Alice Springs local Ricky Mentha Jnr chases dream debut after getting drafted by Demons

Strong performances in the VFL have an Alice local eyeing a big league debut, which could be at a special ground – if everything aligns.

Alice Springs local Ricky Mentha Jnr with the Nyirripi Demons at Traeger Park, Sunday June 1, 2025. Picture: Melbourne Demons

An AFL young gun from Alice Springs is chasing his big league debut, which could be at a special ground – if the stars align.

Ricky Mentha Jnr returned home to Alice Springs over the weekend, supporting the team which drafted him from the sidelines as they took on St Kilda at Traeger Park on Sunday.

Mentha was drafted by the Melbourne Demons last year through the Next Generation Academy, and has been playing in their VFL side, with his last game on Saturday.

Currently, the Demon’s play one home game in the Red Centre capital once a year, and Mentha said it would be “awesome” if he had a Traeger Park debut in front of his home crowd.

A young Ricky Mentha supporting the Dees at Traeger Park in 2017. Photo: Emma Murray

But with the next Traeger Park game not until next year, Mentha’s hopeful the debut could come earlier, off the back of some strong form in the Demon’s VFL side.

Back in Alice on Sunday, Mentha said he’d been busy catching up with family and friends, and celebrating his two majors scored in his latest VFL game.

While the Demons fell short against the Saints on Sunday, it was different story in the VFL, with Mentha’s two goals helping in the 94-point thrashing against the Swans VFL side on Saturday.

“I reckon if I keep that up, I’ll probably get a game hopefully this year, or if not then hopefully next year,” he said.

But in the meantime, he wants to work on his accuracy and strength, so he can one day make his debut in the Demons AFL side.

Mentha at the Dees pre-season training last December. Picture: Alex Ratcliffe/Melbourne FC

Mentha said he was originally playing basketball with an aim to go pro, and was only playing footy on the side to stay fit.

But some setbacks in his basketball dreams led to a re-evaluation, leading him down a path of footy, and to getting drafted.

Reflecting back, and offering a bit of advice to anyone who’d like to follow his path, he said “anything’s possible no matter where you’re from”.

“Just got to chase your dreams, be around the right people and yeah, just make sure you look after yourself,” he said.

Originally published as Alice Springs local Ricky Mentha Jnr chases dream debut after getting drafted by Demons