WITH trade week upon us, afl.com.au runs through how each of the 16 clubs are placed and which players, if any, they will be courting in the post-season period.
The goal for Melbourne next season is simple – win more matches and move up the AFL ladder.
Dean Bailey's first season in charge was a forgettable one, and while injuries didn't help his cause the Demons were also pretty poor in several matches. They do have some promising youngsters coming through the ranks, however it's probably unreasonable to expect Bailey, who is clearly taking the youth path, to be able to develop them rapidly enough to challenge for the top eight in 2009.
The retirement of David Neitz and the achilles injury to Russell Robertson were final nails in Melbourne's 2008 season. However while they might have put paid to the Demons' chances of kicking too many more high scores this year, they did expose a weakness lying beneath. Melbourne desperately needs some more goalkickers. The exciting Austin Wonaeamirri was good in patches and Brad Miller tried hard, but Michael Newton is still young and learning the caper along with a couple of others.
If the Demons are to give up anything, they must try to get someone in who can support the likes of Robbo and Miller. Aaron Davey also provides spark but he showed he might be best suited in the middle as the Demons' midfield, with Travis Johnstone long gone, is now a little blue-collar.
The young defence looks like developing into a settled line-up, but the forward half definitely needs some jazzing up.
When you finish on the bottom of the table, your list probably doesn't look overly enticing to others. However the Demons have already told a couple of veterans they won't be offered new deals, while Brad Green's protracted contract negotiations would have some clubs looking on with interest. Green should be rated as an 'untouchable', but if the Tasmanian can't come to terms with the Demons then both parties could score a win.
Jeff White, Adem Yze and now also Nathan Carroll have played their last games at Melbourne, although just how much currency that trio holds at the trade table for the Demons remains to be seen.
Some rival clubs may be keen to top up their stocks with at least one of the ageing trio, and Melbourne will be keen to further bolster its young list with some more exciting picks in this year's national draft.
"It'd be fair to say that where we can improve our picks or where we can get extra picks, we'll be certainly going down that path. But we're certainly not going to be throwing names left, right and centre. We have a responsibility to our players as well and we need to show some respect, and we also need to ensure that it is done in a professional manner as well. Where we can and where we see opportunities, we'll look at it, but we see drafting and recruiting players as the number one reason to improve next year and in years to come." – coach Dean Bailey.
Crystal ball trades
If Brad Green's contract hasn't been stitched up by trade week then his name will surely be bandied about. Could he be part of a multi-club deal? The Demons would love some more early picks to help their already impressive portfolio come draft day as they continue to rebuild.
Trade week runs from October 6-10, 2008. Please note, no trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Friday, October 10.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
