Could Melbourne's 54-year premiership drought come to an end in 2019?
The Demons were one of the surprise packets in the 2018 finals series by defeating Geelong and Hawthorn, before succumbing to West Coast in the preliminary final.
Last seasons progression, plus the addition of Steven May in the trade period has led to Champion Data ranking the Demons as the best team in the AFL.
According to Champion Data, the Demons have the league's second-best backline, fifth-best forward line and number one midfield.
Melbourne ranked first for hit-outs and second for clearances and tackles last season.The Demons pride themselves on their contested football, with Clayton Oliver leading the way in midfield by being ranked the third best midfielder in the game.
Former Melbourne captain Gary Lyon questioned whether the Demons have the best defence in the league.
โMy question is who has a better defence?โ Lyon toldย SEN Breakfast.
โRichmond with Dylan Grimes, Alex Rance, David Astbury, Bachar Houli, Nick Vlaustin, Jayden Short. For me, that defence for most of 2018, I remember looking at it going, thatโs just incredible. Theyโve been ranked number six.
โItโs a subjective thing and theyโve got a formula, but I would take Richmondโs defence over Melbourneโs, yet Melbourneโs been ranked at two and Richmondโs been ranked at six.
โMaybe itโs the Steven May factor.โ
Melbourne are joined by Adelaide and Richmond as having the top three lists in the competition.
Champion Data's rating of Adelaide comes as a surprise given they finished 12th last season, failing to back up their Grand Final outing in 2017.
Despite their disappointing showing, the Crows rank first for defence, have the second best forward line and the third best midfield.
Champion Data surprisingly ranked premiers West Coast as the 11th best team. The Eagles don't have an elite midfielderย (top 10 per cent of the AFL), with Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and Elliot Yeo all rated above average (11-35 per cent).
Last year, the Eagles ranked last for ground balls during the home and away season but turned it around in September to win the count in every final.
The full list of Champion Data rankings is listed below:
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Richmond
- Essendon
- Collingwood
- Geelong
- GWS Giants
- North Melbourne
- Hawthorn
- Brisbane
- West Coast
- Port Adelaide
- Sydney
- St Kilda
- Western Bulldogs
- Carlton
- Fremantle
- Gold Coast
