It’s been a rough old off season for the Demons. The Clayton Oliver media circus has continued throughout, but that has recently taken a back seat after Joel Smith was accused of drug trafficking by ASADA. Perhaps it’s irrelevant, but it’s worth noting that in this sense ‘trafficking’ doesn’t necessarily refer to bringing in hoards of drugs across the border, as it is typically used, but nonetheless his AFL career is likely done. But it’s not all doom and gloom. For all of the off-field turmoil, the fact remains that the Dees are a really damn good footy team. Of course, not aiding the persistent calls of “culture” which invariably come with the aforementioned issues is the fact that they have been bundled out in straight sets after finishing top four in the past two years, having won the flag the year prior in 2021. They have been hugely disappointing finishes, though it is worth noting that they could very easily have won both of the finals they played in last year, and though winning close games is an art in itself, the narrative surrounding them could have been entirely different if a couple of moments had played out differently. In the lead-up to the season, as if they needed any more drama, they were also rocked by the abrupt retirement of Angus Brayshaw due to repeated head knocks, but with Christian Petracca, (hopefully) Clayton Oliver, Max Gawn and Jack Viney, their midfield remains among the best in the game, while their backline is led by arguably the best full back in the league in Steven May. Their forward line remains their weakest link, and will no doubt be the focus of plenty of discussion throughout the course of the year, but they are very capable of getting the ball in there plenty while they can also stifle opposition scoring as well as nearly any team in the league. Jacob van Rooyen may well have a huge say in their season – if he can come on, it will just about complete one of the most talented teams in the league. Off the field plenty has been going wrong for Melbourne, but on it, there is no reason to think that they can’t contend once again this season.
- What brings them here? It’s now been three consecutive years that the Demons have finished top four, and with one of the better lists in the competition there is no reason to think they won’t remain there in 2024.
- What has changed? The Dees have lost a few names; Brodie Grundy has found hopefully a more suitable home in Sydney where James Jordon will join him, James Harmes was traded to the Dogs and Michael Hibberd retired. Most significant is the aforementioned loss of Angus Brayshaw, who retired on the eve of the season. Coming in, however, are a couple of solid names, with Jack Billings coming across from St Kilda and Shane McAdam from the Crows, while Tom Fullarton boosts their ruck stocks.
- Injury update: The Dees actually have a few names on their injury list heading into the season. Jake Melksham will miss the rest of the season after doing his ACL late in 2023, Ben Brown is TBC with a knee, Clayton Oliver and Joel Smith have the aforementioned issues going on, Kossy Pickett will miss the season opener through suspension, while Lachie Hunter is a test for Round 1.