ROUND 1 is on our doorstep with the Demons' season-opening clash with the Bulldogs just three days away.

Simon Goodwin fronted the media for his weekly press conference and shared his thoughts on the Bulldogs, 2023 improvements and injury news. See the key points below.

Goodwin on Demon Improvement

"You know, the evidence suggested at the end of last year we needed to find ways to get better. So, you know, we had a great year last year in terms of putting ourselves in a position for success, but we weren't able to do it," Goodwin said.

"So we spend a lot of time working on some of the things in our game that we feel were strengths that we want to turn into weapons and we feel like we're well positioned defensively and offensively to take the game on.

"Certainly something we've worked on in terms of the type of entries  that we want to get. You know, clearly last year at the back end of the year, we weren't getting the type of turnovers that would turn into good offense. But there's no doubt we need to work on our connection inside 50.

"It’s an area of our game that when we play well is had a really high level and when we play poorly it does drop away. So we have spent some time on that and our method on different types of entires and we feel like the type of turnovers we get is going to put us in great spot. So we've worked on our defense to be had to give us those type of turnovers."

The Bulldog Tall Forward Line

"It's interesting. You know, it's a unique thing in the game," Goodwin said on the Dogs' forward structure.

"I think everyone in the competition is looking at it going you know is this going to work? Is playing that many talls inside your forward 50 going to work in a competition sense.

"So we're excited to go up against it. We feel like we've got a back, you know, seven or eight players that will be able to combat that.

"You know, it's a unique thing that we're coming up against, but we feel like we're well prepared and we've got some contingencies, but we've also got some strengths that we want to bring to them in the way that we play, but also our backs operate. So it's going to be a great battle. We're looking forward to it. It's unique."

A Trio to Miss

"Look, Viney, Fritsch and Salem all won't play. Viney is probably, he's close, you know, he's a big chance to play next week and Fritta is very close as well. He'll play next week as well. So and potentially Salem as well," Goodwin said.

"So those three guys just a little bit short in terms of their preparation. But we feel like with another couple of weeks of load into their bodies, they're going to be right for the season, for the whole season. So those three guys won't play and that'll give opportunity to others.

"Oh look, it's genuine because you're playing them on the on the biggest stage and we've had some great contests in the last few years and both contests, all the contests we’ve  have had in the last few years have had huge momentum swings, in terms of how the leads come back."

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The Bulldogs Rivalry

"They've been generally quite close games of footy, so that rivalry is definitely there," Goodwin said.

"In terms of the crowd, I know from my perspective my kids can't wait to get to the footy. The expectation and the excitement for this season of footy and Saturday night at the ‘G. I think our Melbourne supporters will be the same.

"Get along, see a great game of footy, a great rivalry, in close games of footy and that's what we're expecting Saturday night."