It’s only January, that’s what I keep trying to tell myself.
Naturally, as a typical pessimistic Demons fanatic I find myself comparing the latest turmoil the club has faced during its off-season, attempting to put a positive spin on the news Melbourne’s struggles have been on-field related this time around. Well, at least for the most part.
The club couldn’t find itself out of the headlines since the conclusion of the 2023 season. Andrew Brayshaw was medically retired and as a fan favourite that was beyond a bitter pill to swallow.
Clayton Oliver had medical episodes and was allegedly going around breaking windscreen wipers. The police then subsequently charged the Melbourne midfielder with driving on a license that was suspended at the time.
The Christian Petracca injury that left him with a lacerated spleen, four broken ribs and a punctured lung went way beyond that single event. The club’s handling of Petracca’s condition was incredibly poor. Miscommunication about the star’s holiday to Noosa left a rift between the rest of the playing group and himself.
Ultimately Petracca couldn’t organise a trade out of the Demons with his contract expiring in 2029. Former president Kate Roffey stepped down after a heavily critiqued interview on SEN during which she admitted she hadn’t spoken directly to Petracca after King’s Birthday.
Since the trade period concluded and both Petracca and Oliver remained the drama has rolled on. Max Gawn fractured his voice box in December and is only just returning to a full training load now.
Meanwhile, Petracca received another cracked rib at training on Friday. He’s at risk of missing Round 1 and it is unclear how severe the injury sustained in a contest was. Off the track, Steven May was involved in a fight at the Continental Hotel in Sorrento.
So after taking a deep breath and looking back at all this coverage that has surrounded the club, it’s clear a culture change has been needed for a long time.
It’s on the players and coaching staff to reflect on their conflicts and controversies to decide how they best want to move forward.
This year could be the last dance for this group of Demons. I don’t expect to be playing in the last weeks of the season but we should be contending to make finals with the talent in the side.
Age is catching up to some senior players so the team needs to prove itself once again. Simon Goodwin is on thin ice as well. A lack of developing tactics and gaining control on this list means if 2025 doesn’t go well it could see the end of his time as Demons senior coach.
Starting to focus on this season I will remain pessimistic but only on-field effort will change that and the off-field issues can’t derail progress again or changes will be made. From the board, to staff and to the players fans just need a year of progress and showing signs of unity.
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