Coach: Dean Bailey
Captain: James McDonald
Finished 2009: 16th (four wins, 18 losses, no draws)
Best and fairest: Aaron Davey
Leading goalkicker: Russell Robertson (29 goals)
Leading possession winner: Brent Moloney (512)
NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Jack Fitzpatrick Max Gawn, Jordan Gysberts, Tom Scully, Luke Tapscott, Jack Trengove (NAB AFL Draft), Joel Macdonald (NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft), John Meesen *, Michael Newton * (NAB AFL Rookie Draft) - * Redrafted
Off-field: Brad Gotch (Casey Scorpions)
BEST 22
B: Jamie Bennell, James Frawley, Jared Rivers
HB: Joel Macdonald, Matthew Warnock, Jack Grimes
C: Cale Morton, Brent Moloney, Aaron Davey
HF: Brad Green, Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia
F: Austin Wonaeamirri, Matthew Bate, Liam Jurrah
Foll: Mark Jamar, Cameron Bruce, James McDonald
I/C: Jack Trengove, Tom Scully, Nathan Jones, Stef Martin
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
Aaron Davey took his game to another level in 2009, with his exquisite skills, particularly by foot, resulting in his first Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy. His leadership also went to another level and his ability to spark the side is perhaps unrivalled at Melbourne.
UP AND COMER
Jamie Bennell impressed in his first season last year playing 16 matches. Bennell has been earmarked as Melbourne's small, running defender this year, now Matthew Whelan has retired. Internally, the Demons are very excited about his prospects and he will be one to watch in 2010.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Now on the rookie list and with one year remaining on his contract, Michael Newton faces a big 2010. He has played 21 matches in five seasons, but has considerable talent - as highlighted by his ability to take mark of the year in 2007. Melbourne doesn't have a plethora of tall forwards, so there will be opportunities.
CHANGING TACK
With Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan retired, the revamped Melbourne line-up will continue. The forward set-up will continue to evolve, with long-term prospect Jack Watts pivotal to the plans. But how many games he plays, particularly after an interrupted pre-season, remains to be seen this year. Expect reigning top-two draft picks Jack Trengove and Tom Scully to play much of the year, although the club will monitor their workload. Ex-Lion Joel Macdonald will offset the loss of Wheatley and Whelan. The coach has reiterated throughout the pre-season that getting games into younger players and playing them as a consistent group is a priority in 2010.
INJURY LIST
Matthew Bate (quad) - 1-2 weeks
Jack Watts (back) - 1-2 weeks
Colin Garland (foot) - 2 weeks
Cameron Bruce (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Sam Blease (ankle) - 3-4 weeks
Paul Johnson (foot) - 4-6 weeks
Cale Morton (knee) - 8-10 weeks
Luke Tapscott (hip) - 3-4 months
John Meesen (ankle) - indefinite
WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"After winning just 32 quarters last year, winning quarters will be a priority. We've got to be in the game and we've got to be more competitive longer. That's particularly important for our younger players to understand. And after two years of change, progress must be made," Dean Bailey.
CRYSTAL BALL
The Demons may have netted some of the best talent in the land over the past three drafts - think Morton, Grimes, Watts, Scully and Trengove - but patience is still needed. The club has been steadfast on not predicting how many games it will win and it's fair to say it's an unknown anyway, given the club is reigniting for the long haul. Improvement and more victories are a must, but expectations of finals and double-figure wins are post 2010 expectations.
SEASON OPENER
March 27 v Hawthorn at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
