Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo says the only thing that could stop Melbourne from having a successful 2019 is a complacent attitude.
After a terrific 2018 campaign which resulted in a first Preliminary Final appearance in 18 years, the Demons are tipped to be one of the club’s that can mount a serious challenge for this season’s premiership.
Champion Data even ranked their list as the best in the competition.
Dal Santo hopes Simon Goodwin’s side has returned to pre-season in the right frame of mind and that they learned from their heavy finals exit to eventual premier West Coast.
“If the Dees don’t think they’re going to be any good, then I think they’re going to be fine this year,” Dal Santo told SEN Breakfast.
“In regards to coming back and expecting that it’s not just going to happen, natural evolution and natural improvement will carry them over the line, if they come back with a mentality that it’s going to be hard work….then I think they’re going to have a very good year.
“They would have had some really good learnings out of last year, they had those two games, the first two finals they were sensational and then got an absolute touch up in the west.
“I think it will hold them in better stead going into this pre-season into this football season and ultimately when September comes around again.”
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The former St Kilda and North Melbourne star believes the Dees have all the appropriate components in place with the only question mark surrounding whether Sam Weideman can adequately replace the departed Jesse Hogan.
“Have they got enough inside midfielders that win their own football? Yes. Do they have enough outside run that can that use the football by foot and hit a target? Yes. Have they got a good ruckman? Hell yes,” Dal Santo added.
“No (Jesse) Hogan is the question, but of you’re trying to be positive, they didn’t have Hogan for a large chunk of last year. It puts a huge responsibility on Sam Weideman.”
Melbourne take on Port Adelaide in their season opener at the MCG on March 23rd.
Listen to the best bits of Friday morning's edition of SEN Breakfast with Nigel Carmody and Nick Dal Santo in the player below