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
4. Rory Lobb (Fremantle)
Our second ruck/forward type player on this list is Dockers big man Rory Lobb.
Linked with a move to Victoria, with the Bulldogs believed to be the front runner, Lobb appears set to depart from Fremantle this year.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a career-best year in front of goal, kicking 34 goals in 18 games including an impressive haul of four coincidentally against the Bulldogs over the weekend.
With Jackson linked with Fremantle, Melbourne could ask for Lobb in return or at least look into a separate move to receive the 206cm big man as an ideal replacement.
While he will be 30 heading into next season, the former Giant is showing signs of slowing down and based on his 2022, could be a huge threat in the Demons' forward line and can pinch hit for Gawn when required.
As stated earlier, it is more likely he becomes a Bulldog next year, which has helped influence our final pick on this list.
