MELBOURNE’S list revamp sees it head into the draft on the back of an 11-player turnover, once again setting up the opportunity to make two first round selections. The Dees are set to make between three and four selections, including the father-son coup of a developable key position utility.

>> 100+ PROFILES: View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 14th | 7-16 | 93.3%
2025 PICKS: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1, GCS ’26 R1, GWS ’26 R3 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, GCS ’27 R3
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Kalani White (F/S)

FIRST PICK(S):
Picks 7 & 8

The fourth club to wield consecutive top 10 picks in this year’s draft, Melbourne is poised to take two first-rounders for the third year running. Usually shrewd and unafraid to select slight outsiders high on their board, the Dees could snap up a couple of bargains out of what West Coast, Richmond, and Essendon pass over.

Eastern Ranges teammates Sullivan Robey and Xavier Taylor would be at the end of their range with Melbourne’s picks and thus impossible to overlook if they made it that far. Similarly, South Australian pair Sam Cumming and Dyson Sharp are right in the Dees’ wheelhouse as they look to build out a new-look midfield.

Speedster Sam Grlj and tall rebound defender Jacob Farrow are others who have been linked to Richmond and Essendon respectively, but would be considered if they slip through to Melbourne. Both could serve as ample cover for the hole left by Judd McVee down back, and with Trent Rivers spending more time on-ball.

Otherwise, Melbourne also has a small forward slot to fill and could look at Lachy Dovaston – though that might be a slight reach. The same goes for Latrelle Pickett, the cousin of Kysaiah, and fellow SA export Cameron Nairn. While the latter pair may even be available into the 20s, Melbourne isn’t usually one to shy away from going early.

The other positional option for the Dees to look at is their key position stocks. It seems to come up every year that they need a spearhead key forward, but the coup of Brody Mihocek helps in that department. Otherwise, Aidan Schubert is right in Melbourne’s hitting zone as a goalkicker who competes hard and can chop out in the ruck.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 37, 66, 71

Depending on their decision on father-son nominee Kalani White, the Dees may only make one more live selection in the National Draft. White, the son of 1994 number one pick and 236-game Demon Jeff, came up in the Suns Academy as a tall utility with great athletic upside. He chose to pursue his ties to Melbourne and can be taken with the Dees’ final pick, or be left to place on the rookie list.

Melbourne’s second round pick – currently 37 – will be drawn in a few spots due to bid matching up the order. In an ideal world, but one which is quickly fading, the likes of Nairn and Pickett would still be available. If not Pickett, West Australians Leon Kickett and West Coast Next Generation Academy member Tylah Williams could be worth a look as small forward targets.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will it be a midfield-focussed draft haul for Melbourne?
– Will Melbourne back its youth and look to cover other positions instead?
– Will Melbourne opt to rookie list father-son nominee Kalani White?