Melbourne have again returned to the whiteboard following a straight sets finals exit as they look to make the most of a star-studded list.
The Demons were among the busier clubs through the trade and free agency space, signing three new players before adding a pair of first-round picks via the National Draft.
Melbourne's forward line was often a weakness for Simon Goodwin's side as they toyed with a number of options to help sharpen their scoring avenues, with their prolific midfield group and hardened rearguard unable often covering their end of the bargain.
With a list primed for another premiership tilt, how will Melbourne take shape in 2024? We've had a look at their list and named their best 23 for next season.
BEST 23s: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN, NORTH MELBOURNE
A big question looms to see who will support All-Australian Demons pair Steven May and Jake Lever. Harrison Petty has held the role for the majority of the past three years, but following his move to attack, there's an opening in Simon Goodwin's defence.
Veteran Adam Tomlinson played nine games in the role this year and looks to be the leading option. However, the Demons have big wraps for emerging defender Daniel Turner.
A full-time role in the front third for Petty could mean Joel Smith returns to the backline to offer some flexibility for Melbourne, with the pair able to switch ends given their versatility.
Jed Adams looms as the Demons' only emerging uncapped backman and is unlikely to get a look at senior level next year with the likes of Turner, Tomlinson, Petty and Smith ahead of him.
Melbourne's small defensive stock is brimming with young talent as Judd McVee looks to add to an impressive debut campaign that saw him play in every game this year.
The lockdown backman has allowed the likes of Trent Rivers, Jake Bowey and Christian Salem some freedom on the attacking end, however, there might not be room for all four in Goodwin's side when factoring in half-back/midfielder Angus Brayshaw.
The headlining Demons often all reside in midfield, with skipper Max Gawn leading a lethal engine room ensemble that's home to two of the premier players of the competition in Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.
Often unheralded and unrecognised is hard-nosed ball-winner Jack Viney, who has continued to be a consistent midfielder for the Demons in times of turbulence. The gritty onballer finished seventh in the Brownlow count for 2023 to cap off a stellar campaign.
Tom Sparrow looks to be ready to reach new heights after often serving as the next midfielder in line, while Angus Brayshaw is likely to feature through the middle or on the wing while rotating between the backline.
Ed Langdon and Lachie Hunter are set to lock down the wing roles for another year but will have some young Demons to mentor in Taj Woewodin and top draft selection Caleb Windsor.
Recruit Jack Billings can fill a multitude of roles across the middle and forward thirds of the field, as can Alex Neal-Bullen and Kysaiah Pickett, who could be handed more midfield minutes after the departures of James Jordon and James Harmes.
Draftee Koltyn Tholstrup already has half a season of senior experience under his belt after playing ten games for Subiaco this year and could be run through midfield as early as 2024, while father-son selection Kynan Brown also adds to Melbourne's midfield depths as a hard-hitting ball-winner.
The aforementioned Gawn is set to lead Melbourne's ruck department in a single role next year following a failed experiment to partner the All-Australian with Brodie Grundy. Key forward Jacob van Rooyen could act as the supporting ruck option, while recruit Tom Fullarton could fill a similar role as a ruck/forward hybrid.
Young tall Jacob van Rooyen is set to spearhead Melbourne's attack for the second season in a row after the Demons failed to find an efficient mix of support for the emerging star.
Swingman Harrison Petty is set to help fill that void after a short but strong stint as a forward target, with premiership attacker Bayley Fritsch to continue his role as a high-volume third tall option.
Joel Smith has also shown glimpses as a forward threat but could lose his place to Petty or return to the backline as a medium-sized stopper.
Recruit Tom Fullarton is unlikely to start in Goodwin's plans but is sure to make his case known as a strong VFL competitor, while veterans Ben Brown and Tom McDonald will hope for uninterrupted pre-season before making their own selection pushes.
First-round draft selection Matthew Jefferson is entering his second year with the club and will hope to emulate the path van Rooyen took to become a key piece in Melbourne's future planning.
Kysaiah Pickett will continue to cause havoc for opposition defenders as one of the most exciting small forwards in the game, leaving one of Kade Chandler and Charlie Spargo to fight for another small forward role.
Alex Neal-Bullen is set to roam across the forward and midfield thirds, while recruit Shane McAdam can be expected to slot onto a half-forward flank.
Koltyn Tholstrup is another who will push for a half-forward role, as will second-year Demon Taj Woewodin.
FB: Judd McVee, Steven May, Adam Tomlinson
HB: Trent Rivers, Jake Lever, Angus Brayshaw
C: Ed Langdon, Clayton Oliver, Lachie Hunter
HF: Shane McAdam, Harrison Petty, Alex Neal-Bullen
FF: Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob van Rooyen, Bayley Fritsch
FO: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney
I/C: Jake Bowey, Charlie Spargo, Tom Sparrow, Joel Smith
SUB: Kade Chandler
Also in the mix: Christian Salem, Daniel Turner, Taj Woewodin, Tom McDonald, Ben Brown, Koltyn Tholstrup, Matthew Jefferson