Melbourne are on track for further good news, with the Demons in advanced negotiations about a new deal with major sponsor Automotive Holdings Group (AHG).
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The Demons signed a three-year contract with the automotive group late in 2013, which is due to expire at the end of this year. However it's understood Melbourne's talks with AHG have progressed well, with a new contract likely.
The existing deal with AHG has involved their logo being splashed on both the back and front of the Demons' jumper, as well as on all training and retail apparel. The publicly listed company - originally based in Western Australia - partnered with the Demons just over 18 months after Melbourne terminated a deal with then major sponsor EnergyWatch following vile comments made by the company's chief executive on social media.
A new deal would be another boost to Melbourne's on-field and off-field rise under chief executive Peter Jackson, who helped secure the original deal with AHG months after assuming his role at the Demons in 2013, a year in which the Demons plummeted to a debt of more than $5 million, won just two games, and parted ways with senior coach Mark Neeld before signing Paul Roos to the role.
An extension of the partnership with AHG would continue a strong month for the club. The Demons began October by securing the contract extension of young spearhead Jesse Hogan until the end of 2019. Hogan had been due to come out of contract at the end of this year and had been the subject of repeated speculation about a possible move to his native WA to join West Coast or Fremantle.
Melbourne were then a key player during the recent trade period, stunningly landing the signature of Hawthorn veteran Jordan Lewis, while also acquiring Michael Hibberd from Essendon and Patrick McKenna from Greater Western Sydney.
The Demons were given only one Friday night game in the 2017 fixture released on Thursday - at home to Sydney in round 15. However the club was pleased to have avoided being handed a home game at Etihad Stadium, a venue that has consistently proved unpopular with their fans. Melbourne again have two home games in the Northern Territory, against Gold Coast in Alice Springs in round 10, and against Adelaide in Darwin in round 17.
Next season is the Demons' first under new coach Simon Goodwin, with the club striving to break a 10-year finals drought.
