WHAT I LIKE
Shopped early and landed Jake Lever to bolster the defence before trading Jack Watts. Makes a strong statement, which means Sam Weideman will finally get his chance.
A fit Max Gawn and Jack Viney will do wonders in the middle, the defence looks much better and Tom McDonald could become a permanent forward. Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, James Harmes, Jayden Hunt, Angus Brayshaw, Mitch Hannan ... if they all elevate together it will be a very good team.
I like Simon Goodwin’s style. He wants hard, contested footy, and despite the blow-up about the boot camp in the pre-season, the Demons will give good opposition. Why did I leave them out of my eight again?
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
Don’t trust them fully just yet. Had opportunities last year and didn’t take them, and I am sure that hasn’t been forgotten over the summer.
The coach wants a ruthless streak and he got it. But suspensions hurt them and, ultimately, they weren’t ruthless enough when it mattered most — at the end of the season.
In fact, losing twice to North before the Collingwood defeat in Round 23 was disappointing. So mental toughness is the query.
On the player front, it’s time Jesse Hogan improves to become a 60-goal forward. Deeply distressing 2017 has to be put behind him and, dare I say it, he earns his money.
VERDICT
Don’t trust them yet.
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