Opening Round kicks off on Thursday and the pre-season has provided plenty of answers, but certain questions can't be answered until the real stuff starts.

Zero Hanger has outlined a topic likely to garner plenty of discussion at each club in the first month of the season.

8Melbourne Demons

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons kicks a goal during the 2026 AFL match simulation between the Melbourne Demons and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Casey Fields on February 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: Kysaiah Pickett of the Demons kicks a goal during the 2026 AFL match simulation between the Melbourne Demons and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Casey Fields on February 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

How does the new-look midfield perform?

If you could read anything into practice match form, Melbourne fans would be the most buoyed. A demolition of North Melbourne, followed by a strong performance against Richmond that was cut short due to lightning, the Dees looked clinical and exciting with their ball movement and style. Granted, the quality of opponent can be questioned but you can only play who you're up against and Melbourne looked far more exciting with their ball movement, and the skills were at a much higher level than last year. It started in the centre where Kozzie Pickett was the fire starter, and Jack Steele, Trent Rivers, Caleb Windsor and Harvey Langford have all shown at different stages of pre-season that they can deliver Melbourne more efficiency than they have had in recent years. 

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