Demonland

Melbourne How does the age and games played stack up? The list demographics suggest the Demons are in the premiership window. This year only three teams were less experienced on average (65.7 games) and just four were younger (23 years). The average premier's numbers from the past decade are 66.1 and 23.6, respectively. Jordan Lewis has retired and Jeff Garlett was delisted, so Melbourne might dip or remain similar in age and experience. Do they have enough quality? Just two Demons finished with 'elite' status after four started that way. There is potential for more than just Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver to be placed in this class. Players such as Tom McDonald, Steven May, Jake Lever, Christian Salem, Jake Melksham, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw should be better next season – and must be if Melbourne is to improve. What do the numbers say about the way they play? Only Gold Coast was worse in coughing up points and scoring from forward-half turnovers, and the Dees were mid-table in differential for post-clearance groundball-gets and inside 50s. This is a team that openly builds from the contest out, but went from near-record numbers in the clinches a season ago to being a bit better than average in that department in 2019. Is their premiership window open? Ajar, and could be opening further. The list demographics and what Melbourne produced in the 2018 finals – despite the dreadful campaign this year – mean there is still some optimism for next season and beyond. – Marc McGowan

Melbourne midfielder Billy Stretch could be Gold Coast bound. A report in the Herald Sun suggests the 23-year-old doesn’t have a secure spot on the Demons’ list, with the club telling him they will be waiting until after the trade period to organise a new contract.

Big Willie is in trouble over a second test.

Late to the party:

Which trumps which? Father-son or Academy?

And now a word from ...

Looks good in a Dees jumper.

Coniglio already ruled out from returning and now Lachie Whitfield a confirmed out due to appendix surgery. Collingwood Bradburying it in to the Grand Final?

Look at all those names we poo pooed to get Morton. We're our own worst enemy.

Not Dees exactly related but interesting that the bombers are going down the succession plan route.

It's Official.

I'll allow it.

The Jesse Hogan trade Fremantle gets Hogan and pick 65 Melbourne gets pick six and 23 Winning: Melbourne Hogan is yet to get his body right so on the face value of just pick six and 23 for the key forward, it's the Demons in front. Separately, the Demons delivered pick six for Steven May who's yet to work and Hogan has three years up his sleeve on May to prove the Demons wrong. The Steven May trade Melbourne gets May and Kade Kolodjashnij Gold Coast gets pick six Winning: Gold Coast Steven May's lack of pre-season conditioning came back to haunt him during the season, finishing with eight games to his name. Kolodjashnij, the steak knives in the deal, also managed two AFL matches before concussion again took its toll. After 12 months the Suns are ahead with their selection with pick six, tall forward Ben King, looking a 15-year key-position prospect. Now they've just got to find a way to convince him to stay beyond 2020.

A visual representation of 2018 to 2019.