Why the Demons are confident Oliver, Petracca can get the club back on track

MELBOURNE believes that with a fit Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver back in the team, the Demons will be back to their best in 2025.

Melbourne’s GM of football performance Alan Richardson has been happy with how the Dees have prepared for 2025 ahead of their pre-season clash with Fremantle this Sunday.

“We think we have had a really strong pre-season where we have been able to get the right amount of load into the right players,” Richardson said on SEN WA Breakfast.

“Even if they haven’t been on the track because of a bit of a niggle, they have been able to do the running load. So, we’re in really good shape and were looking forward to this game.”

One of the big question marks surrounding the Demons has been whether star midfielder Oliver would be capable of returning to his best after speculation surrounded his Demons future.

The three-time All-Australian and four-time best and fairest has struggled last year with injuries, which diminished his influence on the game. He averaged just 23.2 disposals last season, which was his lowest disposal average outside of his debut campaign (19.2 in 2016).

But Richardson has plenty of optimism that Oliver can return to his best for the Demons in 2025 after his unofficial pre-season match against North Melbourne last week.

“It was a very promising first hit out,” Richardson said.

“He’s going really well; he’s a happy footballer. He’s really enjoying whether it’s training or playing, he hasn’t missed a beat for us.”

“And then his form and performance will come from that. We really liked what we saw against the Kangas on the weekend, clearly (Fremantle) is another step up.

“He didn’t have a pre-season at all last year, he played the year with a broken hand and was certainly nowhere near his best by his expectation nor ours.”

Richardson also provided positive words for Petracca, who will make his return against the Dockers after his serious rib, spleen and lung injury suffered in the King’s Birthday match last season.

“He’s done a lot of work and really excited for ‘Trac’,” Richardson said of Petracca.

“He’s looking really powerful. I think he is set for a big year (to) get him back at his best.

“He gives us enormous versatility whether that’s in and around the ball or up forward.”

The Demons played Fremantle at Rushton Park in Mandurah on Sunday in the last game of the AAMI Community Series. Their first game of the 2025 season will be in Round 1 against GWS at the MCG on March 16.

BY NICHOLAS QUINLAN/SEN