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
5. Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs)
If Lobb is to join the Bulldogs, out-of-contract Bulldog Josh Schache could be a sneaky option for the Dees this off-season.
Already out of favour at the Kennel and tried in just about every position on the ground, Schache's opportunities would become much more scarce in 2023 with Lobb's arrival.
The 24-year-old, who booted seven majors over the weekend in the VFL, has struggled for consistency at AFL level and a move could do him good.
The former pick number two can play as a deputy ruckman if needed and might benefit from playing with the likes of Ben Brown, Tom McDonald or Sam Weideman in the forward line.
Just like Ben Brown, who struggled in 2020 and had AFL fans doubting his ability, a move to Melbourne could rejuvenate his career.
He might not set the world alight in the future but at the very least could become a goal or two per game type of player at Melbourne.
Again, this is pure speculation with no substance but it wouldn't be a crazy move, he'd come for next to nothing and at the very least will provide ready-made key forward depth to the stocks at Melbourne.
