Melbourne pre-season training notes: Aidan Johnson impresses, Jai Culley a chance for SSP listing

Mature-age draftee Aidan Johnson is firming for an early debut at Melbourne, while a player taken with the first pick only a few years ago is pushing for an SSP spot at the Demons.

Melbourne’s category-B rookie Ricky Mentha has given the club a strong reminder of his talent as VFL success story Aidan Johnson thrust his name forward for a round 1 berth.

The club’s match simulation session on Friday at Casey Fields saw Kysaiah Pickett playing serious midfield time and in scintillating form ahead of the Indigenous All-Stars clash against Fremantle next Saturday.

With Pickett suspended for the first three weeks of the AFL season, the Demons’ forward line will also be missing Alex Neal-Bullen, now at Adelaide, while Jake Melksham is battling a minor hamstring concern and Koltyn Tholstrup id out with a bone stress injury.

Ricky Mentha impressed in Melbourne’s latest pre-season hitout.

The club has options and while Mentha is still raw after his first pre-season, track-watchers were thrilled with his three goals and spark in the forward line.

Melbourne took the young Indigenous talent after he impressed for Gippsland after making the move down from Alice Springs to Morwell to push his AFL claims.

The Demons will need to find some more forward firepower, and while Werribee VFL player Johnson is uncapped, the 25-year-old has serious potential. Melbourne has brought him in as a bullocking pack-crashing key forward who, at 193cm, is desperate to throw his weight around.

With Harry Petty moving into defence, Johnson is a forward-line option, along with first-round pick Matthew Jefferson.

Aidan Johnson is pushing for a round 1 debut. Picture: David Crosling

Jai Culley, West Coast’s former mid-season No.1 draft pick, continues to train the house down as a Casey VFL player in an intriguing development for the club.

Melbourne does not have a spare list spot and would need to have a setback before the February 19 cut-off, but the form of the delisted Eagle has been seriously impressive.

At the very least, Culley is pushing his claims to be secured as a mid-season pick at the Demons – or another club – given his summer form.

To clear a list spot, Melbourne would need a season-ending injury rather than a long-term injury, given that the player would not be able to return to the Demons list this year.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Jai Culley of the Eagles looks on during the round 19 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the St Kilda Saints at Optus Stadium on July 24, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Demons rookie Luker Kentfield – a 194cm key forward – has battled with pneumonia and then complications with his recovery, and is a long way from returning to VFL football. But the club will give him every chance to make a full recovery.

Christian Petracca is still out with a rib injury, but is expected to return to contact training in the next fortnight.

The club’s No.6 draft selection, Harvey Langford, continues to shine in hit-outs and is a likely round 1 debutante, while Clayton Oliver played out Friday’s match simulation in strong form.