Melbourne is positioned to strengthen its AFL list ahead of Tasmania’s league entry in 2028, holding two top-10 selections in this year’s draft. The Demons are expected to target key forwards Zane Duursma and Calsher Dear as they seek to bolster their squad depth.
The club’s 2026 campaign ended prematurely after a 15-win season was derailed by inconsistent performance and the absence of key position players, including Brody Mihocek, Jacob van Rooyen, Matthew Jefferson, and Jake Lever. Despite these setbacks, Melbourne holds a strong draft hand, possessing six selections within the top 15. This advantage partly stems from a trade with the Gold Coast Suns last year, which secured the Suns’ No. 6 draft pick. Melbourne’s own opening pick currently stands at No. 10 but may be adjusted slightly due to compensation selections related to Gold Coast’s Ben King and Carlton’s pursuit of Cody Walker.
This year’s draft is considered particularly balanced, featuring a range of talent across key positions, midfield roles, and small forwards. The Demons, with two top-12 picks, appear well-placed to add significant talent in preparation for an increasingly competitive recruiting environment. The expansion of Tasmania’s AFL team is expected to dominate future drafts, acquiring several of the highest-rated young players through prelistings and multiple early draft picks, which will limit available talent in years to come.
Several young players already on Melbourne’s list have shown promise. Early selections such as Xavier Lindsay, Xavier Taylor, Caleb Windsor, Koltyn Tholstrup, Harvey Langford, and Latrelle Pickett contributed during the season and in the wildcard final against Carlton. Initially, the club had considered using early picks to secure Bailey Humphrey if he returned, but coach Steven King indicated these selections would more likely be used in the national draft instead.
With no current second-round pick, Melbourne may need to utilise future draft assets to complete trades, particularly if they aim to acquire either Duursma, who is projected to go near the top, or Calsher Dear, a Hawthorn father-son selection. Dear’s standing at Hawthorn has been affected by Gold Coast’s incoming King, and both players are managed by the same agency, CDG Sport, which has reportedly been strategising on potential landing spots in light of King’s free agency status.
Meanwhile, Carlton faces challenges in securing father-son selection Cody Walker as they continue their finals campaign, adding another layer of complexity to the off-season player movement.
As the draft approaches, Melbourne’s combination of valuable picks and roster needs positions the club to make significant moves amid a shifting competitive landscape shaped by the entry of a new Tasmanian team and the evolving goals of rival clubs.