Melbourne's old guard shone but it was the new faces of Brodie Grundy and Jacob van Rooyen that gave coach Simon Goodwin fresh cause for optimism in a 50-point thumping of Sydney.
Questions arose over the Demons' ability to set up a premiership tilt when first-choice ruckman Max Gawn went down with a knee injury that will sideline him for more than a month.
But they were answered emphatically on Sunday by off-season recruit Grundy, who exerted his influence with 21 disposals, 25 hit-outs and four clearances in a 21.8 (134) to 12.12 (84) victory at the MCG.
Grundy's telling contribution against Swans ruckman Peter Ladhams came in his third game with the Demons after injury restricted him to just six appearances for Collingwood last season.
"He was sensational (the way he) took that sole responsibility on his shoulders," Goodwin said.
"He's a different player to Max. He wins contested ball, he links up with possession and he gave us a great aerial contest when we needed it.
"He's got his own version of ruck craft and he's very good at it. We saw today that he's got a lot to give to this footy club."
Van Rooyen was a first-round draft pick immediately after the 2021 premiership but had to bide his time in the reserves last season.
The 19-year-old made the most of his opportunity in a remodelled forward line, matching Bailey Fristch and Kade Chandler with three goals.
Van Rooyen hit up Alex Neal-Bullen for the opening goal and booted the second himself from a free kick as the Demons burst 28 points clear by quarter-time.
Sydney gradually clawed their way back into the contest and got within six points during the third term before Melbourne steadied.
Key forward Ben Brown was substituted out with a back injury but van Rooyen helped shut the gate with two majors in the final term and provided the highlight with a huge mark on Ladhams' back.
"It's a credit to our VFL program and their ability to develop him to a stage where he's ready to take the game on," Goodwin said.
"He was prepared to do the aerial stuff, follow up at ground level and physically be ready for the game.
"I was rapt. He's exciting for our footy club, as is Kade Chandler."
Christian Petracca (32 disposals, six clearances) and Clayton Oliver (25, five and two goals) starred as the latter celebrated his 150-game milestone.
They helped give the Demons a 34-16 advantage in contested ball with the game on the line in the final term.
Steven May kept Lance Franklin relatively quiet, with the Sydney superstar kicking two goals on return from a one-match suspension.
Tom Papley kicked three goals for the Swans, while Callum Mills (25 disposals) and Jake Lloyd (21) fought hard in defeat.
But it was another disappointing day for Sydney at the MCG on their first trip back to the venue since last year's grand final embarrassment at the hands of Geelong.
As well as being thrashed in contested ball, the Swans were out-tackled 14-5 in the last quarter.
"Sometimes you can look at different things but if you're not winning the ball and you're not tackling when they're winning it, it's not a good sign," Sydney coach John Longmire said.
