Melbourne
Coach - Paul Roos
2014 -
Points for - 18th
Points Against - 12th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Nathan Jones
- Dom Tyson
- Bernie Vince
- Lyndon Dunn
- Daniel Cross
2013/2014 Rising Star Noms
Jack Viney
Ins
Jeff Garlett, Hertier Lumumba, Sam Frost, Ben Newton, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, Oscar McDonald, Aaron Vandenberg (rk), Mitchell White (rk)
Outs
James Frawley, Mitch Clark, Shannon Byrnes, Dom Barry, Mitch Clisby, Daniel Nicholson, James Strauss, Sam Blease, Luke Tapscott, Michael Evans, Alex Georgiou
My prediction
I am not one that buys into the whole Roos mythology, he is clearly a good coach and had great results at Sydney but they have continued that without him as well. That being said, there as clearly an improvement in their game last year, maybe not as much as people would have liked but they tidied their defense up despite what I am sure will be a greater focus on attack this year I am not sure on where the improvement will come from.
They have cleaned out the list and lost a couple of good players and a lot of very average AFL footballers. They have again had the benefit of early picks which at some stage they will have to get right. Lets hope for their sake they develop Petracca and Brayshaw well as they should be exactly what Scully and Trengove were supposed to be all those years ago.
Frawley is clearly a loss but not one they cant cover. Clearly Frost and Lumumba have been brought in to cover that. Garlett will bring excitement but there isnt a lot for a small forward to do without a good big man to play under.
I think clearly it ill be another development year for the Demons. I think they will improve on 2014 but not enough to be a genuine threat to anyone. I think they will finish in the 16-17 area but with a lot to look forward to.