NEW MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says anything is possible in 2008 despite development being a strong focus for his young squad.

Just 11 Demons have 65 or more games experience leading into the season which leaves plenty of upside for the club.

“Our focus is really trying to improve our players' development,” Bailey said.

“Who knows how many games we're going to win? I don't know, neither do you.

“(Simon) Buckley, (Colin) Garland, (Lynden) Dunn, (Jace) Bode, (Daniel) Bell, there's a number of them, we're expecting them to go to an extra level this year.

“The senior players, we need them to perform and perform well but it's the younger players that will give us the improvement.”

Demons supporters will be hoping Bailey's optimism is not misguided after enduring a horror injury run last year.

After playing in the finals from 2004 to 2006, Melbourne lost their first nine games and slumped to 14th with senior coach Neale Daniher also falling on his sword after a decade at the club.

Mark Riley filled in as senior coach for the remainder of 2007, only to be overlooked in favour of former Port assistant Bailey, who also beat bigger names such as Kevin Sheedy, Chris Bond, Damien Hardwick and Guy McKenna to the top job.

Bailey said his coaching philosophy centred on open communication channels with the players, assistants Paul Williams, Sean Wellman and Josh Mahoney and other coaching staff.

“I believe that the sum of all the coaches and players is lots more than any one individual,” he said.

“So you've got 42 to 44 players, you've got your coaching staff together, you should have a lot of knowledge in the room, you just need to ask questions and get it out in the open and hopefully come out with the right product.”

Bailey said the players had embraced the concept, which was an extension of a leadership program instrumental to Sydney's drought-breaking premiership in 2005 and Geelong's historic flag last year.

As one of the first demonstrations of player empowerment the leadership group suspended defender Nathan Carroll for two pre-season games for a lack of professionalism in the off-season.

“If the players have responsibility then they'll buy-in and involvement is a lot stronger.”

So it was not surprising Bailey rejected any suggestion Melbourne's on-field fortunes rested with their star six, midfielders James McDonald, Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Brock McLean, ruckman Jeff White and captain David Neitz.

“You've got to have an even contribution. If you're relying on six blokes, it makes it easier for the opposition to shut you down,” Bailey said.

But there is no question McDonald is key to the Demons' engine room. He has been the club's leading clearance player in three of the past four years, with 400 clearances, 101 more than any other Demon.

And he laid the third most tackles (131) in the competition last year, behind Sydney's Brett Kirk (149) and Geelong's Joel Corey (134).

But Bailey said he was expecting McLean, Bruce, Nathan Jones and Clint Bartram to lighten McDonald's load in the midfield.

In attack, Neitz will again be the kingpin, along with the high-flying Russell Robertson. The pair kicked 112 goals between them in 2006 but could only manage 68 last year.

However, Bailey says there is more to Melbourne's forward line than just Neitz and Robertson.

"And (Colin) Sylvia, and (Michael) Newton, (Aaron) Davey and (Austin) Wonaeamirri and Bruce up forward and Green up forward, Isaac Weetra. I think we've got enough firepower to kick a winning score but you've got to get the ball inside your forward 50 so you give your forwards a chance to mark and compete, that'll be the challenge," he said.

Jared Rivers will bolster the Demons' defence after osteitis pubis ended his 2007 season after three games, former Cat Brent Moloney is fully fit after groin troubles over the past two seasons while Cale Morton, the club's top pick in last year's draft, is expected to play plenty of senior football.

Bailey said Melbourne had concentrated on game-based training over the pre-season in a bid to improve on-field decision making. They had also worked hard on skills.

The coach has also welcomed the input of former Fremantle coach Chris Connolly, the new football manager. “He's been a great appointment by the club,” he said. “We're both passionate about getting this club out of where it is and moving it forward.”