Six debutants will take the field for Melbourne this Sunday when they kick off their 2025 season against the GWS Giants.
Jack Henderson, Harvey Langford, Matthew Jefferson, Aidan Johnson and Xavier Lindsay will all make their AFL debuts, with former Brisbane midfielder Harry Sharp making his club debut.
In contrast, Richmond, who made eight draft selections in 2024, only made three debutants in their win against Carlton.
At 195cm, young key forward Jefferson will hope to contribute to a new look Melbourne forward line without the recently retired Ben Brown.ย
Since being drafted with Pick 15 in 2022, Jefferson has become a mainstay in the VFL for the Casey Demons. Showing moments of brilliance up forward, Jefferson had a strong 2024 season where he finished as the club's leading goalkicker before taking home the Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy as the club's best VFL player.
Recent 2024 draftees Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay will also get their first shot at the AFL level.ย
Standing at 191cm, Langford is an exciting midfield prospect for the Demons, with his strength and physicality impressing across both his junior career with the Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country.
Taken at Pick 11, Lindsay has the ability to add a touch of class to an already-established Melbourne midfield. His penetrating left foot has been a feature of his junior career, with his ability to be both an inside presence and a run-and-gun on the outside drawing comparisons to Essendon skipper Zach Merrett.
Both Henderson and Johnson have arrived from VFL champions Werribee, with Henderson arriving just three weeks ago.
At 25 years old, Henderson has developed a reputation for his high work rate and competitiveness throughout his season with Werribee. He was instrumental in their grand final win against Southport last year, kicking two goals from 23 disposals.
Johnson's path to the AFL was slightly more conventional, taken by Melbourne as a mature-age recruit in November. Standing at 193cm, he was an athletic brute for Werribee up forward, at one stage kicking 11 goals through a five-game stretch mid-season.
Finally, Sharp arrives from the Brisbane Lions after requesting a trade last summer. A hard-running midfielder, Sharp will be hopeful he can add a touch of pace in the middle of the park for Melbourne.
