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.
3Wade Derksen
GWS key defender Wade Derksen requested a move to Victoria after the 2024 season but was unable to have his request fulfilled.
The 24-year-old is yet to make an AFL debut but has starred at VFL level in a variety of roles, including up forward. He poses as an affordable option to bolster the Demons' key tall stocks.
Through 12 games for the Giants' reserves this season, Derksen has collected at least 20 disposals seven times and is averaging 9.5 marks. Arguably his best game came against Gold Coast in Round 13, where he won 14 marks and had 24 disposals.
He hasn't featured forward as regularly as he did in 2023 and 2024, but in those seasons he kicked multiple goals 14 times over 36 games.
While it's unclear how his play would translate to the AFL level, Derksen has certainly proven he can kick goals when given the opportunity or be a strong interceptor down back, making him an intriguing prospect for the Demons list management to consider.
