Draft picks: 10, 27, 45, 64, 82

Delistings: Melbourne's VFL affiliate the Casey Demons will have a number of senior-listed players in the side for the duration of their finals campaign. However, Heritier Lumumba (retired) will be officially scratched from the club's list, while Jack Trengove, Liam Hulett and Mitch White are among those unlikely to be offered new contracts.

Retirees: With Bernie Vince to get a new one-year deal, the Demons are not expected to have any retirees. Cam Pedersen has signed a one-year extension, while Nathan Jones is contracted until 2018 and Jordan Lewis to 2019.

Medical room: Jesse Hogan will be ready to start pre-season on time, with the hamstring he injured against Collingwood in round 23 set to heal over the next month. It is understood Jack Viney does not need surgery on his injured foot, but the Demons will monitor the situation closely. Melbourne ruled out seven players for the rest of the season – Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor), Colin Garland (knee), Dean Kent (shoulder), Pat McKenna (hamstring), Joel Smith (knee), Tim Smith (foot) and Aaron vandenBerg (heel).

Free agents unsigned: Jack Trengove, Jake Spencer

Best and fairest: Monday, October 9, Crown Palladium

The coach: Goodwin was met with a number of challenges through 2017 – a decimated ruck department, Hogan's cancer diagnosis, allegations of ill discipline, and losing games the club was expected to win. Although Melbourne ultimately failed to make finals, it's hard to argue that Goodwin and the Demons are not on the right track.

Footy staff: The Demons do not expect many changes to their football department, with the Goodwin regime prepared to back-in the existing panel of assistant coaches and fitness staff.

Off-field health: Melbourne did not quite reach 50,000 members, but a total of 42,233 is a positive result for the club. The Demons also passed an attendance figure of 800,000 across the home and away season for the first time in the club's history.

Premiership window: Depending on the strength of the breeze, either wide open or slightly ajar.

Need: Out-of-contract Adelaide star Jake Lever is high on the club's wishlist and the Demons are growing increasingly confident that he is attainable. Melbourne is also looking to further bolster its midfield depth in the upcoming draft period.  

Pre-season starts: Still to be announced - Ben Guthrie