2021 could not have gone much better for the reigning premiers. The Demons finished top of the ladder, had a healthy list and broke a 57-year long premiership drought. 2022 shapes as a great opportunity for the Dees to go back-to-back and join some of the great teams of the modern era.
The star power of the Demons are well in their prime and have continued to look strong over the pre-season. The addition of fresh young talent and some added depth has given Simon Goodwin's side a good platform to contend again this season.
As the flag favourite, the Demons will be looking to get out of the blocks early in season 2022.
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Ins:ย Luke Dunstan, Jacob Van Rooyen, Blake Howes, Taj Woewodin, Judd McVee, Andy Moniz-Wakefield
Outs:ย Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta, Austin Bradtke, Kye Declase, Marty Hore, Aaron Vandenberg, Aaron Nietschke, Jay Lockhart
Strengths
Star Power:ย The Demons certainly do not lack star power on their list. Everywhere you look on the field, the Demons have superstars of the competition.
Melbourne had seven players nominated in the 2021 40-man All Australian squad, who all covered the four main positions on a football team - Max Gawn, Steven May, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jake Lever, Christian Salem and Bayley Fritsch were all nominated.
While Gawn, Petracca and Oliver were already some of the best in the competition for their respective positions, the inclusion of May, Lever, Fritsch and Salem was a major positive for the Demons, rewarding their enormous efforts in 2021.
In 2022, these players will no doubt showcase their enormous talents once again in the competition as the side target another premiership flag.
