Demonland

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

Date of Birth: 20 November 1992 Height: 200cm Weight: 101kg Games MFC 2023: 7 Career Total: 169 Goals MFC 2023: 11 Career Total: 353 Games CDFC 2023: 8 Goals CDFC 2023: 11 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Started the season booting nine goals across the opening three rounds, including two bags of four, before missing the match against the Eagles due to back soreness. His injury woes continued to disrupt his season and when he did play, his knees were heavily bandaged. By season’s end, he was battling in the VFL at Casey and failed to come up for the finals. However, by all reports, he is looking fit at early pre season training.

Date of Birth: 26 March 2003 Height: 182cm Weight: 81kg Games MFC 2023: 4 Career Total: 4 Goals MFC 2023: 2 Career Total: 2 Games CDFC 2023: 12 Goals CDFC 2023: 7 The son of 2000 Brownlow medallist Shane, Taj showed great promise on debut late in the season and is expected to make further strides with another solid preseason behind him.

Date of Birth: 18 September 1992 Height: 195cm Weight: 101kg Games MFC 2023: 8 
Career Total: 210
 
 Goals MFC 2023: 9
 Career Total: 166
 Games CDFC 2023: 6 
Goals CDFC 2023: 14 The defender turned forward has seen many ups and downs since his 53-goal season in 2018 followed by a foot injury which he overcame to play a pivotal role in the club’s premiership in 2021. Since then, he has again suffered from foot injuries which curtailed his past two seasons and he struggled to find form in this year’s finals series. Based on the early preseason, he could make a return to defence in 2024.

Works for me.

Date of Birth: 10 August 1993 Height: 194cm Weight: 95kg Games MFC 2023: 9
 Career Total: 177
 
 Goals MFC 2023: 0 
Career Total: 35
 
Games CDFC 2023: 9
 Goals CDFC 2023: 0 Since moving from the GWS Giants as a free agent at the end of 2019, Tomlinson gone through many highs and lows. He established himself in the Demons’ powerful defence early in 2021 but missed out on playing in the flag winning side that year due to an ACL. On return, he has been in and out of the senior team although he often seems to act as it’s lucky charm when played down back with fellow talls Steven May and Jake Lever.

Date of Birth: 21 August 1997 Height: 199cm Weight: 94kg Games MFC 2023: 3
 Career Total: 75
 
 Goals MFC 2023: 1 
Career Total: 79
 
 Games CDFC 2023: 15
 Goals CDFC 2023: 29 Recruited from the Western Bulldogs, the former top ten draft pick saw very little AFL action. He was leading goalkicker for Casey but disappointingly, didn’t make it onto the field when selected as a sub in the Semi Final against the Blues.

Date of Birth: 24 March 2002 Height: 179cm Weight: 79kg Games MFC 2023: 5
 Career Total: 5
 
 Goals MFC 2023: 0 
Career Total: 0
 
 Games CDFC 2023: 15 
 Goals CDFC 2023: 11 Made his AFL debut early in the season and had a few good moments late in the season but still needs to make further steps forward if he is to become a regular senior player.

Date of Birth: 26 October 2003 Height: 182cm Weight: 71kg Games CDFC 2023: 19 Goals CDFC 2023: 20 The club’s Next Generation Academy selection from the NT Thunder has great agility and some excellent skill sets. Showed steady improvement after playing in the Casey Demons’ VFL premiership team last year and signed a new contract in August. Retains his place on the rookie list for next season.

Date of Birth: 2 January 2004 Height: 206cm Weight: 91kg Games CDFC 2023: 8 Goals CDFC 2023: 0 The rangy Category B Rookie with a basketball background spent 2023 learning his craft alternating between the Stingrays in the Coates Talent League and the Casey Demons in the VFL. Still a teenager, he’s developing slowly and still has a fair way to go as is the case with many code hoppers.

Melbourne Demons Lorne training camp: Clayton Oliver goes home, Max Gawn, Christian Petracca | Herald Sun All eyes are on the prize, an all-expenses paid dinner at an exclusive wine bar in the city. There is a surprising urgency in the room given it’s 8.20am and the Melbourne players are preparing themselves for a tgruelling day three of their training camp in Lorne. They were split up into six groups - red, blue, green, yellow, white and purple - when they arrived on Monday and have been battling each other for points through various activities since. The group with the most points by the end of Wednesday gets the dinner which is why all eyes are glued to what the projector has pictured on the wall. Coach Simon Goodwin has set up the trivia challenge which involves listening to audio of famous lines from a movie or TV show. There are a few misses before Peaky Blinders is correctly selected which kicks off wild celebrations. While there is nothing new about group activities at training camps, there is a pointed edge to what the Demons are doing down in the beautiful seaside town. They’ve heard all the rumours, know they’re under siege from the outside and that their reputation has been harmed by off-field issues combined with a second consecutive straight-sets dismissal from the finals. Culture has been the buzz word circling Melbourne and the opening of their doors to the media at the training camp is a step towards trying to send a different message. There is an elephant in the room immediately with no sign of Clayton Oliver. The troubled superstar did travel down to Lorne on Monday but returned back home later that day. He had missed the club’s training session on Saturday and it was decided it was best for him to deal with his on-going issues away from the group. The love for Oliver is obvious among the players and coaches, their support unwavering but they know they have to get on with their own business and hope at some stage ‘Clarry’ comes along for the ride. Regaining the connection which won them the 2021 premiership is what they’re searching for and there is a sense the senior core led by captain Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Steven May, Christian Petracca and Jake Lever are sick of being talked about for the wrong reasons. The two-hour training session at Stribling Reserve ends with a keepings-off drill back in their colour groups. It’s eight on five with the aim to have the most number of possessions sharing the ball while avoiding the pressuring defenders. There is supposed to be no contact but when Viney dumps Kysaiah Pickett, football boss Alan Richardson smiles. He loves watching the competitive beasts and they rise to the top in this exercise. “I couldn’t help myself,” Viney admits later. Assistant coach Mark Williams is doing a victory lap, the team he was mentoring gets the victory and his own competitive instincts means he wants everybody to know about it. Gawn, who attended the birth of his second child just a couple of days earlier, spends most of the session on the bike while there is excitement when favourite son Jake Melksham, who blew out his ACL on the eve of the finals, is out on the track doing some running. After lunch the groups are back in action, with coloured headbands this time, for two hours of activities including running with sandbags, kayaking and ocean swimming. The team building part of the camp is obvious throughout these series of gut-busting exercises and a keen participant is new recruit Jack Billings. He became a forgotten man at St Kilda after two injury-riddled seasons and is hoping to reignite his passion for the game as a Demon. “I always find it challenging being out on the sidelines, but I’ve always loved the game and I think it’s probably in those tougher moments when it makes you reflect and think about why you do it all,” Billings said. “It’s the reason you commit your life to being a professional footballer – I’d say love of the game is what keeps you going during those times. “I’m pretty hungry and motivated for next year and looking forward to being part of the Dees and hopefully contributing.” Billings, 28, has a more pressing engagement on Friday, celebrating his wedding to partner Sarah at Albert Park. For his new teammates, the legacy of Lorne won’t be played out immediately but there is a confidence throughout the Demons hierarchy that the seeds of change have been sown.

Melbourne Demons Lorne training camp: Clayton Oliver goes home, Max Gawn, Christian Petracca | Herald Sun All eyes are on the prize, an all-expenses paid dinner at an exclusive wine bar in the city. There is a surprising urgency in the room given it’s 8.20am and the Melbourne players are preparing themselves for a tgruelling day three of their training camp in Lorne. They were split up into six groups - red, blue, green, yellow, white and purple - when they arrived on Monday and have been battling each other for points through various activities since. The group with the most points by the end of Wednesday gets the dinner which is why all eyes are glued to what the projector has pictured on the wall. Coach Simon Goodwin has set up the trivia challenge which involves listening to audio of famous lines from a movie or TV show. There are a few misses before Peaky Blinders is correctly selected which kicks off wild celebrations. While there is nothing new about group activities at training camps, there is a pointed edge to what the Demons are doing down in the beautiful seaside town. They’ve heard all the rumours, know they’re under siege from the outside and that their reputation has been harmed by off-field issues combined with a second consecutive straight-sets dismissal from the finals. Culture has been the buzz word circling Melbourne and the opening of their doors to the media at the training camp is a step towards trying to send a different message. There is an elephant in the room immediately with no sign of Clayton Oliver. The troubled superstar did travel down to Lorne on Monday but returned back home later that day. He had missed the club’s training session on Saturday and it was decided it was best for him to deal with his on-going issues away from the group. The love for Oliver is obvious among the players and coaches, their support unwavering but they know they have to get on with their own business and hope at some stage ‘Clarry’ comes along for the ride. Regaining the connection which won them the 2021 premiership is what they’re searching for and there is a sense the senior core led by captain Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Steven May, Christian Petracca and Jake Lever are sick of being talked about for the wrong reasons. The two-hour training session at Stribling Reserve ends with a keepings-off drill back in their colour groups. It’s eight on five with the aim to have the most number of possessions sharing the ball while avoiding the pressuring defenders. There is supposed to be no contact but when Viney dumps Kysaiah Pickett, football boss Alan Richardson smiles. He loves watching the competitive beasts and they rise to the top in this exercise. “I couldn’t help myself,” Viney admits later. Assistant coach Mark Williams is doing a victory lap, the team he was mentoring gets the victory and his own competitive instincts means he wants everybody to know about it. Gawn, who attended the birth of his second child just a couple of days earlier, spends most of the session on the bike while there is excitement when favourite son Jake Melksham, who blew out his ACL on the eve of the finals, is out on the track doing some running. After lunch the groups are back in action, with coloured headbands this time, for two hours of activities including running with sandbags, kayaking and ocean swimming. The team building part of the camp is obvious throughout these series of gut-busting exercises and a keen participant is new recruit Jack Billings. He became a forgotten man at St Kilda after two injury-riddled seasons and is hoping to reignite his passion for the game as a Demon. “I always find it challenging being out on the sidelines, but I’ve always loved the game and I think it’s probably in those tougher moments when it makes you reflect and think about why you do it all,” Billings said. “It’s the reason you commit your life to being a professional footballer – I’d say love of the game is what keeps you going during those times. “I’m pretty hungry and motivated for next year and looking forward to being part of the Dees and hopefully contributing.” Billings, 28, has a more pressing engagement on Friday, celebrating his wedding to partner Sarah at Albert Park. For his new teammates, the legacy of Lorne won’t be played out immediately but there is a confidence throughout the Demons hierarchy that the seeds of change have been sown.