The reigning premiers were the team to beat in the first half of 2022, winning their opening 10 games and were the firm premiership favourite.
However, three consecutive losses between Rounds 11-13 and inconsistent form has seen them slip to third, two wins away from ladder leaders Geelong.
Despite this, at their best, they are still the best in the competition and no one will count them out from achieving premiership glory despite the blip in form.
The Dees have a knack for making all their players vital cogs in a team where everyone has and knows their roles, and will no doubt look for further AFL-ready depth for their 2023 side, as they did with ex-Saint Luke Dunstan.
One area of concern is their forward line stocks, with Sam Weideman out of favour and Mitch Brown out of contract at season's end.
Ben Brown has been ever present since crossing from North Melbourne at the end of 2020, while Tom McDonald has struggled with injury and form in recent years.
Star half-back/midfielder Angus Brayshaw was subject to intense speculation about his future as a free agent before signing a massive six-year deal to stay at the Dees.
But young West Australian star ruckman Luke Jackson appears set to request a move to Fremantle for 2023, leaving their big man stocks quite thin.
So we've compiled a list of five players who the Demons could target this off-season to bolster their already star-studded squad in 2023.
TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GWS, HAWTHORN
2. Hayden McLean (Sydney)
A young ruck/forward type that could suit Melbourne's needs should Jackson depart, forgotten Swan Hayden McLean could be a cheap option this off-season for the Demons.
At just 23 years old, the Victorian has found spots in the strong Sydney forward line hard to come by with the likes of Sam Reid, Buddy Franklin and Logan McDonald all above McLean in the pecking order.
He has featured in eight games for the Swans this year, kicking 10 goals and averaging 3.4 marks a game as well.
We've seen glimpses of his potential as a strong marking key forward in his small sample size of 30 games, including a four-goal haul against Geelong last year in Round 7.
He'd provide depth and wouldn't be stuck behind as much of a log jam at Melbourne and would be the first up to take the ruck handle if Gawn went down at any stage next year.
While he is contracted, the Swans aren't likely to stand in his way should he seek more opportunities elsewhere for 2023.
