Melbourne season 2025 preview: Callum Dick breaks down where the Demons sit

The Demons still think they’re in the premiership window, but they finished outside the top eight in 2024. CALLUM DICK names their best side, who’s playing for a contract and more.

Where do the Demons sit?

The Demons still think they’re in the premiership window, but they finished outside the top eight in 2024.

With four first-round draft picks in the last two seasons, will they continue to push for a flag tilt or do they regroup?

Callum Dick analyses where the Demons are at, where they’re headed and everything in between.

The Demons will be pleased with the development of Judd McVee. Picture: Getty Images

SURPRISE PACKET OF 2024

Judd McVee’s growth in his third season was a rare bright spot on an otherwise horror season for Melbourne. He once again played in every game and improved in just about every possible metric from what was already a breakout 2023 campaign. He’s a plug-and-play medium defender capable of doing a job on the opposition’s best small forward while also finding his own footy, which is invaluable to any side.

INS AND OUTS

IN: Tom Campbell (free agent), Aidan Johnson (No.68 draft pick), Harvey Langford (No.6 draft pick), Xavier Lindsay (No.11 draft pick), Ricky Mentha jnr (Category B rookie), Harry Sharp (trade, Brisbane)

OUT: Angus Brayshaw (retired), Ben Brown (retired), Kyah Farris-White (delisted), Lachie Hunter (retired), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade, Adelaide), Josh Schache (delisted), Joel Smith (delisted), Adam Tomlinson (delisted)

PREDICTED 2025 BEST TEAM

Petracca in the mix will make the midfield hum once again, assuming he can get back to his best after a long lay-off. As above, the time is now for Jefferson to prove the Demons’ patience correct but is he a best 23 starter?. No. 6 pick Harvey Langford comes highly touted and with his 191cm frame could add a different dimension through the middle. New recruit Aidan Johnson could find a role forward with a touted move back for Harrison Petty.

How's the work rate from Petracca 👏#AFLHawksDeespic.twitter.com/G5OatGjj89

— AFL (@AFL) March 23, 2024

Jack Billings didn’t hit his straps for the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein

WHO’S PLAYING FOR A CONTRACT?

Jack Billings looked a handy pick-up when Melbourne traded away a future third-rounder for his services last year, but the ex-Saint didn’t exactly set the world on fire in his debut Demons campaign. Played the final five rounds of the season but with Petracca due back and two first-round draftees likely to jostle for midfield minutes, Billings will have to up his level if he is to convince Melbourne’s brass he is worth another contract.

LAST YEAR IN CONTRACT

Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Blake Howes, Charlie Spargo, Harry Sharp, Jack Billings, Jake Melksham, Judd McVee, Kynan Brown, Luker Kentfield, Marty Hore, Oliver Sestan, Steven May, Taj Woewodin, Tom Campbell, Tom Fullarton, Tom McDonald, Will Verrall

An opportunity could arise for Matthew Jefferson next year. Picture; Getty Images

POSITION THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED AND WHO CAN FILL IT?

At risk of sounding like a broken record, Melbourne needs to find something forward of centre because the current blueprint simply isn’t cutting the mustard. If the Demons want to rebound from a down year and continue challenging for premierships, the scoring woes must improve. Last season they scored the fifth-fewest points in the competition and only three players kicked more than 20 goals. It has to be time to unleash Jefferson, who has been groomed in the VFL for the past two years. Melbourne’s patience with the 195cm tall has been commendable, but at some point you have to throw your key forward into the deep end to find out if he can actually swim.

BURNING QUESTION

Can the Petracca-Oliver midfield combo wreak havoc once again? There is no doubt the Demons’ struggles last season were compounded by the absence of Petracca and up-and-down form of Oliver. At one time the unquestioned best midfield duo in the AFL, both players have question marks hanging over their heads entering 2025. Petracca is a perfectionist in his training and performance, but until we see him in the cut and thrust of AFL footy we won’t know what the lingering effects – if any – of his horror injury truly are. Melbourne needs both men back at close to their brilliant best if it is to challenge for top four again in 2025.

Originally published as Melbourne season 2025 preview: Callum Dick breaks down where the Demons sit