Nathan Jones believes Melbourne Demons list is ready to climb AFL ladder

MELBOURNE has promised to play with more speed and flair this year as it attempts to emerge from its worst scoring season in almost a century.

MELBOURNE LEADERSHIP GROUP

MELBOURNE has promised to play with more speed and flair this year as it attempts to emerge from its worst scoring season in almost a century.

The Demons have taken inspiration from Hawthorn’s scintillating ball movement, with coach Paul Roos encouraging his troops to take more risks through the centre of the ground.

AMBITIOUS DEMONS WANT TO PLAY FINALS IN 2016

The Demons made significant defensive improvements last season but their scoring output slumped to an average 66.1 points per game — their lowest since 1920.

But with Melbourne publicly declaring it would aim for finals in 2016, captain Nathan Jones said he was confident the Demons’ bolstered list “has got some substance to it now”.

Father-son selection Billy Stretch leads the time trial. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

Jones, who said the team reached “a turning point” on the club’s preseason camp to Mooloolaba last month, was adamant the Demons would be “not as conservative” with the ball in hand next season.

“The faster you can get it in and use your forwards one-on-one, it just allows you to score,” Jones said at the launch of New Balance’s new football boot line.

“Roosy is happy for us to use anything, as long as we get it down there quick.

“But there is no real one-thing-fits-all (system). It’s more just (finding the) best option and creating those options and utilising when you have got a spare around the ball.

“When you watch Hawthorn, there is no real pattern, but they seem to find the easy target and move it all the way down the ground really fast.

“And it’s a credit to them how they work together as a team, that’s what we’ve been really working on.”

According to Champion Data’s 2015 AFL Prospectus, the Demons averaged 11.6 less inside 50 entries than their opposition, ranked last in the league.

Gun recruits Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca train at Gosch’s Paddock. Picture: Colleen Petch

Jones was confident the Demons had the potency in attack to kick winning scores, with 195cm powerhouse forward Jesse Hogan on track to line up alongside goalkickers Chris Dawes, Jeremy Howe, Jeff Garlett and Jay Kennedy-Harris in the Round 1 clash against Gold Coast at the MCG.

Jones said Melbourne’s top draft picks Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw were also firming for early-season debuts as the pair continue impressive pre seasons.

“I don’t have any doubt both of those guys will play some footy this year and will make an impact,” Jones told the Herald Sun.

“They will be very exciting for our fans and I’m excited to run out there with them.

“They are made of the right stuff and the kind of character that we want and they will be good players for us.”

While the club was careful not to overburden its youngsters, Jones said it was clear Petracca, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, had imposing physical qualities.

“To be 19 years of age and be 94 kilos and 188cm, well, I feel like I’m a midget,” Jones said.

“He is a super-powerful half forward, good mark, good kick, competitive and he loves — and it’s something I love about both of them (Petracca and Brayshaw), and you don’t see it much coming from under 18s — that defensive side of the game.

“They have both locked into it straight away, laying tackles and transition.”

Originally published as Nathan Jones believes Melbourne Demons list is ready to climb AFL ladder