The Dogs have genuine up and coming centre square midfielders, and quite a depth of them, that are hard to get. The Saints have Steven (26 next year) and Armitage (28) who won't get better,

Ummm Armitage went from a serviceable midfielder to potential Brownlow medallist in the last 12 months. There's no reason why he wouldn't continue that trajectory over the next 12 months and beyond.

Steven the same. He is 26 - just entering his prime. Plenty of improvement to go.

Both of these guys are well ahead of our midfield (minus Jones and Vince).

The Saints could be like the Dogs, though. No one saw where they came from.

But I think we have a far better crop of youngsters.

If St Kilda can be the next Dogs, why can't Melbourne?

The Saints had some blowouts like us but they were competitive for longer in more games.

They were competitive because of their senior, GF-era players.

That's not a list for the future, it's a list hanging onto the past.

We were also picked by many to finish last or 17th.

I'd argue we exceeded expectations as well. It's just the whole "bad for a decade" narrative that turns people off praising Melbourne. I think people have higher expectations of Melbourne but simply don't trust them, so play it safe and say they'll be down the bottom again.

Expectations are definitely part of it, and there's no doubt St Kilda has performed far in excess of what was reasonable to expect of them this year. I think we exceeded expectations too.

But I think it's also a respect thing.

With the exception of Stevens, Armatige, Reiwoldt, Bruce and Billings I dont really rate the rest. Cant see them getting much higher than 10th or thereabouts and lower once Reiwoldt retires.

Riewoldt leaving will set them back, but McCartin and Bruce should form a nice combination. Not sure if Bruce is a 2nd ruck though, so they'll need someone in that role. Hickey and Longer are decent ruck prospects but I'm not sure if both can play in the same side especially with 2 big key forwards.

Dempster and Fisher will leave a big hole in their backline, so Carlisle will be a huge get for them. If they get Carlisle to go with Goddard then that's most of their spine sorted.

They have a greater depth of young guys who have stepped up to play some decent footy - Newnes, Webster, Lonie, Sinclair, Savage. A lot of guys who seem to have solid fitness, pace, skills etc to play 2 way footy, so in many games this year they pressured well and also scored. I think they have a lot of guys who are a bit like Billy Stretch or Neal-Bullen in how they are developing in to neat AFL footballers who do a lot of the basics.

No doubt Montagna and Riewoldt contribute heavily to the their ability to move the ball and score. A gun outside accumulator and probably still the best lead up CHF in the game is a huge advantage over us (for now).

Where our advantage lies is I don't think they have:

- A young ruck as good as Gawn

- A young key fwd as good as Hogan

- A young key defender as good as Tom McDonald (although that changes if they get Carlisle)

- Young midfield top end talent or depth (not counting Steven and Armitage) that Viney, Tyson and Brayshaw give us, I prefer our 3 than Dunstal and Weller. Steven and Armitage are younger than Vince and Jones (especially Vince, less so Jones).

- A young back flanker as good as Salem

We need Petracca to be our Billings I think. The half forward who can do it in the air or on the ground. Then we need a 2nd key forward to help Hogan.

Otherwise I'm keen to see what a preseason and a fit bill of health can do for Kent, JKH, Toumpas, Stretch, ANB, White ,O Mc, Harmes, Newton etc as I think with more of these guys playing more regularly we will start to play a more attractive style of footy that regardless of win-loss will get more compliments.

Let's bag St Kilda when we finally win a game against them!

With regards to the St Kilda being the media's love child, Damian Barrett actually had a crack at them last week for their poor finish to the season.

Riewoldt leaving will set them back, but McCartin and Bruce should form a nice combination. Not sure if Bruce is a 2nd ruck though, so they'll need someone in that role. Hickey and Longer are decent ruck prospects but I'm not sure if both can play in the same side especially with 2 big key forwards.

Dempster and Fisher will leave a big hole in their backline, so Carlisle will be a huge get for them. If they get Carlisle to go with Goddard then that's most of their spine sorted.

They have a greater depth of young guys who have stepped up to play some decent footy - Newnes, Webster, Lonie, Sinclair, Savage. A lot of guys who seem to have solid fitness, pace, skills etc to play 2 way footy, so in many games this year they pressured well and also scored. I think they have a lot of guys who are a bit like Billy Stretch or Neal-Bullen in how they are developing in to neat AFL footballers who do a lot of the basics.

No doubt Montagna and Riewoldt contribute heavily to the their ability to move the ball and score. A gun outside accumulator and probably still the best lead up CHF in the game is a huge advantage over us (for now).

Where our advantage lies is I don't think they have:

- A young ruck as good as Gawn

- A young key fwd as good as Hogan

- A young key defender as good as Tom McDonald (although that changes if they get Carlisle)

- Young midfield top end talent or depth (not counting Steven and Armitage) that Viney, Tyson and Brayshaw give us, I prefer our 3 than Dunstal and Weller. Steven and Armitage are younger than Vince and Jones (especially Vince, less so Jones).

- A young back flanker as good as Salem

We need Petracca to be our Billings I think. The half forward who can do it in the air or on the ground. Then we need a 2nd key forward to help Hogan.

Otherwise I'm keen to see what a preseason and a fit bill of health can do for Kent, JKH, Toumpas, Stretch, ANB, White ,O Mc, Harmes, Newton etc as I think with more of these guys playing more regularly we will start to play a more attractive style of footy that regardless of win-loss will get more compliments.

GRRM that was a fantastic review theres a spot fo you in the media