The Demons are a club in quicksand, and finding that life-saving rope after a 0-4 start is looking more and more remote in a 2025 campaign gone wrong.

For all of Simon Goodwin’s pre-season chat about the players showing “love” for each other after a tumultuous 2024, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the more appropriate question may be whether the time has come to contemplate a split.

Simon Goodwin needs to find answers quickly if the Demons are to rebound in season 2025.Credit: AFL Photos

Heading into Saturday’s crunch clash against Essendon in Adelaide, there is still time to turn this campaign – on and off field – around, but even AFL great Leigh Matthews says the club’s premiership players would know “deep down” they are no longer in serious flag contention.

Steven May was one of Melbourne’s better players against Geelong.Credit: Getty Images

Key defender Steven May suggested the Demons – with 15 premiership players still in the side – had taken a step forward despite their 39-point loss to Geelong last Friday. But that’s difficult to comprehend for many supporters after a winless opening four rounds for the first time since 2012.

That may have also been difficult for Christian Petracca to understand after he showed visible signs of frustration – including throwing his mouthguard into the GMHBA Stadium turf.

“Everyone hates losing, but I think the way we played versus the last couple of weeks, we have come off the field with a bit more, I suppose, confidence; belief in the team,” said May, who was the only Demon among seven players in Friday night’s game to be awarded votes........

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