After nearly a month without a win, Melbourne returned to the winners list last weekend, easily accounting for Fremantle at TIO Stadium in the Northern Territory to sit in equal ninth place on 7-8.

Still a mathematical possibility of playing finals football, the Demons have been one of the competitions big improvers in 2016, drawing level with the premiership points they accrued last season – the most in Paul Roos’ tenure.

Since the last time Melbourne faced St Kilda back in Round 6, the Demons haven’t won consecutive games, with their inconsistent form drawing parallels with the Saints campaign to date.

One of the key factors behind the Dees’ rise this season has been the form of star midfielders Jack Viney and Max Gawn. For the best part of the last six or seven years, Melbourne has relied heavily on captain Nathan Jones. Now, with Viney and Gawn, plus an array of onball weapons, the Demons boast a diverse and deep midfield group.

Viney has entered the elite category this season, perhaps surpassing Jones as Roos’ most important pure midfielder. The tough onballer is averaging career-highs across the board, with his possessions (26.2), contested possessions (13.1), tackles (6.9), clearances (6.1) and inside 50s (4.2) all up and rising.

Jones has continued to be a star, thriving around others on the rise, and averaging 28.3 possessions, 5.5 clearances and 5.1 inside 50s per game. He’s also been well supported by the classy Bernie Vince (25.9 possessions) behind the ball and former top-three pick Dom Tyson (24.1 possessions).

As an engine room, Melbourne has dramatically improved in 2016, going from No. 17 to No. 2 for disposals (391.7) and from No. 16 to No. 4 for disposals differential (+23.5).

And that improved midfield output has transferred into attack, with the Demons becoming far more potent inside 50 this season. Jesse Hogan has followed up his breakout season with an even better 2016 campaign, while much maligned forward Jack Watts has been of the most improved players in the game this season. Such has been the improvement in Watts that some experts predict him to feature in the All Australian 40-man squad.

After 15 games, Hogan has 38.22 to his name, including a career-best haul of 7.1 the last time he played the Saints. While Watts’ year-to-date contains a consistent amount of twos and threes. The pair led the way against the Dockers in the red centre, with Hogan kicking four goals and taking 12 marks and Watts three and ten.

With dangerous medium-sized forwards Dean Kent (21 goals) and Jeff Garlett (20 goals) also doing their bit up forward, Melbourne has risen from being ranked No. 16 for points for in 2015 (71.5 points) to No. 8 (95.9 points). The Demons inside 50 differential has made a significant difference in this four goal rise, with that figure rising from -9.0 per game to +2.7.

Perhaps one of the biggest victims of Melbourne’s improved depth this season has been former skipper Jack Grimes who had to wait until Round 16 before earning his first senior game for 2016. But after being forced to bide his time at Casey, the 27-year-old returned with aplomb in Alice Springs, collecting 32 disposals and nine marks playing in a new role on a wing.

While Melbourne’s attacking bottom line has improved this season, it has plateaued at the opposite end of the ground, still conceding on average over 15 goals per game The McDonald’s – Tom and Oscar – have held down the defensive key posts, as has former Giant Sam Frost. But it has been an area of concern for Roos, and for the incumbent Simon Goodwin.

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Star:

With the mid-season decline of Todd Goldstein and the absence of injured Nic Naitanui, Max Gawn has grasped the mantle as the most influential ruckman in the game. After emerging in the second half of 2015, Gawn burst out of the blocks this season and has maintained the rage, averaging 41.9 hitouts (No. 1 in the AFL), 14.6 hitouts to advantage (No. 1) and a hitout win percentage of 53.3 per cent (No. 2). His deft trigger hand has led the Demons to No. 2 for hitouts differential (+11.9), No. 1 for hitouts to advantage differential (+5.2) and No. 4 for clearances differential (+3.5). Gawn’s form has been so devastating that he features in Brownlow medal leader boards and is tipped to earn a maiden All Australian guernsey. 

Fresh faces:

Melbourne’s prized recruit Christian Petracca made his long awaited debut the last time the Demons faced St Kilda and has since played every game since, looking more than comfortable at the level. His breakout 24 touch, two goal effort against Gold Coast was rewarded with a Rising Star nomination, and he has since averaged 18.1 possessions (9.1 contested) and 4.0 inside 50s.

While Petracca was taken at No. 2, a player taken at the other end of the spectrum at No. 57 has come on in leaps and bounds at AAMI Park this season. His name is Jayden Hunt and he has emerged as a weapon off half-back this season, standing up in the absence of Heritier Lumumba. Hunt has played every game since coming into the team in Round 4, providing bursts of speed from the defensive 50. The shaggy haired defender played his best game yet against Port Adelaide in the Northern Territory, collecting 29 possessions and eight inside 50s in a strong performance.  

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