2008 Melbournefc Season Preview – Dreamonology?

Written by Kevin Hawkins (a.k.a. Dee man)

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If I were to dream of Melbourne partaking in the 2008 finals series, would anyone accuse me of being too ambitious? Twelve months ago, the proposition would have barely raised an eyebrow, but twelve months is a hell-of-a long time – particularly if you are a Melbourne fan.

New name, new logo, new coach, new assistants, new football department, new recruiting manager, new CEO, new players, new rookies, new leaders, new game plan., no Travis Johnstone… the list goes on…

The bookies call it a rebuild. Dean Bailey – Neale Daniher’s surprise successor – calls it a re-jig. Bailey’s encouraging optimism for this refreshed outfit is just what the team formerly known as the Demons require in their 150^th year of existence. Yet will his enthusiasm be justified?

One could easily presume no. Melbourne won a miserly five matches last season, and their once ‘elite’ players are on the decline. Gallant skipper David Neitz is losing his fitness, Adem Yze his spark and Jeff White his Midas touch. Senior players Cameron Bruce and Brad Green aren’t becoming any younger either; one could predict that 2008 is the last opportunity either has to assert themselves onto the competition. Neither have an All Australian selection or Best and Fairest to their name after eight solid, yet frustrating, seasons.

Melbourne’s problems continue down at full back, standing 190cm and weighing 100kg. There’s simply no one sufficient there. The maligned – and ageing – likes of Ben Holland, Nathan Carroll and, dare I say it, Brad Miller are strong and bold, but neither possess the talent, speed or consistency to match up with the league’s most attacking forwards. Nonetheless, this trio may have to share the position for the majority of the year unless the young James Frawley can make a miraculous transformation from boy to man. Transformations like that happen to solidly built midfielders, yet rarely to lanky key position defenders.

Statistically, Melbourne’s front half is the best in the competition. Theoretically, not enough ball makes it inside 50 for one to able to tell. An impressive engine room comprising of dual Bluey winner James McDonald, rising stars Brock McLean and Nathan Jones and Brent Moloney should be able to win enough clearances and contested ball, but too often they have been let down by the erratic outside midfielders. Johnstone, the serial offender, has now moved clubs, while Yze appears much more suited elsewhere. Green and Bruce also look out of their comfort zone; a sweeping defence role beckons Green.

Hence, pressure will begin to mount on Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey – two players who have on-baller written all over them, yet have been too often restricted in the forward arc. As good a small forward Davey is, permanently placing him at the feet of others would be a devastating waste of talent. Paul Wheatley is another who could surprisingly fit into that category. Too often has Wheatley been wasted in defence – minding taller forwards – when he could have been setting up goals from the wing. Simon Buckley has also displayed brief glimpses of promise… watch this space.

To find the origin of Bailey’s positive outlook, one needs not look far. Everyone knows about the Jones’, Rivers’, Daveys and McLeans, but the depth to Melbourne’s young brigade is what really excites. The names Bell, Moloney, Sylvia, Bate, Bartram, Dunn, Petterd, Newton and Dunn probably don’t mean much to many outsiders at this stage, but within a couple of years – perhaps even months – all could be familiar household names. Daniel Bell was a Bluey contender for much of 2007, Matthew Bate has safer hands than Andrew Symonds, while Ricky Petterd and Michael Newton should give Tom Hawkins a run for his money in this year’s Rising Star.

With the proverbial duds (Ward, Godfrey, Ferguson, etc.) now offloaded, Bailey must ensure Melbourne’s next vulnerable group don’t meet the same destiny. Already the unpredictable Chris Johnson has been granted a trip to China, while Miller survived trade and was re-appointed in the contentious leadership group (replacing namesake Green). Nonetheless, on field is where it counts, and both these talented players could be looking down the barrel of an early retirement should 2008 not go their way.

Big Paul Johnson is an interesting case. Having played cameos all around the ground, PJ appears to be handy in almost every position on the field. Unfortunately, though, there is not one position that he can call his own. Michael Newton has overtaken him as a key forward, Mark Jamar and new recruit John Meesen as backup rucks. Down back is where he appears most comfortable, but with the likes of Holland and Carroll already there, Melbourne’s defence could potentially look one-dimensional and rather ugly.

Matthew Warnock is another who desperately needs to make an impact. Daniher took a risk promoting him two years ago, but the tall defender is presently ruining Melbourne’s reputation of successful rookie stories. With just four games to his name, Warnock looks an early favourite to be delisted, a fate he can only counteract by making his way into the senior side – and staying there.

Jared Rivers is one player many football spectators will turn their attention to in ’08. It is now three seasons since the young defensive prodigy took the AFL by storm, but injury after injury has dampened his chances of taking his game to the next level. Ditto Moloney – a player capable of winning matches off his own dynamic boot. If fit, who knows what heights this pair can reach?

Nevertheless, the most eyes – by far – will be directed at incoming coach Dean Bailey. Plucked from near-obscurity, the controversial decision to select him above legend Kevin Sheedy may forever be a moot point, but as of yet the former Port Adelaide assistant has taken few wrong steps. Arguably, he slipped-up by admitting to the media that Melbourne won’t be aiming for September action in 2008 – which subsequently caused fans to cringe at the thought of another potentially hopeless season.

One admirable trait of DB is his assertiveness, as he has gone back to basics with Melbourne in terms of training and has re-assembled the coaching panel the way he wants. His provision of empowerment to the leadership group, his boldness to trade Travis Johnstone and his attractive plea that almost lured superstar Chris Judd were fine demonstrations of his high level of professionalism.

If only Melbourne’s ‘non-existent’ PR department could follow. To outsiders, the MFC’s 150th birthday adjustments have gone virtually unnoticed; to most, the loss of a CEO and suspension of Nathan Carroll seems to be the only off-field news that has eventuated from the Melbourne camp.

Neitz, too, could take a leaf out of Bailey’s book. A prototype ‘good-guy’ off-field, the veteran captain needs to apply some of his on-field aggression to his leadership. Since his inspirational performances are becoming rarer and rarer, the best way in which he can influence his team mates now is to gallantly defend the team in the face of criticism, and confidently stand up for struggling teammates.

…Teammates such as McLean – who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Bar room incidents, burnouts and speeding tickets aside, McLean is an angry young man who desperately needs to curb his hostility if he wants Neitz’s prized mantle next season.

For Melbourne to defy coaches orders and take a crack at the eight, a few things must go their way. Firstly, there must be limited injuries. If 2007 taught supporters anything, it was that Melbourne lack depth. 15 senior players have run out onto the ground ten or less times – an encouraging yet frightening prospect. A few serious injuries to key players, and 2008 will become yet another season of experimentation.

In addition, Melbourne’s young leaders need to make the next step. There’s no use in saying “We have a good young list” if those youngsters never mature. It may sound ambitious, but all of McLean, Davey, Rivers, Moloney, Bell and even the young Jones have the – excuse my French – potential to be considered ‘star’ material in twelve months time. Another ‘superstar’ would also been handy; fans haven’t seen one since the days of Garry Lyon (No, Cameron Bruce is not a superstar). Injury set back most of the young group in 2007 – and that’s the only excuse Melbourne fans will, reluctantly, take for any additional procrastination.

One question that will need to be answered sometime during the year is ‘Who will replace White and Neitz?’ Quite a dilemma considering selectors are still looking for someone to fill David Schwarz’s long empty shoes. Melbourne recruiters have been desperately searching for a solution; Stefan Martin and Meesen were both recruited in the off-season with White’s retirement in mind. Meesen has proven to the football community that he is fit and strong, but the jury is still out as to whether he can play ruck. It’s a different story with Martin – he can certainly ruck, but can he kick? Meanwhile, lets not get started on Mark Jamar.

Neitz’s replacement may be a bit easier with Newton, Bate and Dunn all raising their hands up high in 2007. Newton even launched himself into the heavens a couple of times such is his enthusiasm. Some ‘friendly’ internal fighting for key positions should alight some intriguing and entertaining competition, which could certainly delight Melbourne fans even if the team endures another luckless season.

Another thing certain to occupy the attention of supporters in 2008 is the progress of highly rated draftees. According to the footballing community, CAC concluded his Melbourne days with a bang; the recruiting of Cale Morton, Jack Grimes, Addam Maric, Kyle Cheney, Tom McNamara, Austin Wonaeamirri, Shane Valenti and co. already have mouths watering. The encouraging inceptions of the latter duo throughout the <insert sponsor name here> Cup even has some sadistic supporters secretly hoping for serious senior list injuries; a long term casualty is the only way either can make their AFL debuts.

Valenti, at this early stage, looks the most promising of the lot and appears to be a ready made rover. Speaking of which, just imagine how much better a McLean, Jones, Moloney, Sylvia, Davey, Valenti midfield would look compared to Johnstone, Bruce, Green, McDon…

…sorry I’m dreaming again.