AFL list analysis: Every Demon dissected, plus their contract status beyond 2022
Melbourne has signed some of its stars to massive deals, but two players are yet to learn their fate for next season. See the contract status of every Demon.
After their drought-breaking premiership win last year, the Demons fell short with their flag defence in 2022, bowing out in straight sets in the finals.
But the Demons will be striving to be back in the premiership hunt next season after a busy trade period saw them land two former club champions.
The Demons struck deals for Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy and Bulldogs pair Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache.
They have farewelled Luke Jackson, Jayden Hunt, Toby Bedford and Sam Weideman during the trade period, while Mitch Brown and Majak Daw retired and Fraser Rosman was delisted.
Melbourne has several of its big name stars locked away on long-term deals, including Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw and Christian Salem.
Here’s how the rest of the list is taking shape for 2022.
1. Steven May. Age: 30 | Games: 193 | Status: Contracted to 2023
Another strong season from the Demons’ backline general, who finished third in the club’s best-and-fairest. Retained his place at full-back in the All-Australian team and was the first defender to hold Lance Franklin goalless this season in the Demons’ qualifying final loss. But he made headlines for the wrong reasons mid-year after his part in a restaurant scuffle with teammate Jake Melksham. Has another year to run on his deal.
3. Christian Salem.Age: 27 | Games: 143 | Status: Contracted to 2026
The star half-back missed 10 games in the first half of the season after surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his knee. Returned in round 12 to play all of the Demons’ remaining games. Locked away until 2026 after signing a five-year contract extension last year.
4. James Harmes. Age: 27 | Games: 143 | Status: Contracted to 2024
Harmes was linked to Essendon during the trade period with reports he was weighing up a trade request in pursuit of more midfield time, but he has remained a Demon and still has another two years to run on his deal at the club. Harmes played 21 games this year, including both finals.
5. Christian Petracca. Age: 26 | Games: 151 | Status: Contracted to 2029
Petracca’s long-term future at the Demons is locked in after he signed a seven-year contract extension last year to tie him to the club until the end of season 2029. The midfield star again underlined his importance to the Demons this season, averaging an elite 28 disposals a game. Bravely played through a hairline fracture to his tibia in the Demons’ semi-final loss to the Brisbane Lions with a gutsy 27 disposals and one goal.
7. Jack Viney. Age: 28 | Games: 172 | Status: Contracted to 2025
The heart-and-soul Demon remains contracted for another three seasons after turning his back on free agency two years ago. The tough midfielder played 22 games in 2022 – his best season return to date – and remains an integral part of the Melbourne midfield machine, averaging almost 26 disposals and an elite 5.7 tackles a game this year.
8. Jake Lever. Age: 26 | Games: 136 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The intercept marking king didn’t match the form he showed in Melbourne’s premiership year. Fifth in last year’s best-and-fairest, Lever didn’t feature inside the top 10 this year. He signed a three-year contract extension early last year to tie him to the club until the end of 2024.
9. Charlie Spargo. Age: 22 | Games: 83 | Status: Contracted to 2025
Signed a three-year contract extension in May, tying him to the club until 2025. The forward played every game for the Demons in 2022, kicking 10 goals – down on his 18 from the Dees’ premiership season.
10. Angus Brayshaw. Age: 26 | Games: 143 | Status: Contracted to 2028
After speculation about a potential move west, Brayshaw turned his back on free agency to sign a whopping six-year contract extension with the Demons in July. The new deal ties the star midfielder to the club until 2028. Brayshaw played every game in 2022, averaging an elite 25.5 disposals a match.
11. Max Gawn. Age: 30 | Games: 181 | Status: Contracted to 2025
The Melbourne skipper won All-Australian selection for the sixth time this year after a season when he averaged 19 disposals, 27 hitouts and nine hitouts to advantage. Spent more time closer to goal this season and is likely to do more of the same next year with the arrival of Brodie Grundy.
13. Clayton Oliver. Age: 25 | Games: 147 | Status: Contracted to 2030
The brilliant midfielder signed a mammoth new seven-year deal in June, to tie him to the Dees until 2030. Oliver remains the heartbeat of the Melbourne midfield and this year became just the third Demon to be crowned a four-time club best-and-fairest winner. Oliver also claimed the AFL Coaches’ Association award for the second consecutive year, sharing the 2022 honour with Touk Miller, and was named in the All-Australian team.
14. Michael Hibberd. Age: 32 | Games: 185 | Status: Out of contract
The veteran defender is one of two remaining Demons out of contract at the end of this year, but is expected to sign an extension for next season. Hibberd played 12 senior matches in 2022, missing the first half of the season with a calf issue.
15. Ed Langdon. Age: 26 | Games: 132 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The former Docker has become a critical piece of the Melbourne midfield with his hard-running on a wing since arriving at the club three years ago. Langdon averaged more than 21 disposals a game, but had five matches over 25 disposals in the first eight rounds and only one after that. Attracted some unwanted attention when he labelled Collingwood a “one-trick pony” ahead of their round 21 clash at the MCG, which the Magpies went on to win.
16. Bailey Laurie. Age: 20 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The Demons’ first-round selection in the 2020 national draft, the midfielder-forward is still yet to make his senior debut. Signed a two-year contract extension mid-year to tie him to the club until at least the end of 2024.
17. Jake Bowey. Age: 20 | Games: 24 | Status: Contracted to 2024
After winning a premiership in his seventh game last year, Bowey was named Melbourne’s best young player in his second season in the AFL. Bowey played 17 games for the Demons in 2022, earning a Rising Star nomination for his career-best 34-disposal performance in round 2 against Gold Coast. Signed a two-year contract extension at the end of last year.
18. Jake Melksham. Age: 31 | Games: 208 | Status: Out of contract
The veteran forward was restricted to 11 senior games in 2022, but played the Demons’ last eight games of the season, including two finals. Also kicked four goals in Casey’s VFL flag win. Found himself in the headlines mid-year when he had to have surgery on his hand after his off-field altercation with Steven May. Out of contract but expected to sign an extension for next season.
20. Adam Tomlinson. Age: 29 | Games: 168 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The key defender was assessing his options during the trade period, frustrated with his lack of senior football. Following his return from an ACL injury, Tomlinson played just eight senior games in 2022 as he struggled to get a game behind May, Lever and Harrison Petty. Next season could be make-or-break for him at the Demons.
21. Jacob van Rooyen. Age: 19 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The Demons’ first-round selection at No.19 in last year’s national draft, van Rooyen is yet to make his senior debut but had an impressive first year in the VFL, kicking 36 goals. The Demons’ forward future, van Rooyen is expected to step up to the AFL grade next year.
22. Blake Howes. Age: 19 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The Demons’ second-round selection at No. 39 overall in last year’s national draft, Howes is yet to play a senior game with the Demons. The teenage forward was a member of Casey Demons’ VFL flag win.
23. James Jordan. Age: 21 | Games: 47 | Status: Contracted to 2023
Jordan famously started as the medical sub in the Demons’ premiership win last year but didn’t get any game time. The young midfielder backed up his debut season, which came in his third year at the club, with 22 games in 2022, but will be looking to take another step forward with his game next season.
24. Trent Rivers. Age: 21 | Games: 52 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The defender played 18 games in 2022, but missed a chunk mid-season when he was dropped from the team. Forced his way back in round 18 and then played the remainder of the season. Has a year to run on his current deal.
25. Tom McDonald. Age: 30 | Games: 202 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The key forward didn’t play a senior game following round 10 after surgery for a Lisfranc injury. McDonald’s gallant bid to return for the Demons’ finals campaign with a metal plate still in his foot ultimately fell short. A fit McDonald, with his big tank and strong marking, will make a welcome return to the Demons’ forward line next year.
27. Luke Dunstan. Age: 27 | Games: 121 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The former Saint played just five senior games in his first season with the Demons, but was named Melbourne’s best VFL player for 2022 and was also second in the Casey Demons’ best-and-fairest award. The midfielder had 31 disposals in Casey’s premiership win.
30. Alex Neal-Bullen. Age: 26 | Games: 128 | Status: Contracted to 2023
One of the Demons’ most improved players in their premiership season, Neal-Bullen didn’t have the same level of impact in 2022, kicking nine goals compared to his 15 last year. Contracted until the end of 2023 after signing a two-year extension in May last year.
31. Bayley Fritsch. Age: 25 | Games: 109 | Status: Contracted to 2026
The star forward topped the Demons’ goalkicking for the third consecutive year with his 55 majors in 2022. Played every game in 2022, scoring in each match. Signed a new long-term deal at the end of last year to keep him at the Demons until at least 2026.
32. Tom Sparrow. Age: 22 | Games: 51 | Status: Contracted to 2024
Won the coaches’ award after his best season yet at AFL level. In his fourth year at the Demons, Sparrow played a career-high 23 games, averaging 16 disposals and 3.4 tackles with his stints in the midfield. Signed a two-year contract extension in March to tie him to the club until 2024.
34. Deakyn Smith. Age: 20 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The rookie-listed defender is yet to make his senior debut, but made regular appearances for the Casey Demons. Signed a new contract in August to retain a spot on the rookie list for next season.
35. Harrison Petty. Age: 22 | Games: 48 | Status: Contracted to 2025
The key defender didn’t play until round 5 after a pre-season procedure on his calf, but was then a regular in Simon Goodwin’s defence. Was in the spotlight late in the season after an on-field sledge from Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko left him in tears. Locked away until 2025 after signing a contract extension at the end of last year.
36. Kysaiah Pickett. Age: 21 | Games: 62 | Status: Contracted to 2023
After his 40 goals last season, the livewire forward topped that haul this year with 41 majors from his 23 games, including a six-goal bag against Port Adelaide in round 18. A forward spark and matchwinner for the Demons on his day, Pickett is contracted for another year.
37. Kade Chandler. Age: 22 | Games: 10 | Status: Contracted to 2023
Chandler played four senior games in 2022 and was a member of the Casey Demons’ VFL premiership team, picking up 23 disposals in the grand final. Demons list manager Tim Lamb said Chandler would be promoted from the rookie list to replace Toby Bedford, who has joined the GWS Giants.
40. Taj Woewodin. Age: 19 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The son of 2000 Brownlow medallist and former Demon Shane Woewodin arrived at the Demons as a father-son selection in last year’s draft. Is yet to play a senior game, but was a member of the Casey Demons’ premiership winning team this year.
41. Judd McVee. Age: 19 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2023
The rookie-listed defender is yet to play a senior game, but was a regular in the Casey Demons line-up and played in the VFL premiership win. Signed a new contract in August to retain a spot on the rookie list for next season.
42. Daniel Turner. Age: 20 | Games: 1 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The key defender signed a two-year contract extension in July. He will remain on the rookie list for next season before he is upgraded to the senior list for 2024. The Demons’ second selection in the 2021 mid-season rookie draft, Turner made his debut in the Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood but was subbed out of the match with concussion and a fracture to the face.
44. Joel Smith. Age: 26 | Games: 28 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The athletic but injury-prone defender signed a two-year contract extension in August to tie him to the Demons until the end of 2024. Smith managed just seven senior games in 2022 after he was forced to undergo surgery to repair a fractured bone on the inside of his ankle, which he hurt in round 7. Was the unused medical sub for the Demons’ two finals. Will be hoping for a better run with injury next year, but the Demons like his flexibility to play at both ends of the ground.
45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield. Age: 18 | Games: 0 | Status: Contracted to 2023
A product of the Next Generation Academy system, Moniz-Wakefield is yet to play an AFL game but was a member of the Casey Demons’ VFL premiership win. Signed a new contract in August to retain a spot on the rookie list for next season.
50. Ben Brown. Age: 29 | Games: 162 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The key forward kicked 30 goals in his second season with the Demons, in which he played 19 games. Brown battled knee soreness at times throughout the year, wear and tear issues the club said he would likely have to manage for the rest of his career. Has another two years to run on his initial four-year deal with the Demons.
RECRUITS
Brodie Grundy. Age: 28 | Games: 177 | Status: Contracted to 2027
The dual All-Australian ruckman headlines the arrivals for the Demons from this year’s trade period after 10 seasons – and five years left on his deal – at Collingwood. Grundy will join forces with Demons skipper Max Gawn to form a ruck dream team, which will allow Gawn to spend more time forward. Grundy was sidelined after round 6 this year following a PCL injury before suffering a foot stress fracture in August as he pushed for a return.
Lachie Hunter. Age: 27 | Games: 173 | Status: Contracted to 2024
The premiership Bulldog found a new home at Melbourne on the last day of the trade period after expressing a desire for a fresh start. The midfielder’s move came despite having two years to run on his contract at the Whitten Oval. A 2018 best-and-fairest winner at the Bulldogs, Hunter took two months of personal leave in the middle of the season this year and played just five senior games after round 5. Will be hoping to lock down a wing position opposite Ed Langdon.
Josh Schache. Age: 25 | Games: 72 | Status: Contracted to 2023
Schache joins the Demons after five seasons and 45 games with the Bulldogs. Landing at his third AFL club, Schache played just 18 games in the past three seasons at the Whitten Oval, including seven this year. He will provide forward cover and more key-position depth for the Demons following the departure of Sam Weideman.
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