Best 22 – round one
B: Neville Jetta, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Lewis
HB: Jayden Hunt, Jake Lever, Michael Hibberd
C: Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones, James Harmes
HF: Jake Melksham, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Bayley Fritsch
Foll: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Christian Salem
Int: Alex Neal-Bullen, Corey Maynard, Angus Brayshaw, Bernie Vince
Emg: Mitch Hannan, Tomas Bugg, Cameron Pedersen, Billy Stretch
2017 best and fairest top three
1. Clayton Oliver
2. Jack Viney
3. Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis (tied)
Fans' season previews: Melbourne
Injury list
Jack Viney has been ruled out of round one due to a persistent foot injury, while key forward Tom McDonald faces a test to get up for the game against the Cats after battling a toe injury. Veteran Jordan Lewis is expected to play despite a calf strain. Alex Neal-Bullen (quad) is also available. Pat McKenna (hamstring) and Aaron vandenBerg (heel/ankle) are the Demons' long-term injury concerns.
The big questions
1. Can the Demons deal with rising expectations and make finals? With many tipping the Dees to rise up the ladder after the disappointment of last season, how they deal with that increased pressure will be key to their September hopes.
2. How much of an impact will Max Gawn's return have on the team? Gawn is Melbourne's most important player and having him fit and available is a huge fillip for a team that already thrives on contested ball.
3. Which young players will step up? The onus will be on Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Christian Salem, Jesse Hogan and Jake Lever to set the standards and produce at a consistently high level.
Big things are expected of Christian Petracca. Picture: AFLPhotos
Look for…
Christian Salem to live up to his potential and become an elite AFL player. A shift into an inside midfield role will suit Salem who has been robbed of continuity over the past few seasons. The 22-year-old plays his best football in the midfield, where his expert ball use and sharp decision making are allowed to come to the fore. Put in a pile of work in the pre-season to get his body AFL-midfield ready.
Who they play
Melbourne has a major test in round one against Geelong, a preliminary finalist from last year, which could help determine whether the Demons are a legitimate finals contender this season. They have winnable games against Brisbane and North Melbourne to follow so it will be important to get off to a good start. The Demons have one Friday night in their schedule and their marquee Anzac Eve game against Richmond, which will be important from a commercial point of view.
Check out every club's season preview
Fantasy cash cow
Bayley Fritsch. The young forward (FWD, $210,000) looms as a likely round one debutant after a stellar pre-season and excellent JLT Community Series. Fritsch booted 42 goals in 19 games for Casey in the VFL last year and is a proven goalkicker. He has an outstanding vertical leap and is just as crafty at ground level. Should be a certain starter in your fantasy team.
Sudden impact
Fritsch looks like being Melbourne's first debutant, but fellow draft picks Charlie Spargo, Harrison Petty and Oskar Baker are all tracking nicely. Spargo is a chance to play some senior footy later in the year after overcoming a shoulder injury. As a key defender, Petty may take a little longer to develop, while Baker's kicking skills and pace have been impressive across the pre-season. He has a tonne of x-factor.
It's crunch time for…
Bernie Vince. The veteran is likely to start the year in the senior team but will need to maintain a high level of performance to remain in the side. Vince, 32, is the oldest player on Melbourne's list and is looking to achieve the ultimate success in what is likely to be the final year of his AFL career.
It may be one final fling for veteran Bernie Vince in 2018. Picture: AFL Photos
Pressure rating on the coach
Simon says some Good wins will release the pressure valve. Goodwin is in the third year of a five-year deal and he has the players at his disposal to make finals. Now is the time to deliver.
The 2017 habit the Demons must kick…
Losing games which they are expected to win. It might seem simple but Melbourne has struggled in the past to close out games which it should win. The Demons need to iron out their inconsistencies in-game (drop-offs in quarters hurt desperately last year) and between games to become a legitimate finals threat.
The Demons will have a good year if…
Melbourne's young players rise to the occasion and develop quicker than what has been projected. Christian Petracca looks set to be an A-grader and could reach that status as soon as this year, while Clayton Oliver could get even better and should be in All Australian contention. Jake Lever's arrival will make the Demons better defensively, which is an important phase in the club's development.
They’re in trouble if …
Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan go down with injury again. The Demons demonstrated last year that they could win games without Gawn and Hogan, but can they be a legitimate contender if they miss an extended period of time?
Pass mark
Melbourne should play finals in 2018 and anything less than that should be seen as a failure. The Demons have the players in the right age demographic and the depth on their list to be part of September action.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: Sixth
Player Ratings star
Max Gawn is the club's highest ranked player in the Schick AFL Player Ratings. Despite a year where he played just 13 games due to a hamstring injury, Gawn's rise over a two-year period was difficult to ignore.
