Your Ultimate Guide to the Melbourne Demons 2024 Season

Well, well, well, the Melbourne Demons. If footy seasons were rollercoasters, Melbourne’s 2023 ride would have you gripping the safety bar, occasionally throwing your hands up in excitement, but ultimately leaving you with that “could’ve been better” feeling.

Let’s cut to the chase – Melbourne, the darlings of the minor rounds, yet again had their September dreams dashed. It’s like Groundhog Day, but instead of Bill Murray, you’ve got a bunch of Demons fans stuck in a loop of hope and heartbreak.

Now, don’t get us wrong, the Demons aren’t exactly in the dumps. They’re still hanging around the premiership window, but that window ain’t getting any younger, just like their list. With a bunch of experienced heads, Melbourne’s got the talent, but the clock is ticking louder than a Melbourne tram bell during rush hour.
So, the Sporting News, in its wisdom, decided to slap a solid B- on Melbourne’s report card for 2023. Not bad, not great – just kinda, meh. Be sure to bookmark the dedicated Queen of Tickets Melbourne Demons 2024 tickets page for quick and easy access to all tickets across all games this season.

Did they overachieve or underachieve? 

Well, let’s put it this way – they haven’t quite hit the heights of that glorious 2021 season when they broke the drought. The Demons are consistently good, but when it comes to the business end of the season, they’re like a slightly outdated iPhone – not quite up to par.

Sure, the talent is there, especially in the midfield – they’ve got names that make other teams green with envy. But there’s something missing, an edge, a bit of dependability, and it’s been leaving the Demons short when the September spotlight shines.

What worked? 

Defence. It’s become Melbourne’s identity. May and Lever might not have collected as many individual accolades, but they held the fort like the footy fortress it is. McVee, Rivers, and Bowey added their two cents, and Melbourne ended up conceding the fewest points per game. Impressive, right?

Now, what went wrong? The Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn ruck combo? Yeah, it didn’t quite live up to the hype, but that’s not the main issue. Inaccuracy in front of goal turned into Melbourne’s kryptonite, especially when it mattered most – the finals. In their last two outings, it was like the Demons were aiming for the goal umpire’s nose instead of the big sticks.

But fear not, Demons faithful, because in the midst of the mayhem, Christian Petracca rose like a phoenix. With Clayton Oliver nursing his wounds on the sidelines, Petracca took charge. The dude led the Demons in score involvements, popped in goals like it was nobody’s business, and even snagged an All-Australian blazer. The only thing missing from his trophy cabinet? A shiny Brownlow Medal.

How’s Melbourne’s 2024 season going?

It’s been a wild ride since the Demons were shown the exit door in the 2023 Finals Series. Positive stories about the club have been scarcer than a quiet day in a footy bar during grand final week. Simon Goodwin saving lives in Bali barely made the news compared to the litany of issues haunting the club, its players, the culture, and anyone remotely associated with the red and blue.

But you know what’s the perfect remedy for all that negative chatter? Winning. Unfortunately, we’ve got a bit of a wait until the Demons can hit the field against the Sydney Swans in the season opener – 59 days, to be exact. Until then, everyone at the club is just biding their time, eagerly awaiting the chance to silence the critics with a W.

Now, let’s get one thing straight: this ain’t a gossip column. If you’re after rumours and speculations, there are plenty of sites and chatty Facebook, and Twitter accounts waiting to entertain you. We’re here to talk footy – the on-field stuff, the possibilities, and the realities of what Melbourne might face in 2024.

So, here’s the lowdown on what’s brewing in the Melbourne camp:

Life Without Clayton Oliver

Let’s address the elephant in the room – Clayton Oliver’s absence. Whether he’s back on the field or not, we wish Oliver all the support he needs. But let’s face it, if he’s not around, the Demons need to figure out how to fill the Oliver-shaped hole in their midfield. Jack Viney steps up, and there are hopeful eyes on young guns like Tom Sparrow and the resilient Angus Brayshaw to keep the engine running.

Shane McAdam – The Silent Threat

Quietly making his way to Melbourne is Shane McAdam, and not many are talking about it. A nightmare matchup, McAdam adds a unique dimension to the forward line, reminiscent of Bayley Fritsch. If he hits the ground running, the Demons’ forward half becomes a menacing trio with Fritsch and Kysaiah Pickett. Keep an eye on this one; it might just be a recruiting coup in the making.

The Gawn Conundrum

Max Gawn – the giant in the ruck. The big man has been the Demons’ ace, but questions arise. Does he need to play out of his skin for Melbourne to succeed? The stats say a lot, and with no Brodie Grundy to share the load, Gawn’s fitness becomes a critical factor. The backup ruck options look a bit thin, and the Demons are praying for Gawn’s durability.

Petracca’s Achilles Heel

Christian Petracca the complete package, except for one thing – goal-kicking. Petracca’s accuracy at goal has been a bit off, and the question now is whether he can rectify this Achilles heel. An accurate Petracca would be a coach’s dream, and the Demons are hoping he’s worked on his accuracy during the offseason.

Jacob Van Rooyen’s Encore

Jacob Van Rooyen (JVR) pleasantly surprised many in 2023, proving naysayers wrong with his contested aerial prowess. With a taste of the big league, the expectation is high for JVR in 2024. As the key forwards around his age, Van Rooyen’s role becomes crucial. Keep an eye on this young gun; he might just be the Demons’ beacon in the forward line.

An update from round 7 onwards

The Melbourne Demons are at a crucial juncture in their season, with questions looming about whether they’ll continue their upward trajectory or start to slide down the ladder. Every year, there’s a team that experiences a period of dominance before gradually losing their grip on contention, and some wonder if it’s Melbourne’s turn to face that challenge.

On the surface, the Demons seem poised to remain competitive this year. However, their success hinges on finding the right balance in their forward line and occasionally offering different looks in the midfield. While stalwarts like Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, and Viney form a formidable midfield unit, their playing style has become somewhat predictable to top clubs, who are devising strategies to counter them effectively.

To inject some variety and unpredictability into their game plan, there’s a call for players like Pickett, Billings, McVee, Windsor, Rivers, and Salem to spend more time in the center, providing different dynamics. Additionally, experimenting with players like McDonald or van Rooyan in the ruck alongside Gawn, who could spend more time forward, might offer a refreshing change. With a talented roster, including depth beyond the primary contributors, it’s time for secondary players to step up and take on more prominent roles.

Despite these challenges, Melbourne remains a contender in the eyes of many, with some early predictions even tipping them for the flag. However, it’s clear that adjustments are needed to ensure their structure becomes less predictable and more adaptable to varying game situations. If they can achieve this, the Demons have the potential to maintain their status among the league’s elite teams.

The highlight of the season so far: Adelaide vs Melbourne

In their clash against Adelaide, the Melbourne Demons showcased their depth and resilience, securing a hard-fought victory despite a sluggish start from star midfielder Clayton Oliver. Oliver, hampered by a finger injury, had a quiet first half with only six disposals, but his teammates stepped up to fill the void. 

Tom Sparrow’s impressive performance added to Melbourne’s midfield strength, while Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, and Jack Viney drove the team forward, ensuring their stay in Adelaide ended on a positive note and securing their position at the top of the ladder.

However, the game was not without its challenges for Melbourne, as Kysaiah Pickett faced potential scrutiny from the Match Review Officer for a high-contact incident with Adelaide’s Jake Soligo. Pickett’s mistimed smother resulted in contact to Soligo’s head, raising the possibility of a suspension for the dynamic Demon player.

Despite Adelaide’s valiant late rally, their slow start and predictable ball movement ultimately proved costly. Melbourne capitalised on Adelaide’s turnovers, with more than half of their final score coming from such opportunities. For the Crows, who narrowly missed the finals last year while playing an exciting brand of football, the 2024 season has begun on a disappointing note, with a 0-4 start indicating a significant gap from their previous form.

Where to get Melbourne Demons tickets in 2024?

The Demons are gearing up for what could be a season to remember or another chapter in the rollercoaster ride of footy emotions. Ride the wave with them by buying your official Melbourne Demons tickets from the dedicated Queen of Tickets page right here.