The Year to Come - Melbourne

It doesn't seem that long ago that this was going to be the future for the Dees... a merger with the poo hawks.  Personally I think these colours work very well together.  Although some may say that if you do spot these colours together in yer undies, you need to consult the doctor VERY quickly. 

But it's a few years on from those 'bad' ole days, and the Hawks have won a Premiership while the Dees have struggled and sniffed around the bottom of the table. As such, they have been stocking up young Round 1 picks for the last few years while they lose lose lose, and this year is the one they need to ramp it up.   With just 5 players on their list having over 100 games experience, this is one hellova young team.  And they definitely have some players that will excite - Liam Jurrah is the obvious one, while Maric will be in a few dream teams, Scully, Watts and Trengove are all on the brink - they just need to take the jump.

Basically, what they are lacking in my humble is a couple of great forwards.  I know you don't 'need' a Franklin, or a Riewoldt, but in the absence of them you do need some consistent scorers.  And they don't have them - simple.

The Dees will win their fair share of games but not enough to make the 8 - and maybe they'll have Micky Mouse at the helm in 2012 as a result...

Finishing Position: 9th - 12th