Melbourne Demons chasing big name midfielder but will steer clear of Patrick Dangerfield

MELBOURNE wants to hunt another star midfielder in the exchange period but will likely steer clear of Patrick Dangerfield.

Melbourne intra-club match at Casey Fields Nathan Jones Picture:Wayne Ludbey

MELBOURNE wants to hunt another star midfielder in the exchange period but will likely steer clear of Adelaide free agent Patrick Dangerfield.

The Demons confirmed they were paying 100 per cent of the salary cap this season but had the capacity to land another blue-chip midfielder over the next two years.

But the club has all but written off chasing Dangerfield following preliminary inquiries with the superstar’s management.

In a pre-season media briefing yesterday, football manager Josh Mahoney said the Demons believed they were in a stronger position to land new recruits than in recent years, in part due to their improved culture, leadership stocks and development program.

Senior assistant coach Simon Goodwin has the strong support of the club and will take over from senior coach Paul Roos in 2017, despite his involvement in Essendon’s supplement program.

Dom Tyson starred in his first season at Melbourne. Picture: Colleen Petch

Chief executive Peter Jackson is out of contract at season’s end but has also given assurances he will remain at the helm next year.

While Geelong is considered the frontrunner for Dangerfield’s signature, industry sources also believe Collingwood and Hawthorn are in the frame.

There is strong speculation Dangerfield will depart the South Australian club at season’s end, in a move that is tipped to send the Crows’ on a million-dollar recruiting drive to replace the former captain.

The Demons won four games last season and have tried to improve their fluency of ball movement over summer after their lowest scoring season since 1920.

Jack Watts is expected to shift from his midfield role into more of a permanent forward position this season, while out-of-contract utility Jeremy Howe is likely to stay in a defensive berth.

Power forward Jesse Hogan has shrugged of a minor foot concern and was named to play in the Dees’ second NAB Challenge game against Western Bulldogs in Ballarat today.

Watts will also make his first preseason outing after some groin soreness.

No. 3 draft pick Angus Brayshaw, who the Herald Sun revealed had signed a new two-year contract extension on Tuesday, was left out of the squad as he recovers from concussion.

Mature-age draftee Aron Vandenberg remains in the frame for a Round 1 promotion after an impressive debut against Fremantle and will also play the Bulldogs.

Originally published as Melbourne Demons chasing big name midfielder but will steer clear of Patrick Dangerfield