NATHAN JONES
The captain and, increasingly, the heartbeat of Melbourne as it emerges from its bleakest era. Apart from three consecutive best and fairests he has flown the flag in the middle against enormous odds, displaying courage, endurance and skill to get the ball moving to his team's advantage. He has missed one game in five years and just five in the past eight seasons. That could lead to him being taken for granted but remove him from the Demons' line-up for any length of time and his real impact would be recognised. Unlucky not to be All Australian in 2014, the 26-year-old is reaching his peak and will be solely responsible for bringing the next classy generation of midfielders through the system.
KEY 2014 STATS: Games 22. Ranked second in the AFL for disposals; 14th for contested and uncontested possessions; In the past three seasons he has ranked No.1 at Melbourne for kicks, disposals, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, clearances, inside 50s, score involvements and tackles.

JESSE HOGAN
Key forwards have always carried the hopes of supporters but few debuts will be as anticipated as Hogan's. After winning the Casey Scorpions best and fairest and leading goalkicker in 2013 when ineligible to play AFL, he missed 2014 due to a back injury, making just one NAB Challenge and one VFL appearance. Hogan's biggest assets are his competitiveness and his endurance. He trains hard, is strong in the one-on-ones and is built like a boulder. His importance to the Demons' structure can't be underestimated, as he will enable their midfielders to attack with confidence and their crumbers to get to work. Without him too much is left to Chris Dawes and the method of attack is less assertive. The only word of caution is that even the best big, 19-year-old key forwards need time.
KEY 2014 STATS: Games 0. In 2013, he won a VFL club best and fairest and led Casey Scorpions' goalkicking with 39 goals as an 18-year-old, ranking second in the VFL for marks and contested marks inside 50 and kicking at 65 percent accuracy.