ARRIVALS: Daniel Cross, Alex Georgiou, James Harmes, Jesse Hogan, Jayden Hunt, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Max King, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley, Christian Salem, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince
DEPARTURES: Tom Couch, Aaron Davey, Troy Davis, Tom Gillies, Joel Macdonald, James Magner, David Rodan, James Sellar, Nathan Stark, Colin Sylvia, Rory Taggert, Josh Tynan
BEST 22
MEDICAL ROOM
PASS MARK FOR 2014: Competitiveness is something that will be expected at Melbourne this year. Melbourne never recovered after losing its first two games by a combined total of 227 points last season. That's why this year, a clear focus will be set on boosting the team's percentage. Tellingly, the club's percentage sat at a dismal 28.39 after the first two rounds of 2013. The additions to the Demons' list – midfielders Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross and Dom Tyson, in particular - should ensure the Demons are in a much brighter spot come the end of the year.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR: Jack Watts. The No. 1 pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft trained with the midfield group throughout the pre-season, with the Demons keen to convert him in to a full-time onballer. He has some serious talent, but it's just a matter of him putting it together on a consistent basis. Watts could help inspire the kind of turnaround the club is searching for.
FIRST FIVE GAMES: St Kilda (ES), West Coast (MCG), GWS (SS), Carlton (MCG), Gold Coast (MCG).
TOUGHEST RUN: When you finish with a win-loss record of 2-20, every game is tough but the Demons have a particularly difficult stretch after their round 10 bye. They face Port Adelaide (round 11), Collingwood, Essendon, North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Geelong and then the Power again in a difficult stretch in the middle of the season. If Melbourne can pinch one win from that lot, it will be satisfied with its efforts.
DREAM SCENARIO: Paul Roos becomes the saviour everyone hopes he can be and the Demons show distinct signs of improvement. Finals are certainly out of the question, but Roos has the ability to put the club in a strong position heading into the future.
WORST NIGHTMARE: The Demons do not win a game for the year, James Frawley decides enough is enough and makes a swift exit and Roos begins to question why he bothered to return to the coaching caper.
PRESSURE RATING ON THE COACH: The Demons virtually begged Roos to take the job, so he is there for as long as he wants to be. Melbourne wants Roos to continue in the role long-term, although it plans to find his successor by the end of this season.
