TAR My heart beats true

[Pie 4 Life]

​

The sound was deafening inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The full-time siren of the 2011 AFL Grand Final had just sounded. The siren sound had been overlapped by the roar of the Melbourne fans. Many of whom had not witnessed their last triumph in 1964, but today, they were the kings of the AFL. Premiers.

The 22 men that had conquered that day were paraded as champions as they strolled around the ground. For some, it might be their last hurrah, for others, it could well be the start of something special. Many of them had come from other clubs, while some had suffered through some lean years, but none of that mattered.

Key forward Kaden Strathern had been awarded with the Norm Smith Medal for his unbelievable performance on the biggest stage. Originally a third round pick, coach Peter Williams had seen plenty in the young man at a young again and hsi faith had paid off today. In a forward line alongside former Carlton forward Brendan Fevola, Nathan Ablett and Matthew Bate, Strathern had booted 6.8, with 17 possessions and 10 marks. A clear best on ground. During his speech, he joked about his inaccuracy, much to the chuckles of the crowd. But after 49 goals in 14 games at an average of 3.5, he ability was unquestionable.

Perhaps the best stories were that of Brent Prismall and Gary Hoyt, who, along with Nathan Ablett, had been picked up in last year's pre-season draft. Unwanted by their clubs, the trio were picked up by Melbourne and never looked back.

The full side was as follows:

B: Heath Shaw - Matt Maguire - Heath Grundy
HB: Mark Nicoski - Ben Rutten - Jared Rivers
C: Gary Ablett - Abraham Corsini - Brent Moloney
HF: Aaron Davey - Nathan Ablett - Matthew Bate
FF: Brent Prismall - Kaden Strathern - Brendan Fevola
R: Mark Jamar - Kane Cornes - Nathan Jones
INT: Brock McLean - Paul Johnson - Gary Hoyt - Shane Greenwood

Melbourne 4.6---8.8---13.10---16.14 (110)
Fremantle 2.0---6.5---10.10---12.15 (87)

Melbourne goals: Strathern (6), Prismall (2), Fevola (2), N. Ablett (2), Davey, Moloney, Grundy, Jamar.
Melbourne best: Strathern, N. Ablett, Fevola, Jones, Jamar, Davey.

Since taking over at the start of the 2007 season, Williams had seen two previous finals series, but after finishing tenth last year, no-one predicted the Demons to lift the premiership cup aloft in season 2011. But it happened, the drought had been broken. And the hearts of the Melbourne faithful were beating true and loud.​

 

[Pie 4 Life]

​

It was fitting that Brendan Fevola could call it a day. The former Carlton turned Melbourne forward had not taken part in many finals, so it was to no-one's surprise that after finally playing off and winning a grand final, the eccentric key forward called time on his illustrious career. He was by no means finished as a player, but rightly so wanted to come out on top. The decision pleased coach Peter Williams for he had a young charger ready to the fill the void and it would have been tough had Fevola stayed on.

Trey Hadaway signed a new four-year deal because of the news, with Williams telling his 20 year-old forward he would be starting the next season. So much excitement had been brought about by Hadaway and the fans were salivating to get a proper look at him. He had played 10 games and booted 19 goals last season, but in one of the more heartbreaking stories, had been suspended for striking and missed the grand final. He would also miss the first match of 2012.

Like any side that had hit success, players wanted more money and Williams set about signing them up, but knew some tough calls would need to be made at hte trade table. In terms of delistees, 22 year-old small defender Ronald Dugan was not offered another contract. He had managed two games in four seasons and was merely depth, something the club could replace through the drafts. Along with Dugan, Brent Stanton, picked up in the pre-season draft two seasons ago was also delisted. He's played 13 games last season, but when push came to shove, the club retained Brent Moloney over him.

With only $15,200 left, some players would need to be traded to avoid going over the salary cap.​

 

[Pie 4 Life]

​

The biggest shock was the announcement that Brock McLean had been traded. The club's vice-captain had started on the bench in the grand final, but there were others waiting in the wings to take his spot. At $429,000 a year, he was much higher paid than others of similar value, so McLean was traded with 19 year-old small back Griffin Doohan to Essendon for Angus Monfries.

Monfries, a 24 year-old midfielder, was a readymade replacement for McLean and it saved more than $200,000 off the salary cap for only an extra place.

Carlton offered Bradley Fisher for Heath Shaw, which was quickly turned down. The Bulldogs offered 19 year-old key back Oscar Casidy for Kaden Strathern, which was laughed off by the Melbourne recruiting staff.

With one of the hardest trades coming towards the end, Melbourne's Kane Cornes was traded to West Coast with Pick 16 for midfielder Shannon Hurn. At 28, Cornes was in his prime but not for much longer. He also costed four times what Hurn did and Hurn had a big future ahead of him, it was tough, but somethign that needed to be done.

On the last day, Melbourned traded 22 year-old small forward Keith Leader for 20 year-old key forward Alex Nettle. Leader had managed just one game in four years and a chance was needed. Nettle had played just five games for the Hawks, without a goal, but a change of scenary for him could be a good thing.

What many people didn't see coming was the trade of 19 year-old ruck Keegan Rushton to the Hawks for experienced switchman Jarryd Roughead. He would be a good option in defence despite having an already strong defence, but could also play up forward if things weren't going well. It was a win-win for the Dees with other rucks doing so well and coming through the ranks.

Then a final trade of Charlie Gardiner to Carlton with Pick 48 for livewire forward Eddie Betts. It was hoped Betts could add a different dimension to the forward line and at any case, he was an upgrade on Gardiner and a best 22 player, having booted 28 goals last season.​

 

[Pie 4 Life]

​

National Draft day had arrived. Melbourne did not enter the draft until Pick 32 with their only other selection at 64.

When there were on the clock, they looked at the options. The highest rated prospect was key forward Michael Lennon, rated at 14. He was consistent, but he was not strong, nor fast, nor accurate. It was easy to see why the other teams had let him slip through.

The next highest was Sandringham's Gabriel Kays, an elite running midfielder who would be your ultimate depth player. Okay skills, very good speed, good strength for his side and a solid consistent midfielder. But picking players that just filled the bill was not something Williams had planned on doing. He wanted to take risks and draft accordingly.

In the end, it wasn't so much of a risk as a surprise. The Demons selected midfielder Alan Earl who was the ultimate utility. He could play back or forward and had elite skills, with which he could slot into the team from day dot if required. With less dedicated small forwards and defenders in the team, he would coome in very handy for the club.

If Earl had been a surprise pick, Stephen Culpitt, a small forward taken by the Demons wth the last pick in teh draft was a complete shock. A little known speedster from the Eastern Ranges had played a handful of games, looked good without starring and was rated 101st of the draft nominees. He had elite skills and speed, great consistency and was a solid kick for goal. His endurance and strength let him down, but Williams was willign to take the punt.

Alan Earl and Stephen Culpitt, may your hearts beat true.​

 

[Pie 4 Life]

​

A further two selections were required to fill out Melbourne's list when they headed to the pre-season draft. Former midfielder Cameron Bruce who had been controversially delisted due to salary cap issues they year before when they picked up Nathan Ablett was at the top of the pile in the PSD. A year on, the Demons fans did not seem to mind the decision made with Ablett having a profound influence in their premiership year. The Demons would not be able to afford Bruce even if they wanted to redraft him.

Not needing anything in particular, the Demons would go for best available. In the draft they found 21 year-old key forward Caleb Beaumont available. He had not played a game with previous club Fremantle and was still left with improvement to come. While he would be behind in the pecking order, playing alongside younger forwards might spur him on to improve rapidly.

The other player selected was key back Nicolas Mundheng. He was 22 and had played 78 games in four seasons but was controversially delisted by West Coast despite 23 games last year. He was not a high possession winner, and he was as slow as a German tank, but he was one of the strongest players in the league and was a strong mark and good spoiler. He was worth a spot for nothing in return.

They did not need more key position players, but considering those available, the plan for the Demons had changed.​

 

[Pie 4 Life]

​

Melbourne's training camp had brought about much excitement. They had headed to the Grampians to test themselves up the steep tracks. Reports had been that youngester Trey Hadaway and Trent Mainwaring had made excellent improvement, while Dillon Lenowry had also impressed at the camp.

Recruit Angus Monfries was rated pre-season by the Herald Sun as the recruit of the year, adding to the star midfield that already contained Gary Ablett, Abraham Corsini and Nathan Jones, four of the best midfielders in teh game. Throw in Shannon Hurn and it was unbelievable.

The first pre-season match would be against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on a Friday night. It would be a great warm-up for the Demons and how they had prepared to greet the new year following their premiership. They were no longer the hunters, but the hunted and other teams wanted to test themselves against Melbourne, who had now been placed as the benchmark.

With fans keen to see the combination of Strathern and Hadaway in work, plenty of Demons fans made the trip down the highway. Going in strong favourites, the visiting fans weren't disappointed, with Melbourne holding a four-goal lead by quarter time. The Demons extended it to 33 points by half-time and a huge 45 points by the final change. After the last break, they put the cue in the rack and held on to a comfortable 43-point win.

Strathern had been solid n his first hit-out with 3.2 from 11 possessions and seven mark. Hadaway had failed to hit hte scoreboard, but had still collected 13 possesions and took four marks. Betts booted two goals in his debut game, while Corsini and Jones booted five between them. Those two were busy around the ground, while Matthew Bate played the role of a midfielder from the forward pocket, only kicking a behind, but taking eight marks and having 26 possessions in the win. More importantly, Melbourne had not suffered any injuries or reports.​