The Best Lies Ahead For Melbourne

It's easy to immerse yourself in doom and gloom if you're a Melbourne fan. Your team was just annihilated by over 10 goals in a Preliminary Final in front of the footy world, and you have nothing to do but lick your wounds until 2019.

The scars created by Saturday's defeat will last, undoubtedly, through the summer and into next season. But the wonderful momentum created by the Demons' Finals run, and the excitement of the AFL's best young core - and overall list - should create plenty of excitement and enthusiasm amongst the Melbourne fanbase.

With Jesse Hogan and Jake Lever set to return after long injury layoffs, Melbourne have a strong base at both ends of the ground to build their team around.

In Max Gawn, they possess the AFL's premier tap ruckman and unquestioned top 2 overall ruck in the game, whilst Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw, James Harmes and co make up one of the best midfields in the entire competition. 

In fact, it might be the very best.

Simon Goodwin is the coach who will lead this promising young group into an enticing future, with a game plan that clearly stacks up come Finals time. They will learn from their humiliation at the hands of West Coast and be stronger for it, as it should be treated as a hurdle in their journey rather than a hole they can't climb out of.

Statistically, Melbourne showed this year why they are a force to be reckoned with, as the young core of their list will only improve. This year they ranked:

• 1st in contested possessions (2nd best in recorded AFL history)
• 2nd in contested marks
• 1st in marks Inside 50
• 1st in hitouts
• 3rd in clearances
• 1st in tackles
• 1st in inside 50s
• 1st in attack
• 9th in defence

Considering Lever has been out since Round 11 with injury, that defensive rank will surely only improve when he returns.

According to Stats Insider data, Melbourne ranked highest amongst all 18 AFL clubs when placed in an augmented Elo ranking, even above minor Premier, Richmond:

What makes Melbourne's #1 ranking all the more impressive is their somewhat lack of experience compared to other clubs. Averaged by AFL games experience, Melbourne has the 12th least experienced side in the AFL:

The most promising aspect of the Average Games Experience data is that all the clubs below Melbourne on the ranking are rebuilding clubs, whereas Melbourne are now - and will be - a bonafide Premiership contender. They're only going to get better, fitter and stronger with age and further experience.

At the beginning of the year, a successful season for the Demons was said to be winning a final. Melbourne won two September matchups in sensational style. It was the fairytale story that ignited the AFL Finals series.

So, fear not, Melbourne fans, for the best lies ahead. 

A very promising future awaits Melbourne, perhaps as the benchmark of the entire AFL.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook & Twitter!