2008 AFL Team Predictions - Melbourne Demons

[TalkingFootball]

2008 AFL Team Predictions - Melbourne Demons

Predictions - How the Melbourne Demons will lineup and perform in season 2008.

Best Team Lineup

FB Paul Wheatley, Nathan Carroll, Matthew Whelan

HB Jared Rivers, Brad Miller, Ricky Petterd

C Brent Moloney, Cameron Bruce, Nathan Jones

HF Michael Newton , Matthew Bate, Aaron Davey

FF Russell Robertson, David Neitz, Brad Green

Foll Jeff White, James McDonald, Brock McLean

Bench James Frawley, Adem Yze, John Meesen, Clint Bartram

Emergency Jack Grimes, Cale Morton, Lyndon Dunn

2008 Predictions

Most Goals: Russell Robertson
Most Possessions: Cameron Bruce
Most Marks: Jeff White

Potential Step Up Year: Matthew Bate, John Meesan
Dreamteam Smokies: Rivers, Petterd, Moloney
Most Brownlow Votes: Cameron Bruce
Rising Star: Cale Morton

General Comments: First year of a new coach are always very, very hard seasons to assess. Honestly get the feeling Melbourne is in a rebuilding era with their eyes firmly fixed on 2-3 years time. However, you still cant rule out the potential of a bounce year for the Dees allowing them to finish in the 8. All this said, I'm not convinced nor worried where we finish in 2008 ... Baileys "honey-moon" season.

Predicted Final Ladder Position: 5-15 ... I know this is a large gap. However, I do think they are the least predictable side in the competition.

Keys To Moving Up The Ladder: If the Dees can solidify and formulate a solid back-line combination with 3 key players Rivers, Whelan (Dont under estimate this player to our backline) & Miller. Return to winning majority of the games they play at MCG.

Your Comments Welcome

[smileatme]

Not enough new blood and you may as well of said ladder finish 1 to 16 because then you would have got one of your predictions right.

[MIGHTY MAGPIES 01]

That is a suprisingly strong Melbourne line-up. If the Dees can get their best team on the field and remain injury-free then they are very capable of making the finals. But if they suffer the same injury problems as last year, then they will struggle again because the Dees just don't have the depth of talent on their List to cover the injuries. Your Ladder prediction of 5-15 is spot-on, because if they have luck with injuries then they could finish as high as 5th, but if they have more injury problems then they would probably finish near the bottom of the ladder again.

[TalkingFootball]

Originally Posted by MIGHTY MAGPIES 01

don't have the depth of talent on their List to cover the injuries.

Interesting you say this because I think the Dees list has the opposite problem. Not enough "super-star" players and too many "middle of the road" players. Hence our 18th player is easily interchangeable for our 26th player.

[The Leader]

It will be another tragic year for the Demons. They had a good coach and let him go.

[jas929406]

Originally Posted by The Leader

They had a good coach and let him go.

That is true in one aspect but he was finnished......How many chances does a coach need.He was way passed his time imo.

[ALI-G]

Melbourne are my smokies for big improver. They were touted as definite finalists by most people last year and potential premiers yet struggled with key injuries from the onset and never really got a chance to get going. I expect with a solid run injury wise and the continued improvement of guys like Petterd, Bate, Jones plus the inclusion of Morton makes you definite top 8 and potentially top 4.

[TalkingFootball]

Originally Posted by ALI-G

Melbourne are my smokies for big improver. They were touted as definite finalists by most people last year and potential premiers yet struggled with key injuries from the onset and never really got a chance to get going. I expect with a solid run injury wise and the continued improvement of guys like Petterd, Bate, Jones plus the inclusion of Morton makes you definite top 8 and potentially top 4.

ALI-G Good to see you back. However, ..... mate .... we are doing our best to "fly under the radar" and you've blow our cover.

Petterd, Bate, Jones, Morton .... just kids with potential.

[Spirit_of_63]

My prediction for Melbourne?

waaaah waaaah waaaahwahwahwahwahwahwaaaaaah

[Tippaz]

i agree with the 'hard-to-predict' statement TF.

it seems like Bailey is going for youth, and i'm expecting he'll adopt a Port-Adelaide style of play.
i think we'll see a strong midfield with high half-forward-flanks. lots of possessions.
my main concern is firepower up forward. Neitz? Robbo? who else will kick their goals? centre-half-forward is a problem. i am tipping Lynden Dunn will step up into that role.