SIMON GOODWIN is hoping a solid pre-season and the Demons’ newest recruits and youngsters will help solidify improvements ahead of 2023.  

Goodwin is looking to use the newest recruits and a mix of young up-and-coming stars to take the Demons to the next level in 2023. 

With all eyes on the Dees in the media, Goodwin has highlighted improvements that will solidify Melbourne’s style moving forward.  

“We're excited, we think we've done some work, especially around the way we play in terms to our method but also our physical capacity,” Goodwin told Melbourne Media. 

“You know, we feel like we've prepared as best we can our preseason form’s been strong, but that's just a little taster of what's to come. 

“We want to be a side that not only starts the season well, but we find ways to get better.”  

“We're always looking for ways to get better and really hitting our stride the whole way through the season.” 

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An off-season full of trades saw the Demons land two-time All Australian Brodie Grundy, Western Bulldogs Best and Fairest winner Lachie Hunter and versatile utility Josh Schache.  

“They bring strengths on the field. A two time all-Australian we brought into our footy club to help us in the big man department and form a formidable combination with Max,” adds Goodwin.  

“Lachie is very similar, he brings a strength to us. He uses the ball well inside 50 and he complements the rest of the strengths within our team. 

“With Josh we think he's got some really good development still left in him as a player. We think he provides us with a great option forward of the ball.   

With a few second-year players finding their stride during pre-season, Goodwin has given the youngsters a vote of confidence ahead of the long home-and-away season.  

2022 VFL Premiers Judd McVee and Bailey Laurie have been turning some heads on the track early on.  

“Both two players that have been here at least for a couple of years. Judd is heading into his second season, but Bailey's been a couple of years and I think that's the strength of our VFL program, which has been a really strong development for us,” adds Goodwin. 

“Judd has got enormous ability to win one on ones, he's got a great step and he's quite quick and he wins a lot of defensive contests so he's exciting. 

“Bailey's a very clean player, is very crafty. He's great with his hands, you brings other players into the game. So that's been a great strength of the development program within our footy club.” 

Goodwin hopes that the acquisition of the club’s newest recruits and emerging young guns will help move the Demons into pole position to improve on any issues raised in 2022.  

“We feel like we've got some young players, whether it be Laurie, McVee, Jacob van Rooyen, Taj Woewoodin and Blake Howes that are ready to play AFL footy given their chance,” said Goodwin. 

“And given their opportunity we think at times they're going to make us better and I'm looking forward that excitement. 

“Clearly defensively, we've been strong for a few years now and that needs to stay.  

“We're working on a whole range of things within our system to get better at what it looks like, inside forward 50 is looking good at training. So, we're looking forward to assessing it on a weekly basis and continuing to get better in that space. 

Goodwin hopes these additions will see the Demons improve for the 2023 season with an injection of young blood to help boost the entire squad. 

With all eyes on the Bulldogs on Saturday night at the G, the Demons aim to start their campaign in a successful manner.