According to Paul Roos, the Demons are ‘tired’. With six goals or fewer in four of their past six games, that statement seems apt.



A loss to the Eagles on Saturday night has taken its toll.



When NMFC.com.au last previewed Melbourne ahead of the teams’ Round 14 clash, its huge improvement was the focus. Nine weeks and nine losses later, the Demons are back under the microscope for all the wrong reasons.

Since a famous one-point victory over Essendon in Round 13, there’s been little to smile about.



But Melbourne’s situation is perhaps not as bleak as many are suggesting. With four victories, the Demons have doubled their win tally from last year. In the process, there have been huge steps forward across the board.

While Roos’ off-season moves were considered risky, on the most part they’ve paid off. Dom Tyson has been a revelation through the midfield and has gone a long way to justifying the trade off the second pick in the Draft. The experience of Bernie Vince has been invaluable, while Daniel Cross has provided a valuable sounding board for Melbourne’s youngsters. Lynden Dunn has had his best season to date, while Jeremy Howe and Jack Viney continue to take steps forward. The inspirational skipper Nathan Jones hasn’t missed a beat either.

But after just ten wins in the past three seasons, a winning formula isn’t going to come overnight.





From a win/loss perspective, it’s been another tough year for Demons’ supporters, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Finishing on a winning note would be the perfect way to end an encouraging year.