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: Luke Dunstan, Jacob Van Rooyen, Blake Howes, Taj Woewodin, Judd McVee, Andy Moniz-Wakefield
Outs: Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta, Austin Bradtke, Kye Declase, Marty Hore, Aaron Vandenberg, Aaron Nietschke, Jay Lockhart
The Demons shot out of the gate early in 2021, winning their first nine games of the season and putting themselves straight into flag contention.
The Demons rarely missed a beat for the rest of the season as they finished with 17 wins, four losses and a draw on their way to the premiership. The back-to-back wins over the Bulldogs and the Lions in Rounds 11 and 12, specifically, cemented their place as the team to beat.
Midfield superstars Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca asserted themselves as some of the best in the competition. While the defence, led by Steven May and Jake Lever, became impenetrable. Several role players stood up as genuine stars throughout the season, including Bayley Fritsch, Luke Jackson, Angus Brayshaw, Kysaiah Pickett and Christian Salem.
The Demons also managed to contain an extremely healthy list all season and injected some young talent into the team, with the likes of Trent Rivers, Harrison Petty, James Jordon, Jake Bowey and Tom Sparrow all becoming premiership players.
Star Power: 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.
Lack of discipline: It is almost impossible to highlight a weakness in this Melbourne team, who dominated the rest of the competition last season. However, with new rules to crack down on umpire abuse and time-wasting this season, we've already seen the Demons fall victim to the new interpretation this pre-season.
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The Demons conceded a whopping eight 50-metre penalties against Carlton in the AAMI Community Series last week. Many of these penalties were given as a result of umpire abuse and time-wasting. Ultimately, propelling the Blues to a five-point victory at Marvel Stadium.
While players and teams around the competition will no doubt adjust to these new interpretations, Melbourne experienced first-hand the consequences of their lack of discipline.
Petracca had a stunning 2021 season, winning the Norm Smith Medal, a premiership medal and finishing top 10 in the Brownlow. The Demons have many star players, who all could have easily got a mention here but the goal kicking ability of Petracca gives him the edge.
The 26-year-old averaged 29.2 disposals, 6.3 clearances and 1.2 goals per game in 2021, placing him amongst the best players in the competition. His ability to consistently hit the scoreboard was instrumental in the Demons' success.
Midfielder
Disposals
Goals
Clearances
Petracca will no doubt be a Brownlow contender again in 2022 and having just turned 26, Petracca's dominance will continue in years to come.
Amongst their plethora of star players, the Demons have an exciting group of young players within their team.
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Small defender Jake Bowey played just seven games in 2021 but was a part of the premiership side. Bowey adds great speed and efficiency into an already great Melbourne backline.
After averaging 17 disposals in 2021, Bowey collected 22 disposals against Carlton in the AAMI Community Series as he aims to solidify his position in the team. The 19-year-old will look to become a regular playing on the half-back flank for the Demons in 2022.
Right from Round 1, the Demons will look to flex their muscles against the Bulldogs in the Grand Final rematch. Starting the season with a win against another premiership contender will ease some doubts of a premiership hangover.
Similarly, rounds 13-19 also shape as a crucial period for the Demons, as they face four flag contenders in quick succession, including the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, Geelong and the Lions, providing an opportunity to announce themselves as flag favourites as they head into September.
The Demons are on track to finish at the top end of the ladder yet again in 2022. The star power of Gawn, Oliver and Petracca will look to dominate the midfield yet again.
Few sides in the competition look as good on paper as the Demons. However, having a healthy list is crucial, with the Bulldogs looking like an immediate threat in 2022 among others as they look to spoil Melbourne's premiership defence.
Prediction: 1st