MELBOURNE was relatively quiet during the Trade Period outside of one massive deal that saw the Demons obtain the second selection in the AFLW Draft. While having to give up key midfielder Lily Mithen to do so, it meant the red and blue will head into the 2024 AFLW Draft with two top 20 selections.

>> FREE: View the 2024 AFLW Draft Guide

2024 RECORD: 9th, 6-5, 87.9%
2024 PICKS: 2, 20

LIST CHANGES:
IN: Pick 2, Pick 20
OUT: Lily Mithen (Gold Coast), Rhiannon Watt (retired), Delany Madigan, Grace Hill (delisted), Pick 10, Pick 28, Pick 46

FIRST PICK:
Pick 2

Melbourne massively boosted its future by grabbing a pick that will net the Demons a generational player. While Ash Centra and Havana Harris will be off limits, the Dees will be able to grab another young star, with all signs pointing towards South Fremantle tall utility Molly O’Hehir.

O’Hehir is an ultra-athletic defender-midfielder who can play just as well on a wing and up forward. She uses the ball well by hand or foot, boasts explosive speed and outstanding competitiveness. She looks to be Melbourne’s choice in Monday night’s draft, just ahead of fellow West Australian Zippy Fish who would equally be a great choice.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 20

With just the two open list spots given Jacinta Hose and Aimee Mackin will return to the club, Melbourne will have an early second round selection to fill a need. The Dees could pair O’Hehir up with equally versatile West Australian and fellow National Academy member Claudia Wright, or look closer to home if Vic Metro’s Grace Baba was available to further add to the defensive stocks.

If the Dees were looking for a Mithen replacement, the likes of Swan Districts’ Lily Paterson or Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves would be around the mark, as would South Australian Grace Martin. However the search for a tall or key forward might be more pressing, which brings the likes of Georgie Brisbane and Claire Mahony into the conversation, though one or both might be off the board by the Dees’ selection.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– If the Dees select Molly O’Hehir, where do they see her playing next year?
– Will Melbourne go for a tall, or look for a Lily Mithen replacement?
– Could the Demons double-up with West Australians this draft?