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Off-contract calls
This masthead’s Money Talks column has confirmed there are 15 players off contract: Jack Billings, Tom Campbell, Jai Culley, Tom Fullarton, Jack Henderson, Marty Hore, Tom McDonald, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Ricky Mentha, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Oliver Sestan, Charlie Spargo, Will Verrall and Taj Woewodin.
Goodwin had great relationships with many of his players, particularly Melksham, who he mentioned at his farewell press conference. Melksham has had a career renaissance this season, and appeared all but certain to remain, but that could change.
McVee is a fascinating case. He is part of the youth movement, but has interest from both Western Australians clubs to return home. Kysaiah Pickett is contracted through until the end of 2034, but he, too, had a strong relationship with Goodwin.
Youth movement
The Demons have impressive youngsters, including excellent ball user Xavier Lindsay (19), Harvey Langford (19), Caleb Windsor (20) and Koltyn Tholstrup (20). Key forward Jacob Van Rooyen (22) has played 53 games and has time on his side, but remains an enigma inside attacking 50.
Small defender Jake Bowey (22) is already a premiership player and a regular selection, but, with 76 senior games, is still working towards his prime. McVee (22) has 60 games to his credit, and is also on the rise. The Demons will not want to lose him.
The indicative 2025 national draft order could see the Demons’ first pick being at No.24, as they do not have a first-round selection because of last year’s pick swaps for Essendon’s No.9 selection, allowing them to take Lindsay.
One recruiting source said the Demons may need to consider a serious back-up for Max Gawn, while a key forward should also be of interest.
Can a new coach provide the immediate bump Green wants?
This remains an intriguing question. One competition source questioned whether the Demons needed to take a step back, allowing the youngsters to emerge and embrace a new game plan, before they could contend again.
Max Gawn and Jake Lever watch Simon Goodwin’s farewell.Credit: Jason South
However, this also depends on the vision of the new coach, and how honest he – and the club’s executive and board – are about where the team sits.
The Demons have not won a final since their 2021 premiership triumph.
Collingwood great Nathan Buckley, who on Wednesday confirmed his interest in the top job, said he agreed with Goodwin’s assertion that the Demons could rise quicker than many expected. But this came with the caveats of a refreshed game plan, and a harmonious club culture.
However, AFL greats James Hird and Rory Sloane, speaking on Nine’s Footy Classified, do not expect the Demons to play finals for at least two years.
Hird, who has ruled himself out of the Demons job, said Gawn, 34, was “probably not” going to be there for their next flag.
“They have a demographic that is [good] age wise, but I don’t think they have the young talent and ability to move the ball. It is going to take two or three years to get them back to the top end of the finals, maybe a couple to get back into the bottom end of the finals,” Hird said.
Hard-running wingman Ed Langdon said on Wednesday the Demons still had a strong core group of players, and finals “will certainly be the goal next year”.
Speaking of the game plan
After a winless opening five rounds, Goodwin stressed the need for a more attacking game plan, and better ball movement. Goodwin had been too slow in enacting change over the past two seasons, where the game shifted to a more running, uncontested style, not the grit and grind which had served the Demons well.
The problem was, while this new style was sometimes on show, it wasn’t always the case. The Demons still too often bombed the ball inside attacking 50, rather than handballing their way through traffic and looking for a pass to just outside the arc, allowing then for deep entries towards goal.
“He [Goodwin] won a premiership with a game plan that was about contested footy, defence, it was about contest and clearance. The game has moved on. He has tried to move on, but it hasn’t worked for him,” Hird noted.
The Demons are ranked No.1 for contested possession differential and hardball get differential, but are 15th for transition from defensive 50 to forward 50.
The manner in which they coughed up the greatest-ever lead at a final change, against St Kilda in round 20 told the tale of a confused, disorganised team – and club – in need of change.
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By the numbers
The Demons have the seventh-oldest list (average age 25.9), with average career games of 115 (fifth most). They have nine players aged 30 or older – only Geelong (10) and Collingwood (12) have more.
Summary
Overall, competition sources say the Demons demographically are in a relatively healthy spot, but will need to make calls on a few of their veterans when it comes to shaping their premiership vision. They have young talent, but are a bit light on in the overall quality of their 23 to 29-year-olds.
