The Melbourne Demons are at a crossroads. Despite retaining almost every key player from their 2021 premiership season, the Dees have taken a dramatic tumble down the standings in 2025 - currently 5-11, on a five-game losing streak and on the cusp of the bottom four.
2025 was not meant to pan out this way, especially considering the injury excuse from 2024 hasn't been viable. Their core four of Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Kysaiah Pickett have featured in 12 games together this season and won just four of those games. That's a stark drop off compared to their win rate together between 2021 and 2024, winning 46 of 66 games in which they all played (69.6%).
So, how do Melbourne fix things and find themselves back in September contention? Surrounding their superstars with a deeper supporting cast will be crucial to revive what was once perceived to be a potential dynasty.
Here are five trade and free agency targets for Melbourne to consider this year.
1Luke Jackson
The former Demons premiership player could reportedly seek a return back to Victoria at the conclusion of this season, and would be a perfect solution to many of the Demons' key position issues.
His tandem with Gawn in the ruck has proven to be elite in the past, and his abilities in this role have developed strongly since joining Fremantle in 2023, winning 47.4% of his ruck contests this season. He's also become a more than formidable presence in the forward line, on pace to kick a career-high number of goals in 2025, also contributing a career-best 6.6 score involvements for Fremantle.
Gawn, while remaining as the league's best ruckman, is entering the twilight years of his career and Jackson would pose as his immediate superstar replacment once he calls it quits. Providing Christian Petracca and Kysaiah Pickett see out their long-term deals, Jackson's return would ensure they have a star ruck to feed off for the entirety of their careers. Jackson's ability to swing forward also helps the Demons significantly with their lack of key forward depth; a glaring hole in their playing list currently that has been regularly criticised.
While Jackson has knocked back the claims of a potential return to the Demons, anything is possible, and he would undoubtedly help turn things around at his premiership club.
