Melbourne's movements so far this off-season have offered some perspective on where the Demons may be heading in the coming years.
The 2025 draft is set to see the club use multiple first-round picks for the third successive year, while they've also attained Gold Coast's 2026 first-round pick and could, therefore, extend that streak to four years on the trot.
As far as planning for this year, the Demons have two early selections, and will likely make a third pick before weighing up when and where their linked prospects come into the mix.
Here's how the Demons' draft plans might unfold come this month's count...
Draft Hand
Picks: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71 (3283 Points)
The departure of Christian Petracca dramatically shifted the Demons' draft stance, with Melbourne having entered the off-season without a first-round pick, and exited the trade period with a pair of top 10 selections.
They will have to play a bit of a waiting game, however, with many of their targets also in the sights of Richmond and Essendon, who will combine to make the four preceding selections.
Pick 37 will move back and forth but might advance in the queue by the time the Demons use their third pick, while their later selections could be used on club-tied options, with Kalani White and Toby Sinnema being two names in consideration.
List Needs
Midfield Punch: Melbourne's engine room ensemble underwent significant change over the trade period, with Clayton Oliver joining the aforementioned Christian Petracca out the door. The Demons also welcomed Jack Steele from St Kilda, with the departed Saints skipper joining Jack Viney as the senior heads in the middle. The pair might leave King's midfield unit a little one-paced, placing a greater reliance on the likes of Kysaiah Pickett and Harvey Langford to be the outside movers. A draftee who can eventually aid that group and offer some spark through the middle of the field, while also being able to play elsewhere, would be a nice get.
Defensive Clamp: The loss of Judd McVee can't be understated. The Demon-turned-Docker was a reliable lockdown defender who could also find an outlet from the backline with ball in hand. McVee allowed Jake Bowey to be freed up in 2025, seeing the latter enjoy a career-best season in the red and blue. A defender who can be accountable for his direct opponent, as well as being a springboard for attacking avenues on transition, is another potential list fit.
Ruck Depth: The Demons have begun to consider life after Max Gawn, who turns 34 before the new year. The club signed Max Heath from St Kilda; however, he is still an unknown quantity with just four career games under his belt. With no other ruckman on Melbourne's list aside from 34-year-old Tom Campbell, finding a promising young ruck to rival Heath is another option for the Demons to consider at this year's draft.
Potential Targets
Sam Cumming: The North Adelaide livewire is a high-leaping midfield-forward hybrid in the Isaac Heeney or Mattaes Phillipou mould. Cumming showed this year that he could be a ready-made prospect, playing a starring role for the Roosters' SANFL side after making his debut at the level. Cumming will mostly sit forward to start his AFL career, but could be an option to alleviate the likes of Pickett and Langford via rotations, while also bringing some flair and speed to the middle.
| 9 RANK |  | Sam Cumming North Adelaide Midfielder/Forward HEIGHT: 186cm | ▶+ |
Xavier Taylor: The Eastern Ranges premiership hero is seen by many as the best pure defender in his draft class. Compared closely to Richmond champion Nick Vlastuin, Taylor is as damaging on the front foot with the ball as he is behind it. His read of the play and intercepting have seen him move into top 10 calculations, and he may even be out of reach for the Demons when they're first on the clock.
| 8 RANK |  | Xavier Taylor Eastern Ranges Defender HEIGHT: 191cm | ▶+ |
Kalani White: A name that many Melbourne fans would already be familiar with. Kalani is the son of former Melbourne ruckman Jeff White, and has been nominated as a father-son selection. The Queensland-based teenager is capable of playing across all three lines of the field, and could start his career at either end before potentially moving into a ruck post. A bid for White could come late into the draft, or he could join the Demons as a rookie.
