I did a thread a couple of years ago detailing how sides are defined by their senior players and their fortunes tied to theirs (senior/prime: 23+ year olds with 70+ games experience):

http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29466-the-outlook-senior-players-in-2012/

There were two aspects;

• where they are placed with regard to the rest of the competition
• and how they fare in their Pre Season as preparation for the season is a massive indicator of a players season

In 2012 we had: Green, Moloney, Rivers, Davey, Sylvia, Jamar, MacDonald, Batram, Bate, Dunn, Frawley, Jones and Clark.

8 of those 13 were in the last year or second last year.

In 2014 we have: Cross, Jones, Jamar, Vince, Byrnes, Frawley, Dunn, Garland, Clark, Dawes, Trengove, Watts, McKenzie, and Grimes.

Only 5 of the 14 look like they could be in their last or penultimate season. Those bolded battled bad form and injuries in 2013.

Now, how this group compares to the rest of the AFL is subjective but I just wanted to point out how much this group has been improved over the last two years.

How they fare this pre-season will determine how much we can improve.

Where do they sit in the AFL?

Get them fit and find out I guess...

Who are you suggesting makes up the 5 in their last or second last season? I can see Jamar, Cross and Byrnes. And I would put Dunn and Mckenzie as maybes based on form rather than age although both could yet find something to extend their Melbourne careers. Is that the same as yours? Or do you have Vince, or someone else, in your 5?

The same.