Coming off 2021, Melbourne had won their drought-breaking premiership and boasted a core of stars under 30.
They started 2022 with 10 straight wins before their season completely unwound, ending in a straight sets finals exit. 2023 would also be marred by off-field issues and also ended following consecutive finals losses.
Cam Mooney always felt this Demons group was capable of winning multiple premierships, and believes they won’t have fulfilled their potential unless they do.
“I’ve been on Melbourne for years because I had a few people down there that I trust and they were saying that these Melbourne guys were reminding them of Geelong – these were Geelong people at Melbourne,” Mooney told SEN’s The Run Home.
“I’ve always said with this group, they should walk away with minimum two, maybe three (premierships), but all of a sudden the last couple of years the window is just starting to close for mine.
“I’m a little bit worried about whether Melbourne gets another (premiership).
“I think that group needs to get at least one more.”
The Dees brought in Shane McAdam, Jack Billings and Tom Fullarton in the trade period, with Brodie Grundy and James Harmes departing the club.
They also added Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup with picks inside the top 15 of the draft.