AFL 2024: The re-emergence of Lewis Melican after Ben McKay rejection crucial in AFL minor premiership

Sydney had cash to burn and went hard at Ben McKay during the off-season. The defender said no, and chose the Bombers instead. But it’s worked out for Sydney in more ways than one.

The Sydney Swans’ season has been full of success stories. But a crucial vote of confidence in the maligned Lewis Melican after being rejected by Ben McKay could be the most defining of them all.

Isaac Heeney’s midfield move can be analysed for days, while new recruits like Brodie Grundy and James Jordon have fitted seamlessly into John Longmire’s system.

But the re-emergence of Melican has been critical to their minor premiership campaign, which has been built on new-found defensive assuredness across the year.

As part of their busy off-season, the Swans made no secret that they were looking for a key defender. Initially, there were links to West Coast’s Tom Barrass, while Fremantle’s Joel Hamling came across but has since played the majority of the VFL season as a forward.

One player, however, constantly connected to the club was out-of-contract North Melbourne defender, Ben McKay. McKay was one of the most in-demand free agents in the competition and with space to play with in their cap, understandably the Swans were interested.

Sydney were keen to make Ben McKay a Swan last year. His rejection has proven a blessing in disguise. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

However, McKay eventually confirmed he didn’t want to relocate to NSW and signed a deal worth $850,000 a year at Essendon. It has been reported he is earning $1.4 million in 2024 alone. Being knocked back by McKay has proven to be a blessing in disguise for Sydney.

While Essendon started the season strongly, their defensive frailties have been on display in the second half of the year. They have conceded just shy of 97 points per game since round 17 to completely drop out of finals contention.

McKay’s form has been at the heart of it. While he is still rated elite for intercept possessions in the competition, his ability to command one-on-one contests has fallen off a cliff.

After getting turned down, the Swans put all their chips in on Melican. One of their longest-serving players, he had only played a maximum of 17 games in a season, and 23 matches since the start of 2020.

But on a fraction of McKay’s salary, Melican has finally realised his potential in 2024. He’s confident in his body and Longmire has proven happy to play him on some of the opposition’s most dangerous key forwards. The numbers indicate he is repaying the faith, and some.

Melican has won 11 per cent more of his one-on-one contests in 2024. He is also rated 18th in the category in the AFL. In comparison, McKay is rated 40th. His dominance was evident against McKay’s Bombers last weekend, returning from injury with eight intercept possessions and two intercept marks.

Sam Draper was looking dangerous against the Swans but Melican helped nullify him in the second half. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

As he prepares to play his 21st game of the year, four more than any other season in his career, Melican is in form and playing up to the standard Longmire always knew he could produce.

“We always had great faith in him as a player,” Longmire said. “Generally, over the years, when he’s been fit and feeling good, we’ve played him because we know that he can be a really important player for us, and he’s been doing that this year.

“He’s been fortunate that he’s been able to play more footy and that’s added to his form. And so, yeah, he’s been important.

“He’s got great leadership ability as far as down in our back six. He sees the game well. He’s strong in the contest, takes his marks when he needs to, and has been very good. So, we’re pleased with how he’s going.”

On paper, the combination of Melican, Tom McCartin and Dane Rampe might not stick out as a premiership defence, but results this year show it can be. The first game Melican missed in 2024 was the Swans’ 112-point drubbing by Port Adelaide.

Melican has been happy to put his body on the line and has confidence after playing a full season for the first time. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Likewise, Rampe missed Sydney’s other big defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs at home.

Longmire knows that if he can keep all three fit and fresh going into finals, that chemistry could prove a winning formula and allow them to make other changes up the ground.

“We’ve missed some of those guys for different times over the weeks and so, you know, when you get them back together and you play them together, that’s always helps,” Longmire said.

“On the weekend we had Cal (Mills) down there, we put Ollie (Florent) to the wing. We’ve made some subtle changes to our team over the weeks, made some differences and changed a few pieces around. And hopefully, that’s been a benefit as well.”

‘We found our mojo’: Swans ready to ground the Crows

It’s official. The Swans have got their mojo back.

Two wins on the trot have provided Sydney with some important momentum heading into the finals, and they’ll be looking to make it three against an Adelaide side set to be without Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele.

Their performances haven’t been as clinical as the first half of the season, but key forward Joel Amartey knows that just getting the points on the board has been important.

“I think we found our mojo again the past few weeks,” Amartey said.

“We got some troops back which always helps with consistency of the same group we had earlier in the season. We’re stringing quarters together and minutes of footy again and we’re starting to find that form again.

“This game’s a good opportunity against another pressure side like Adelaide to get that part of our game right, get the starts right and move into the post-season well.”

The Swans know that their next three games will all be in Sydney as they look to capitalise on the minor premiership. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Amartey will play his 50th game on Saturday night, a milestone that has been a long time coming. The 24-year-old is currently in his seventh year on the Swans’ list and has pushed through plenty of injuries to get to this moment.

“AFL is a gruelling sport, it takes a toll on your body,” he said.

“When I first came in I guess I wasn’t ready for the demands body-wise physically of what the game throws at you. Coming into the sixth or seventh year, developed and a bit more mature which is nice.”

But like the majority of his teammates, he isn’t looking for an easy week against the Crows. In an ideal world, he can even replicate his nine-goal haul against them from earlier in the season.

While a few players with niggles might be managed, Amartey confirmed the team wants to go into finals with as much positive momentum as possible.

Joel Amartey will be hoping to go close to his nine-goal haul against the Crows again on Saturday. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We’ve won the last two, it’s nice to come to the end of the year with a bit of form,” he said.

“A season is 24 games, it’s a long time. You go through a bit of a rollercoaster of a year. You get some good games and some not so good games. Obviously, I’d love to kick a few more goals every week but I think I’m getting my contest right … nullifying some of the other team’s better defenders as a role.

“It’s probably no shock, AFL players love playing AFL. If boys are carrying niggling injuries, they probably won’t play. But if you want to play AFL, you play AFL every week. There’s no real resting is there?”

Originally published as AFL 2024: The re-emergence of Lewis Melican after Ben McKay rejection crucial in AFL minor premiership