The club:
Formed: 1858
Joined AFL: 1897
Premierships: 12 – 1900, 1926, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964
Last finals appearance: 2006, second semi-final.

2006 at a glance:
After losing its first three games Melbourne’s September aspirations looked decidedly shaky. But the Demons re-grouped, won 10 of their next 11 games and eventually finished the home and away season with 14 wins, seven losses and a draw. Neale Daniher’s side accounted for St Kilda in the first week of the finals before bowing out with an away loss to Fremantle.

2007 to date:
What appeared a case of déjà vu turned into something more nasty for Demons supporters. Melbourne lost its first three games of the season, plus another six – to sit at 0-9. The Dees then beat Adelaide and Collingwood in successive games before a 49-point loss to Richmond precipitated the announcement of Daniher’s departure. "The Reverend" coached one more game – an agonising two-point defeat by Essendon – and was replaced by his former assistant Mark Riley for the weekend win over Carlton.

The coach:
Riley isn’t particularly well-known, but it’s difficult to argue with his record at present – one game coached for one win. A former Claremont player, Riley was assistant coach in the Tigers’ 1993 WAFL premiership and guided the club to the 1994 final as senior coach. Assisted with Fremantle and spent two more years back at Claremont prior to joining the Demons in 2003.

Missing in action:
There is little doubt Melbourne’s squad merits a better record than 3-11. But it would also be folly to underestimate the Demons’ struggle to get their best side on the park – even if the injury list has been padded by “resting” players in preparation for 2008. David Neitz (knee), Cameron Bruce (hamstring) and Nathan Carroll (concussion) are listed for tests this week. But Travis Johnstone, Brad Green and Daniel Bell are likely to miss another couple of weeks. Gone for the season are Jared Rivers, Matthew Whelan, Adem Yze and Clint Bartram, while Queenslander Ricky Petterd suffered a collapsed lung against Carlton and would be lucky to return before season’s end.

The gun:
With so many players unavailable, this mantle falls to Russell Robertson  - who would have been a contender for the nod in any case. A favourite of commentator Dennis Cometti, “Robbo” is well known for his high-marking, goal-kicking and all-round mercurial play. Famously drafted after appearing on Almost Footy Legends, the 28-year-old has kicked 25 goals this year, including five in the weekend win over the Blues.

The bolter:
Matthew Bate is pretty hard to miss on the field – his hair is as close to fire-engine red as is naturally possible. But he’s also been catching the eye for football-related reasons. Blessed with a raking left-foot kick, strong hands and good size and agility, the No.13 selection from the 2004 NAB AFL National Draft has stamped himself as a star of the very near future.

Strengths:
When everyone is up and running, the Demons feature a multitude of skilled mid-size runners – which is why Lions fans should be glad to see Bruce, Johnstone, Yze, Green, Bell and Bartram on the injury list. As it is, the likes of Nathan Brown, Simon Godfrey, Nathan Jones, Brock McLean, Colin Sylvia and James McDonald are handy enough. Aaron Davey is one of the most explosive players in the competition, Neitz has 620 career goals, Robertson is a tough match-up for any side and Jeff White was an All-Australian ruckman in 2004. Melbourne also has little to lose.

Weaknesses:
Melbourne has always had a knock on its toughness and, with Byron Pickett out of the seniors there isn’t too much to change people’s mind on that score. Another perception is that, for all their skills, Bruce, Johnstone, Green et al don’t grab enough games by the scruff of the neck. The defence lacks experience and its lynchpin, Carroll, is under a fitness cloud and sometimes inconsistent – Daniel Bradshaw booted eight against him at the Gabba last year.

The Queensland factor:
Petterd’s absence is unfortunate – the young Broadbeach product has been excellent in his first year. Kedron Grange alumni Clint Bizzell played his best senior game for some time against Carlton, while Brad Miller (Mt Gravatt) adds to Melbourne’s Queensland flavour.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club