OVER the next few days, we’ll be reviewing the 2018 seasons of every Melbourne-listed player in numerical order.
First up, we look back the seasons of Jesse Hogan, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem, James Harmes and Christian Petracca.
#1 - Jesse Hogan
Games played: 20
The key forward had his best season yet in red and blue, kicking a career-best 47 goals.
Hogan moved further up the ground at stages in 2018, which suited him well, as he recorded 20 or more disposals in eight games.
A foot injury in round 21 against Sydney ended Hogan’s season and he was unable to play a role in the finals series.
Had his best game of the season against Adelaide in round 10 in Alice Springs, when he kicked five goals, gathered 20 disposals and took four contested marks in Melbourne’s win.
#2 – Nathan Jones
Games played: 25
Jones was one of many outstanding contributors in Melbourne’s midfield, averaging just over 24 disposals a game.
As Melbourne’s young midfield brigade emerged, the co-captain benefited from a move to the wing, which allowed the Demons to harness his ball movement skills well.
In 2018, Jones also became just the eighth player to play 250 games for Melbourne, which he surpassed in round 11 against the Western Bulldogs.
His best match of the season came in the 109-point demolition of Carlton in round nine, when he recorded 31 disposals, 17 contested possessions and eight inside 50s
#3 – Christian Salem
Games played: 24
A strict pre-season regime set Christian Salem up for his best year in footy so far.
The speedy defender not only applied pressure well down back and forced turnovers - he also cleared it out of the backline well, leading the club in rebound 50s for the season, with 95 total.
His effectiveness with ball in hand was also a highlight, with a disposal efficiency of 75.7% from an average 20.5 disposals a game.
Salem’s best match of the season came in round 16 against Fremantle in Darwin, where he had 29 disposals, five rebound 50s and a goal in Melbourne’s 54-point win over the Dockers.
#4 – James Harmes
Games played: 25
Harmes took his game to the next level in 2018, emerging as a key component of Melbourne’s midfield structure.
The 23-year-old was consistent throughout the season, playing every match – however it was his work as a tagger from round 17 that stood out.
In that job, he ensured ball magnets such as Joel Selwood, Jack Macrae and Josh Kelly had very little impact on the contest.
As a tagger, Harmes still managed to win plenty of the ball himself however, averaging 21.3 disposals per game across the season. Harmes was also ranked second at the club for total tackles behind Clayton Oliver, with 131.
Harmes’ highlight of the season came against the GWS Giants in round 23, when he not only restricted Josh Kelly to 19 touches – but also managed 29 disposals, six clearances and a goal himself.
#5 – Christian Petracca
Games played: 24
In his third year of AFL football, Christian Petracca continued to show signs of his elite talent.
Petracca averaged 20.3 disposals per game across 24 matches, while also averaging 9.6 contested possessions a game. He was also a handy contributor up forward, kicking 19 goals for the season.
He had a quiet elimination final against Geelong but bounced back the next week against the Hawks with 22 disposals and seven inside 50s to play a role in Melbourne’s advance to the preliminary final.
At the end of the season, he was rewarded with selection in the AFL Players Association’s 22Under22 team for the second time in his career.
Petracca’s best performance of 2018 came in round 16 against Fremantle, when he racked up a stunning 20 contested possessions and 29 overall disposals.
