The Demons hadn't won an opening-round match for a decade, breaking the drought in a solid four-quarter performance against the Gold Coast Suns, whom many had tipped to make the finals at a minimum. Only Mark Jamar remains from the team that last played in a round one win, back in 2005, highlighting the turnover in this list.

It's a team filled with promise and for Ultimate Footy coaches that means there is value to be found.

Saturday's game reinstalled the faith, with Melbourne's ball movement a true measure of its progression out of the bottom four. Taking the game on at every chance, through the corridor more likely than not, Melbourne was reminiscent of a Geelong premiership team. The rapid counter-attack caught the Suns off guard, playing with adventurous spirit and composure.

Captain Nathan Jones was influential, accumulating 25 disposals and was his usual bullish self. Melbourne's best player and top fantasy performer from 2014 continued on his merry way, but he had plenty of help.

Jack Viney was a monster, keeping Gary Ablett in close check all game. His first-quarter tackle on the former Brownlow medallist set the tone for the rest of the day. A stoppage in the corridor of the forward 50, ended up with the ball in Ablett's hands before Viney ruthlessly crunched him into the ground, leaving a grimace on Ablett's face. Viney managed 85 fantasy points while performing his shut-down role, in a sign of things to come.

The key defensive trio of Lynden Dunn, Tom McDonald and Colin Garland looked like seasoned professionals and made the faithful quickly forget that James Frawley was no longer there. Gold Coast didn't come into the game with many potent tall forwards with Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon unavailable, leaving Sam Day – who was substituted at three-quarter time – and Zac Smith left to do the bulk of the work. Regardless, Melbourne's key defenders were instrumental in the victory.

Seeing off three separate Suns comebacks, the defenders' counter-attack was sublime. McDonald took 12 marks and had a game-high 125 fantasy points playing as the third tall.

Dunn and Garland together added another 10 marks and all but eliminated the Suns' talls of having any influence on the game.

Melbourne's off-season recruits paid dividends early. Heritier Lumumba was relatively quiet in his 200th game after copping a run-with role from Sun Kade Kolodjashnij, managing just 42 fantasy points. However he kicked an important goal, and by attracting the Gold Coast tag, freed up several teammates. Ben Newton, who crossed from Port Adelaide, worked his way into the game to finish with 16 disposals and 96 fantasy points, with his work around the contests the real highlight. Former Blue Jeff Garlett was lively up forward and Melbourne's second best fantasy player with 105 points – well above expectations.

The Demons' draftees also flourished for the first time in club colours. The third overall pick in the 2014 draft Angus Brayshaw was a wrecking ball. He finished with a game-high nine tackles on his way to 69 fantasy points. Brayshaw looks to be a draftee with the right body and aggression to prosper as an inside midfielder.

Ainslie product Aaron vandenBerg, Melbourne's first pick in the rookie draft, was serviceable. He was elevated midweek before getting the nod for his first game. He played exclusively as a half-forward and negated All-Australian Nick Malceski from influencing the game. He, too, managed 69 fantasy points, but a higher return is expected in the coming weeks.

The real star of the show was fellow debutant Jesse Hogan. The crowd erupted when the first gamer kicked the sealer in the final quarter. Hogan was lively up forward, finishing with two goals, and nine marks – four of which were contested. It had been a long wait for the footballing community after Hogan was taken in the GWS mini-draft behind Sun Jack Martin.

Back problems last year restricted him from playing a game, but he exploded onto the MCG in the best way possible. He's not expected to be a fantasy force in his first few seasons, but he was solid on debut and his star will continue to rise.

It's safe to say the future looks bright for the red and blue nation, starved of success in recent years. A four-quarter performance on Saturday against a flat and one-dimensional Gold Coast has shown potential and promise for the Demons. Melbourne will face GWS in Canberra on Saturday – a game they are more than capable of winning. And as they continue to win games, so too will the fantasy points flow.

Article written by Footy Prophet - football analysis with a fantasy focus. Footy Prophet is fantasy football.