2024 MFC Season Preview

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Shouldn't she be saying "There are" or "There have"  if she's referring to a plural?

Technically, yes. But as is the case with many rules of grammar, it no longer strictly applies. 

[leave it to deever 17,517]

On 26/12/2023 at 09:40, Demonland said:

Melbourne 2024 preview: How added X-factor, hunger will help Demons rebound after consecutive finals losses

The Demons’ post-season has had more drama than a Taylor Swift break-up album, following a second consecutive straight-sets exit. LAUREN WOOD examines their prospects for 2024.

A second consecutive straight-sets exit and more post-season drama than a Taylor Swift break-up album has the spotlight firmly on the Demons in 2024. There’s been questions about culture, star midfielder Clayton Oliver under the microscope, cheeky swipes from Steven May at the B & F and more boardroom battles, but on-field is where they will be looking to exorcise their finals demons.

The Brodie Grundy experiment might have failed but having the endless talk about his future removed will be handy, while draftee Koltyn Tholstrup comes in with big wraps.

MELBOURNE

Coach: Simon Goodwin

Captain: Max Gawn

What happened in 2023?

It really was a season of missed opportunities for the Demons, who made the finals despite plenty not going their way.

They built a bank of early victories and were evenly split for results in close games as they tinkered with their forward setup in the absence of a key target.

Oliver was missing for large chunks due to injury, while the Gawn-Grundy ruck experiment was dead in the water by the second half of the season.

The team finished fourth on the ladder with a 16-7 record but crashed out of the finals in unspectacular fashion, leaving the Demons without a finals victory since their 2021 triumph.

Need to rectify things when the pressure reaches fever pitch.

Where do they finish in 2024?

While there’s been a few chops and changes in the trade period and additions in the draft, the spine of the team remains and it’s hard to see them dropping too far away.

Not sure they would have “smoked” Collingwood – as May put it so bluntly – in the grand final, but they’re definitely capable of more than consecutive straight-sets finals exits.

The spotlight will follow Clayton Oliver after his off-season issues, along with coach Simon Goodwin who was forced to go on the defence in a lengthy radio interview after the season had ended, defending the club’s culture and handling of a positive drug test for forward Joel Smith.

They were dominant in defence with May and Jake Lever absolute pillars, but need to sharpen offensively to gain that edge.

Delivered figures of 16.28 in front of goal in their last two outings – the Dees need to flip that script urgently.

Biggest improver in 2024?

Jacob Van Rooyen broke out and should only improve again to be a vital tall alongside a hopefully-fit Harrison Petty.

Draftee Koltyn Tholstrup will be a very close watch as is considered by those in the know to have been performing strongly to begin his first AFL pre-season.

Expect Judd McVee to take the next step after a full season at the level, with his body and game nous to only build next year.

MELBOURNE'S BEST 23

FB T. Rivers, S. May, A. Tomlinson
HB J. McVee, J. Lever, C. Salem
C L. Hunter, C. Oliver, E. Langdon
HF C. Spargo, B. Fritsch, A. Neal-Bullen
F J. Van Rooyen, H. Petty, S. McAdam
Foll M. Gawn, C. Petracca, J. Viney
Inter J. Bowey, T. Sparrow, A. Brayshaw, K. Chandler, J. Billings (sub)

X-factor

Shane McAdam should slot straight in after moving from Adelaide during the trade period, and is already mentoring draftee Tholstrup as they both settle into their respective lives as Demons.

If McAdam can find consistency and the team’s forwards stay fit, it could go a long way to unlocking the team’s offensive problems it has faced over recent months.

Clayton Oliver is one of the most electric players in the competition and if he can get things sorted, will be a more than handy addition for coach Simon Goodwin. Talk about an understatement.

Coach status

Simon Goodwin signed a two-year deal on the eve of the finals that sees him at the club until the end of 2026.

The new deal came amid more conjecture about the club’s culture and reported behavioural issues that had been said to have been raised at board level, but the Demons’ faith has seemingly unwavered in their man.

Who is in last year of contract?

Adam Tomlinson, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Bailey Laurie, Ben Brown, Daniel Turner, Ed Langdon, Jake Bowey, Jake Melksham, Jed Adams, Joel Smith, Josh Schache, Kyah Farris-White, Kynan Brown, Lachie Hunter, Marty Hore, Oliver Sestan, Tom McDonald, Tom Sparrow, Will Verrall

Outs for 2024

More Coverage

Luke Dunstan (retired), Brodie Grundy (trade, Sydney), James Harmes (trade, Western Bulldogs), Michael Hibberd (retired), James Jordon (free agent, Sydney), Deakyn Smith (delisted), Kye Turner (delisted)

Ins for 2024

Jack Billings (trade, St Kilda), Kynan Brown (Rookie Draft, father-son), Tom Fullarton (trade, Brisbane), Marty Hore (SSP, Williamstown VFL), Shane McAdam (trade, Adelaide), Koltyn Tholstrup (No. 13 draft pick), Caleb Windsor (No. 7 draft pick)

Melbourne's first six games

Rd 1 Western Bulldogs @ MCG (W)
Rd 2 Hawthorn @ MCG (W)
Rd 3 Port Adelaide @ AO (L)
Rd 4 Adelaide @ AO (W)
Rd 5 Brisbane @ MCG (L)
Rd 6 BYE

Interesting choice of best.

It accounts for quite a bit

In the backline Salem returned on a blaze of glory and then quickly faded away.

Tommo was short changed in terms of selection ......big time.

Oliver, Langdon and Hunter all had very much less than stellar seasons. No arguments about that. 

Then we have Petty and Fritta' struggling big time with significant foot injuries.

Anb was down on form as was Kozzie.so in the scheme of things it really was an incredible effort that we did so well.

 

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by leave it to deever

[Roost it far 8,594]

After this years finals my faith in this team to deliver has faded. Anything other than a Flag is a fail from me. May, Petty (forward), Gawn, Fritsch and Petracca need to play the last 12 games unhindered and we’re a chance. Lose one or more of them and we’re cooked. 

[pitmaster 3,578]

7 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Far be it from me to voluntarily defend an Essendon supporter, but in this case the author isn’t guilty of a grammatical error. “There’s” is a contraction. It represents “There is” but it also represents “There has” (as is the case in your quote above). What she is guilty of is slapping together an ill-researched article and, worse still, barracking for that vomitous team. 🤢 

Sorry, but you're mistaken. Yes "there's" is a contraction but as there are "questions" the verb form must be plural. Not as in "there has been questions'" but as in "there have been questions".

Ditto for "chops and changes". Plural once again since the reference is to changes, so the contraction should be "there've been chops and changes".

Now don't go defending bomber supporters again.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,878]

On 26/12/2023 at 10:05, WalkingCivilWar said:

Opening Round doesn’t count?

They haven't called is zero Rd for no reason.

[David-Demon 568]

On 25/12/2023 at 18:15, Pulp Fritschon said:

Kozzie doesn’t make the best 23……

He is suspended for round zero.

[spirit of norm smith 16,588]

⭐️Stars: Petracca.  Gawn.  Viney. Oliver. May

💪🏼The Core:  Fritsch. Lever. Langdon. Petty. Rivers.  ANB.  Bowey. Salem. McVee. Sparrow. Hunter. 

☄️The wildcards.  Pickett.  McAdam 

💂‍♀️The foot soldiers.  Chandler. Billings. Tomlinson. Spargo. Laurie. Turner. Fullarton. Hore. Schache. 

👍🏻On the rise.  JVR. Howes. 

The veterans. BenBrown.TMCD. Melksham. 

Development (1-2 years).  Jefferson. Adams.  AMW. Verrell. Sestan. Windsor. Tholstrup. KBrown. 

*JSmith*
 

I have to say the standout has been Caleb Windsor.  He’s first 5 games have been consistently good. A great start for the young man.  

Edited April 7 by spirit of norm smith
O

[Whispering_Jack 30,664]

It’s interesting that after five matches, a number of our supposed best 23 have hardly graced the field of play or not appeared at all. In addition, there are a few who have played in circumstances where they aren’t close to full fitness (eg May - ribs, Oliver - hand). And one or two of the younger brigade are getting closer to selection.

Which means that there’s still a lot of improvement left in the coming months.

[Mister Ed 317]

9 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

It’s interesting that after five matches, a number of our supposed best 23 have hardly graced the field of play or not appeared at all. In addition, there are a few who have played in circumstances where they aren’t close to full fitness (eg May - ribs, Oliver - hand). And one or two of the younger brigade are getting closer to selection.

Which means that there’s still a lot of improvement left in the coming months.

Also, we’ve played 3 of our total of 7 games interstate this year.