2018. Anticipation builds after the disappointment at the end of 2017.

After 2 years of inaction in the trade period Melbourne get serious.

Jake Lever is the main target and arrives from Adelaide along with pick 35 and Adelaide's 2018 3rd rounder for Pick 10 and 2018 first and fourrth round picks. Harley Balic arrives from Freo for pick 31. Melbourne is shaping as a destination club.

Jack Trengove is delisted after never properly recovering from a serious foot injury. Liam Hulett, Ben Kennedy Jake Spencer and Mitch White are also delisted.
Colin Garland and Heritier Lumumba retire. 

The National draft sees Charlie Spargo (29), Bailey Fritsch (31), Harrison Petty (37) and Oskar Baker (48) added to the list

Joel Smith is elevated from the rookie list.

No one is selected in the rookie draft.

The list is now starting to gain momentum. Charlie Spargo, Bailey Fritsch and Harrison Petty are added to the list of men still standing along with Jack, T.Mac, the skipper, Salem, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw, Alex Neal-Bullen, Clayton Oliver, Jake Melksham and Joel Smith.

After an up and down season Melbourne miss the top 4 by 1 game with a far superior percentage to 4th placed Hawthorn. Melbourne eliminates both Geelong and Hawthorn in the first 2 weeks of the finals in front of massive crowds at the G. They head to Perth with an air of anticipation. From the first bounce of the preliminary final, Melbourne is well and truly outclassed by the eventual premiers West Coast.
The stage is set for 2019.

Enjoy.
2018 - The Force Awakens 4K ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2dW9dw/i-P9snV5M/A

2018 - The Force Awakens Mbl ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2dW9dw/i-4WcbKNz/A

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2017 - Independance Day 4K ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-ZFSdQC/i-jSKLzqj/A

2017 - Independance Day Mbl ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-ZFSdQC/i-SJT93rr/A

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2016 - Starman mbl ==>https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-Pm7mRh/i-LdCJFFV/A
2016 - Starman  4K ==>https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-nzqkvQm/A
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2015 - Foundation ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-VLMSNqD/A
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2014 – New Hope ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-Wkj43BD/A
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2013 – Annus Horribilis ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MhQnCP/i-bWkHdxp/A

Teaser.

2019 - Armageddon ==> https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-2WM2jz/i-gZSFXmj/A

Great year with lots of hope and joy. Pure elation watching those 2 finals. God I hope we can do it at the G this season and go all the way 🔴🔵🏆

Enjoyable year 2018. Hell of a pre season, seeing Fritta and Petty arriving at the club was exciting too. 

When the Pies beat Richmond in the 2018 prelim, did anyone go to sleep that night with a fleeting thought that 2018 could be our year?

Richmond were absolutely the team to beat in that 2017-2020 era and if felt as though the door was kicked wide open for Pies, WC or us to win the flag.

As others have mentioned, the 2018 finals at the G were amazing nights, particularly the Geelong game. Hopefully in 2024 we can finally once again win a final at the G as it's humiliating to be on the receiving end.

MCG was rocking for those 2 finals. Great nights. Probably the best nights I've had as a Dees supporter.

I made my way to Optus for the prelim. Traumatising experience but 2021 has banished those memories. Optus is now hallowed turf!