AFTER falling short in a Grand Final, any team would want a shot at redemption.

Melbourne’s AFLW side doesn’t have to wait too long for that exact opportunity with season seven of the competition approaching in a hurry.

The Demons barely got an off-season this time around, but senior coach Mick Stinear said that’s exactly the way his side likes it.

“It’s lucky everyone loves footy,” he told Melbourne Media.

“It was a quick little spell, probably more of a mental break than anything.

“From the disappointment of last season coming off the Grand Final, you still get the opportunity to contend this year, and with a very similar group.

“We’re thankful for the opportunity and take the momentum of where the team got to last season.

“We fell short from being able to compete with the best, but we’re pretty confident, if we put our heads down and work hard enough, we might be able to contend in finals again this season and go one further.”

And where better to kick off the second campaign of 2022 than in South Australia against the reigning premiers.

“We’re right back into the thick of things now having three weeks under our belt of the pre-season and the group’s in great spirits,” Stinear said.

“With the fixture just dropping it sort of feels like everything’s gaining some momentum now.”

With plenty of time to prepare for the opening game of the season in August, Stinear is confident his group will be ready to perform.

“At this stage we’re sort of having to pull them back a little bit at training, they’re still fully wound up from last season,” he said.

“I’m confident they’ll be ready when the season comes around.

“We’ll take the 10 home and away games and a final eight this year and we’ll be making sure we’re putting our hand up to compete again.”