AFL.COM.AU SEASON REVIEW: MELBOURNE

What worked
- Improvement in the win-loss column. The Demons started from a low ebb, so six wins for the season (two more than last year) was a positive. The Demons beat some top sides too, including Richmond, the Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Collingwood.

- Increased scoring power. Melbourne kicked 100-plus points on three occasions and lifted its average points per game to 70 - 10 points better than last season.

- Melbourne's bookends are quality. Tom McDonald went to the next level as the club's No.1 key defender, while young star Jesse Hogan put together an outstanding first full season in the AFL.

What failed
- Yo-yo style performances. Melbourne was often incapable of playing four quarters of football, with the gap between its best and worst still too far apart.

- Disappointing end. Melbourne lost its way towards the end of the season, with shocking losses to the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and Fremantle emphasising the club's drop away and the work that still needs to be done.

- They still rely on individuals. When Bernie Vince or Nathan Jones fire, the Demons are an infinitely better team. When their top-tier is held in check, there are still too many players that go missing.

What we said in the pre-season
Melbourne's recruits should make it a more consistent side, with Heritier Lumumba, Sam Frost, Jeff Garlett and Ben Newton to have a huge bearing on its success or lack thereof. We predicted they'd finish 17^th, which was lower than the Demons' actual placing, but not too far off the mark.

Overall rating
4/10. The Demons took strides forward but every time they looked like taking a definitive step, they were held back by inconsistency. The young core is developing nicely but the list requires major redevelopments before finals come into the equation. 

The fans' rating 

The coach
Roos reiterated the importance of remaining patient as the club teaches the players the right habits. However, he came under fire late in the year for questioning the 'negativity' surrounding the club. Roos will hand over the reins to coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin at the end of next season.

MVP
Bernie Vince. The midfielder will likely find himself in All Australian calculations after enjoying his most consistent season with the Demons. He relished the opportunity to go head-to-head with a number of the competition's star midfielders, although he still had the licence to run off and hurt his opponent going the other way.

Surprise packet
Aaron vandenBerg. Elevated off the rookie list prior to the season, the 23-year-old made a decisive impact in 2015. The former NEAFL star added a hard edge through the midfield and half-forward, before a hamstring injury and then an ankle complaint ended his season prematurely.

Get excited
Jesse Hogan. Justified the hype with an outstanding first full season in the AFL. Hogan is fourth in the League for contested marks heading into the final round, while he has also kicked 41 goals for the season. Will battle it out with Carlton's Patrick Cripps for this year's NAB AFL Rising Star Award. 

Disappointment
Heritier Lumumba/Chris Dawes. The ex-Magpies set standards for their younger teammates, but their on-field production was not up to scratch. Lumumba's role was undefined and he struggled mightily because of it, while Dawes proved he is not the answer as Hogan's forward line partner.

Heritier Lumumba struggled badly in his first season with the Dees. Picture: AFL Media

Best win: The 24-point win over Geelong, round 12, Simonds Stadium. The Demons broke a 10-year drought at Kardinia Park with a momentous win in what was supposed to be a celebration for Corey Enright's 300^th game.

Low point: Consecutive losses to the Western Bulldogs (98 points) and Carlton (23 points) in rounds 20 and 21 highlighted why the Demons are still in the bottom half of the ladder.

The big questions:
-Can Melbourne narrow the gap between its best and worst football? Melbourne's inconsistency through games is the No.1 thing stopping it from climbing up the ladder. Adding more talented players should help address those concerns.

-Will the list be in suitable shape when Simon Goodwin takes over in 2017? Melbourne's hope is that Goodwin will have a decent list to mould his way when he begins his coaching tenure in two years' time.

-Can the Demons reach their stated aim of making the finals next season? Melbourne has set itself the bold objective of making the finals in 2016. Based on this year's performances, it's hard to see that eventuating.

Season in a song: Negative Creep by Nirvana

Who's done?
Retirements: Mark Jamar is the only Demon old enough to hang up the boots, but could well play on next season. Daniel Cross announced his retirement after an impressive two seasons with Melbourne.

Delistings: Jordie McKenzie, Rohan Bail, Aidan Riley and Jamar are all in trouble. Melbourne has made 22 list changes in the past 18 months and you can expect many more in the off-season. Jack Fitzpatrick and Cam Pedersen may also be added to those names. Matt Jones and Dean Terlich are contracted until the end of next season. 

Trades/free agents: Jeremy Howe looks increasingly likely to leave Melbourne, with Gold Coast reportedly lurking. The Demons are confident they will retain Colin Garland, a restricted free agent, although he is yet to sort out a new deal with the club.

What they need
Roos has made no secret of the fact Melbourne needs an A-grade midfielder to complement the likes of Jones and Vince. The Demons also require players who possess speed and line-breaking ability. Expect the Demons to be active in this year's trade period.

What's the time? 6 o'clock.
The Demons appear a long way off featuring in premiership contention, having not made the finals since 2006. However, they are on the right track under the tutelage of Roos and Goodwin.

Early call: 12-15th
Melbourne should again improve in 2016, but the problem for the Demons is, opposition clubs are likely to be stronger again next season.