http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/melbour ... c5e0500a3dJulian de Stoop wrote:SINCE their inception, Gold Coast and GWS Giants have been constantly compared to one another.
Right now it’s no contest — the boys from Western Sydney are miles in front.
Wind the clock back to the mid 2000s and it was another two teams — St Kilda and Geelong — drawing the comparisons.
Despite St Kilda taking the early points, a young Paul Chapman declared Geelong had the brighter future. He was right. The Cats went on to win three flags, while the Saints came up short in 2009 and 2010.
Once again the Saints are building, but this time matching them step for step is Melbourne.
On Saturday, St Kilda won the battle at Etihad Stadium — in fact they have won the past 13 battles against the Demons — but will they win the war and snare that elusive premiership?
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The Saints’ one and only came in 1966. The Demons last triumph was two years earlier in 1964. Both teams are hungry to build on their silverware. But who is better equipped?
Let’s take a look at their respective lists.
In the ruck, Melbourne has a star in the making in Max Gawn. But if he goes down Paul Roos doesn’t have much to call on.
Tom Hickey is starting to emerge at St Kilda, with Billy Longer a more than capable understudy.
Key backs Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster are in the twilight of their careers, but next year Alan Richardson will welcome Jake Carlisle to his back six, while youngster Hugh Goddard is highly rated.
The Demons will be desperate to re-sign Tom McDonald. He’s really the club’s only A-Grade key back, although Christian Salem and Heritier Lumumba are fine running defenders.
The Saints are also served well in this area by Shane Savage and Jimmy Webster, who also provide plenty of run.
At the other end, Melbourne hopes to build a forward line around Jesse Hogan and Sam Weideman.
Jesse Hogan is a central linchpin in the Demons’ future. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Jesse Hogan is a central linchpin in the Demons’ future. Picture: Wayne LudbeySource: News Corp Australia
St Kilda want to do likewise with Paddy McCartin and Josh Bruce. Nick Riewoldt will provide plenty of assistance for hopefully another 18 months.
The Demons have a quality small forward in Jeff Garlett, with Dean Kent and Ben Kennedy emerging, while Simon Goodwin will hope Jack Watts can become like Jack Gunston.
Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair have made promising starts in the red, white and black.
While the teams are comparable around the ground, it’s in the midfield where Melbourne appears to have the edge when it comes to young talent. Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver should be elite, while Jack Viney is still only 22, as is Dom Tyson.
Blake Acres, Jack Billings and Luke Dunstan headline the young Saints in the engine room, while Nathan Freeman has loads of talent if his hamstrings ever let him use it. Jade Gresham has made a promising start. Seb Ross and Jack Newnes continue to improve, with Leigh Montagna, David Armitage and Jack Steven guiding them along.
Nathan Jones and Bernie Vince have been outstanding in recent seasons, Tom Bugg has started his career at Melbourne in impressive style with the talented yet inconsistent Jake Melksham to be added next season.
In terms of game style, Richardson has won plenty of plaudits. The Saints were the best pressure team in the competition last season and with ball in hand they are prepared to be bold.
The Demons are getting better in this area and although their defensive systems completely failed against the Saints last week, they have improved a hell of a lot under Roos.
The Saints are hopeful Josh Bruce (centre) and Paddy McCartin (left) can emulate Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Colleen Petch.
The Saints are hopeful Josh Bruce (centre) and Paddy McCartin (left) can emulate Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia
So the big question is who is likely to challenge first?
It’s the Demons for me.
Premiership winning teams have elite midfields and Melbourne should have one in the not-too-distant future.
The Saints’ first priority in this year’s draft should be to emulate Melbourne’s engine room in hunting out a quality midfielder.
On top of this, the Demons have a potential once-in-a-generation player in Hogan, while the Saints will soon lose their equivalent in Riewoldt.
Whoever emerges first will still have one giant hurdle standing in their way — a certain team from the west of Sydney.
I don't like it but its hard to argue. Their midfield is shaping up really well.
I wonder though, if we might end up a bit more even across the ground. A bit like Geelong in the 2000s.
