leave it to deever

It’s been 10 years since Melbourne last played finals football — that was under the tutelage of 10 year coach Neale Daniher — since then Melbourne fans have experienced pain — “winning” back-to-back wooden spoons in 2008 and 2009, and wining only 34 matches out of a possible 154 from 2007-2013.

These days, however, Melbourne’s list possesses some of the most exciting youngsters in the game — and the competition must take notice.

After years of toiling away with little support, skipper Nathan Jones finally appears free from carrying the load on his own.

Melbourne’s addition of Bernie Vince was inspired, seeing him claim the Keith “Bluey” Truscott Medal in 2015 as Melbourne’s best and fairest.

While Jones and Vince are the experience heads their fellow midfielders are relatively new to senior football.

Max Gawn is arguably one of the best ruckman in the competition, leading the AFL for hit-outs with 359 — shouldering the ruck burden on his own while delivering silver service to his midfield.

Jack Viney is already a star of the AFL ranked No. 2 for tackles, No. 7 for contested possession andNo. 3 for clearances. He lives for playing tough footy and epitomises everything in a player Paul Roos wants in red and blue.

And he’s not alone Melbourne has already claimed three Rising Star nominations in the first nine rounds of 2016 — with Clayton Oliver, James Harmes and Christan Petracca showing glimpses of what Demons fans are in store for — they all look to have something special.

On the weekend, South Aussie father-son selection Billy Stretch played his best game of his short 15-game career, winning 31 disposals and kicking a goal ... and he’ll improve.

Then there’s former Giants Dom Tyson and Thomas Bugg, who Melbourne traded in over the past few seasons — both with prodigious talent.

Let’s not forget Angus Brayshaw who burst onto the scene last season playing 21 senior matches — only to be unluckily restricted this year with knee and concussion issues.

It doesn’t stop there — behind the ball Melbourne’s back half looks solid, anchored by key defender Tom McDonald.

And in the front half, Jack Watts looks to have finally found his niche across half forward — while Jeff Gartlett (ex Carlton) and Jesse Hogan play deeper.

Hogan is something special. He’s go the lot: moves well, works hard, is competitive and can contested mark as well as anyone in the game. On the weekend he buried Brisbane by himself, kicking five goals, and the football world is the 21-year-old’s oyster.

What makes Melbourne’s scoring even more impressive is their spread of goalkickers — they currently rank No. 1 the AFL with an average of nine individual contributors a game.

Early on, Paul Roos copped criticism for being too defensive and using an outdated game plan that struggled to score. But what Roos was doing was establishing the new competitive standard at Melbourne with his defence-first philosophy.

While it didn’t correlate to early wins, it has laid a rock solid foundation for success.

Naturally players know how to attack, that’s why he had to go back to defence to go forward. What we’re seeing now is a slow release of the defensive reins to attack more — while not compromising their team defence and competitiveness.

Sure they still get the occasional touch up, but when Simon Goodwin takes the reins as senior coach in 2017 he will inherit a well-educated and drilled team three years in the making.

Its impossible to ignore GWS’ talented team as a football powerhouse — it’s smacking us straight in the face.

But assuming it keeps their crop of young stars, Melbourne is set to follow suit and soar — the Demons cannot be ignored and as their club songs say “Keep your eye on the red and the blue”

Ignore them at your own pe

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