Melbourne will go into 2026 with a refreshed list and a new approach under the tutelage of newly appointed senior coach Steven King.
The loss of Oliver and Petracca, who have been linked to a move for several years, allows the club to go into 2026 with an eye on what's next, as King plans to prioritise the development of youth over stars of years past.
With all of that in mind, let's take a look at what Melbourne's best 23 might look like...
Forwards
Melbourne's forward line has come under scrutiny often since their 2021 premiership, often viewed as the key component of their structure that has let them down in the years since.
However, the forward line may be on the mend with the recruitment of Brody Mihocek, and the expected development from young gun Harvey Langford, who was one of the few bright spots for this team last season.
Kade Chandler will also provide pace and pressure in Melbourne's front half on a weekly basis, attacking the footy with tenacity, while Bayley Fritsch simply knows how to find the goals and will be a lock to feature each week.
Koltyn Tholstrup and Matthew Jefferson will push for selection from the outer, and will likely receive opportunities if Jacob van Rooyen fails to fire again, but the hope is the spearhead option can return to his 2024 best rather than the measly 16-goal effort he produced last year.
