AFL Team Profile: Melbourne Demons

Melbourne should be in the mix to win the Premiership in 2024, but injuries within the Demons camp have cast some doubt over their credentials.

The Demons won the grand final in 2021 and many thought at the time that they would go on to win more.

It hasn’t worked out like that, and although they made the top four in 2023, they could not kick on and make the big dance.

2024 could potentially go either way for Melbourne, but they are in the conversation for grand final glory and can be backed at 9.00 to win the flag.

Demons fell short in 2023

Melbourne made the top four in 2023 when picking up 16 wins from their 23 games in the regular AFL campaign.

However, the season did not end the way they wanted it to, as they failed to produce the goods in finals.

After earning a double chance by finishing fourth, they could not make it count, going out of finals in straight sets.

Both games were close and could have gone either way. The qualifier saw them lose to eventual winners Collingwood by seven points, before they went down by just two points against Carlton in the semi-final.

Melbourne will have had plenty of time to lick their wounds and will be ready to come back firing in the 2024 season.

Another top-four finish has to be the aim and they can be backed at 2.75 to make it.

Injuries already hurting Melbourne

Melbourne have a list full of talented players that won the competition back in 2021, but injuries have already hit them hard.

Getting the campaign off to a good start is always key and, unfortunately for Melbourne, they will have to do it without some key players.

The forward line in particular has taken a hammering and will be causing head coach Simon Goodwin a serious headache.

Harrison Petty is the latest player to pick up an injury and is a doubt for the opening game of the season against Sydney.

Petty missed the end of last season through injury and will be a big miss again if ruled out for any length of time.

Tom Fullarton, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Ben Brown, Joel Smith and Kysaiah Pickett are also on the sidelines, so the Demons do have issues.

Looking on the positive side of things, Melbourne have a list packed with quality.

Steven May and Jake Lever will be huge for the Demons in defence, while Christian Petracca and Jack Viney are among the best midfielders in the AFL.

They also have the hugely influential Max Gawn in the ruck, so there is a lot to like about Melbourne heading into 2024.

Demons open up with Sydney

As already mentioned, Melbourne could have a few selection issues heading into the first game of the campaign against Sydney at the SCG on Thursday 7th March.

They can be backed at 2.30 to get the win with the Swans the hot fancies at 1.62.

Next up will be a home clash against Western Bulldogs, with Melbourne priced at 1.58 to win.