AS the reigning premiers, last season was always going to be a tricky one for those in red and blue with the added pressure of trying to defend a long sought title.

Although the home and away season went almost to plan, a late season slump saw the Dees crash out of finals in straight sets.

With the pain of that behind them and after an offseason list rejuvenation of a rate rarely seen from the Dees, will they be able to return to the top of the pecking order in 2024?

TEAM LIST

#1 Georgia Campbell

#2 Olivia Purcell

#3 Alyssia Pisano

#4 Paxy Paxman

#5 Tyla Hanks

#6 Alyssa Bannan

#7 Tayla Harris

#8 Sarah Lampard

#9 Georgia Gall

#10 Kate Hore

#11 Delany Madigan

#12 Ryleigh Wotherspoon

#13 Maeve Chaplin

#14 Lily Mithen

#15 Lauren Pearce

#16 Grace Beasley

#17 Tahlia Gillard

#18 Denby Taylor

#19 Grace Hill

#21 Aimee Mackin *

#22 Eliza McNamara

#23 Sinead Goldrick

#24 Megan Fitzsimon

#25 Jacinta Hose *

#26 Rhiannon Watt

#28 Saraid Taylor

#29 Eden Zanker

#30 Shelley Heath

#31 Blaithin Mackin

#32 Gabby Colvin

#33 Lily Johnson

#43 Jemma Rigoni

* Inactive

SQUAD CHANGES

In: Alyssia Pisano, Delany Madigan, Ryleigh Wotherspoon, Grace Beasley, Denby Taylor, Grace Hill, Jacinta Hose, Lily Johnson, Jemma Rigoni

Out: Aimee Mackin (inactive), Maddi Gay, Libby Birch, Eliza West, Georgie Fowler, Casey Sherriff, Jordan Ivey, Charlotte Wilson, Samantha Johnson

FIXTURE

Match 1: August 31 vs Geelong at GMHBA Stadium

Match 2:  September 7 vs Brisbane at Casey Fields

Match 3: September 15 vs North Melbourne at Casey Fields

Match 4: September 21 vs Fremantle at Fremantle Oval

Match 5: September 27 vs Essendon at Windy Hill

Match 6: October 3 vs GWS at Ikon Park

Match 7: October 9 vs Adelaide at Norwood Oval

Match 8: October 13 vs St Kilda at RSEA Park

Match 9: October 19 vs Richmond at Casey Fields

Match 10: October 24 vs Hawthorn at Cazaly’s Stadium

Match 11: October TBC vs Collingwood at Ikon Park

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

What will the effect of so many list changes be?

One thing that Melbourne does not do very often is big list changes, with most years only seeing a small handful of list changes. That did not happen last season, with nine list changes made, with many of the departures regularly in the best 21. That kind of change all at once can be really disrupting, but time will tell if the Dees suffer that fate.

How do you solve a problem like replacing Liv Purcell?

After Melbourne’s practice match last weekend, it was revealed that star midfielder Liv Purcell would be missing a large chunk of the season after fracturing her face in that match. This leaves Melbourne with quite a problem to fix, because Purcell is a huge part of Melbourne’s midfield, and the Dees do not necessarily have a like for like replacement for her. Shelley Heath may be the best fit to fill Purcell’s role, but it will be interesting to see what the coaches decide to do.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Ryleigh Wotherspoon

Wotherspoon was not really on any outsider’s radar heading into the draft last year, but there was enough interest in her for the Dees to snap her up with pick 12.

As a cross coder with not a lot of footballing history behind her, it will be interesting to watch how she transitions up to the big time.

PREDICTION

Melbourne has been one of the most consistently high performing sides for a long time and for good reason, and that should not really change this season. The Demons did have a rare drop off in form at the end of last year and did have a lot of list turn over, but last time they had this much list turnover in one offseason they went on to make a Preliminary Final, so do not be surprised if 2024 sees history repeat itself.

Melbourne should make at least the top four, but beyond that remains to be seen as it seemed to particularly struggle against the top sides last season.