The trade trend that has hampered Demons’ list build

Melbourne have found little success from their recruitment of experienced talent since securing premiership defensive pair Jake Lever and Steven May under a decade ago, with only one other recruit in that time managing more than 45 matches in the red and blue.

The moves for Lever (via Adelaide in 2017) and May (via Gold Coast in 2018) have been significant under coach Simon Goodwin, with the pair instrumental in helping lead the club to its drought-breaking grand final win in 2021.

The duo have combined for three All-Australian selections during their time with the Demons, with both Lever and May named in the representative side the same year as their premiership run.

But outside of the club's high-cost plays for both players - with Melbourne forking up a trio of first-round picks across both deals - the Demons haven't found close to the same success in many other 14 plays for mature recruits since the 2017 off-season.

Premiership wingman Ed Langdon is the obvious exception, having been an integral part of Goodwin's midfield mix as a crafty and aerobically gifted outside runner.

After Langdon, who has tallied 117 games for Melbourne since crossing from Fremantle at the end of 2019, the next highest for games among the club's experienced recruits is the only other flag Demon in Ben Brown.

Brown was pivotal in Melbourne's famous September series from four years ago, but outside of that purple patch, he couldn't quite have a lasting impact, failing to boot over 30 goals in any of his four seasons with the Demons.

Injuries heavily plagued the latter stages of Brown's career, with the former North Melbourne sharpshooter managing 45 games for the Demons before calling time on his career at the cessation of last season.

Swingman Adam Tomlinson managed just as many games under Goodwin in his five years with the club after his free agency move from GWS, while Dog-turned-Demon Lachie Hunter is the only other recent mature recruit to play more than a season's worth of games.

After Hunter's 26 appearances for Melbourne, the next highest comes in the form of Brodie Grundy's single-season tally of 17, which is matched by currently listed midfielder Jack Billings.

The Grundy gamble didn't pay off for the Demons, who shipped the two-time All-Australian off to Sydney after 12 months on their list, with the star ruckman unable to have the influence the Demons had desired.

Four trade recruits since 2017 played five or fewer games before departing, while the likes of Shane McAdam and Tom Fullarton join Billings in struggling to find their spot in the senior side, whether that be through form or injury.

The Demons did little in attempting to improve their list immediately after their 2021 premiership win, with ex-Saint and free agent Luke Dunstan their sole addition of the off-season, while subsequent flag winners in Geelong (Oliver Henry, Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn) and Collingwood (Lachie Schultz) were more aggressive in looking to improve on a successful season.

Experienced Demons additions since 2017

*Currently Listed with the Demons

The upside for Melbourne across this period is that they have remained relevant at the draft, having added multiple first-round prospects to their books in each of the past two national intakes and selecting a total of 10 in the last six drafts.

The selections of Matthew Jefferson (Pick 13, 2022) and Caleb Windsor (Pick 7, 2023) came as a result of Luke Jackson's departure to Fremantle, with the Western Australian ruckman initially costing the Demons Pick 3 in 2019.

Following the addition of Jackson, which came after the off-season purchases of Lever and May in the preceding years, Melbourne added Kysaiah Pickett, Jake Bowey, Bailey Laurie, Jacob van Rooyen, Jefferson, Windsor, Koltyn Tholstrup, Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay as opening round picks.

The Demons will hope Pickett doesn't hold the same fate as Jackson in seeking a move west, while a change in form from van Rooyen is needed after the young spearhead was dropped to the VFL over the weekend.

Bowey has been a staple when fit for Goodwin since being drafted, while fellow 2020 draftee Laurie has struggled to cement his place - playing just 11 games, eight of which have come either as the sub or being subbed out.

Their drafting recruitment can't be questioned harshly, having found some diamonds in the rough in the form of Judd McVee (2021 Rookie Draft) and Trent Rivers (Pick 32, 2019) to add to their suite of high-profile draftees.

Their contrasting levels of success in their avenues of recruitment come as interest amid a fascinating period in Goodwin's tenure, with the Demons sitting second last on the ladder after six rounds.

The idea of 'bottoming out' and placing a focus on youth mightn't harm the Demons like it might with other clubs, however they don't possess their own 2025 first-round pick after trading it to Essendon and securing Lindsay last year.

The prices placed on targeted stars in Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and the aforementioned Pickett would assist in any plans of significantly bolstering their draft hand, but the trio - alongside leadership pair Max Gawn and Jack Viney - can simultaneously be the key pieces in lifting Melbourne back into finals contention, as seen in the recent win over Fremantle.

The route of looking to strengthen their list with mature, experienced pieces to support this senior contingent hasn't been successful, perhaps placing the Demons to rely on their emerging ranks and development instead of ready-now reinforcements.