In the next few weeks until the start of the 2009 season on 26th March 2009 we will review in depth every 16 clubs. Other clubs already reviewed are: Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Geelong Cats & Fremantle. Today we review Melbourne Demons.
After Kick2Kick reviews each club, the writers will give their full season 2009 predictions. If you would like to review a team, please contact us.
Jack Watts & Same Blease are two young guns that have the ability to bring Melbourne into a new era
What Happened Last Year
It was their 150th year last year and they acted like a 150 year old dude trying to blow their candles out.
The biggest problem was not finishing last but rather the instability of the board. We had an ex tennis great fighting with ex Melbourne player/ legend Stynes and it still tends to be happening. Why not join together and build rather than tearing their club down never makes sense to me.
On field more injuries to key older players forced many into retirement (Neitz, Robertson, White etc) while the young players struggled as they make a name.
The New Season
Melbourne recruited well with a key position prospect along with some handy midfielder/ forward pocket types. Coach Bailey has probably the hardest job at the moment and with his young players getting another year into them 2009 looks like another hard year for every Demon fan. They will be more competitive than last year but will be little more than a nusicence for most teams.
Likely Finish: 16th
Players to Watch
Ricky Petterd - Almost died playing the game so his attitude is right and with his body standing up he could be anything.
Brock McLean - Reminds me off Kerr, great player but needs an attitude adjustment and some injury luck. He should be the next captain for the Demons and with a stand out year, Brock will take over.
Cale Morton - While needs more meat on him, Cale will still exicte the Dees this year with his run and long kicking. Cale can be the star that the Demons need to build their club back into a force.
Jared Rivers has the potential but must stop getting injured.
Need to Improve
Aaron Davey - Dashed onto the scene a few years back but with injuries and form incosistencies he will need to improve. I like Davey up in the midfield with his willingness to tackle and run with the ball.
Brent Moloney - This guy was a star in the making but due to injuries and the form slide of the team he has become a list clogger.
List Cloggers
Jared Rivers - When fit, one of the better young defenders but again injuries and bad team form has not helped him.
Paul Johnson - Has been on the Demons list for a while but with White retired, has a chance to become a key ruckman. Must take the chance.
Your Views
Can Melbourne ever become a financial and on field force ever again? Are they on the endangered list or will they rebuild with the young list they have at the moment?
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March 12th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I could see Melbourne sneaking up to 14th or so… the key will be they shouldn’t get smashed as often this year.
I hope they cotton wool and really ease some of the newer players in.
James Roses last blog post..2009 NAB Cup grand final teams
March 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
While I agree that Melbourne could sneak up to 14th or so, the only reason I cannot see this happening is that it means one or two teams will need to be worse than the Demons and I fail to see any teams who could be.
Maybe some possible teams could be:
- Sydney as they have the old legs etc but while I see them dropping I do NOT see them dropping to bottom two.
- West Coast will be an obvious choice but with the names of Kennedy, Hurn, Kerr, Cox, Brown, Hunter Glass etc fit and playing 18+ games a season, they have to much talent to finish bottom.
- Fremantle are rebuilding but even they have much more talent than Melbourne with all their baggage of loaded.
- Port, Essendon and Richmond will all improve and become a top 8 chance.
So I just do not see how they could not finish last unless another team has a real stinker of a season.
btw I agree that they should ‘ease’ their future players into the 2009 season. Some can make a difference straight away (Judd) but most need to be eased, lets hope they do not shoot Watts career by rushing him.
Also see McLean has again been suspended by his club, if he can sort out his attitude he will be their captain.
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:59 am
hey jermayn when did mclean get suspended by the club i think u have him confused with colin sylvia lol
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:24 am
Thanks for your comment Brendan…
I was actually meaning Mclean about his previous suspensions and not Sylvia’s current in club suspension.