AFTER losing a couple of star midfielders to other clubs over the off-season, the Dees entered the 2025 AFL Draft with back-to-back top 10 picks and a second round selection to bring in some quality young guns. Melbourne picked up one of the most highly performed players of 2025, as well as a couple of forwards who have plenty of class and were draft bolters on the night.

>> EVERY PICK: National Draft | Rookie Draft
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DRAFT HAUL

NATIONAL DRAFT:
Pick 11. Xavier Taylor
Pick 12. Latrelle Pickett
Pick 30. Thomas Matthews

ROOKIE DRAFT:
3. Riley Onley
Kalani White (Cat A F/S)

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

Due to a number of draft bids inside the top 10, Melbourne’s Picks 7 and 8 became 11 and 12, and once both Richmond and Essendon overlooked Taylor, the Dees pounced. Best on ground in Eastern Ranges’ premiership win, Taylor had a top-age season to remember with his offensive ability ramping right up to match his defensive capabilities. Touted as a top 10 pick headed into the night, the Dees were able to secure a readymade defender for the next decade.

The feel-good story of the night came next. Not even invited to draft night, Pickett was snuck in just to be on stage to receive a Dees jumper with the South Australian State Combine invitee the first draft bolter. But even he did not realise a surprise was waiting, with cousin Kysaiah on hand to present him with his jumper. An exciting forward with plenty of X-factor, he will provide a terrific spark to the front half of the ground.

Melbourne’s third and final selection of the National Draft was another draft bolter in the form of Matthews. Restricted to just four games with Gippsland Power this season and none with Vic County, Matthews’ defensive pressure and speed inside 50 to pair with Pickett, won the club over. He has enormous talent despite only standing at 171cm.

The Dees certainly went the other end of the measuring stick for the Rookie Draft, picking up 195cm speedster Onley with the first selection after confirming they had pre-listed White – the son of Dees champion Jeff – prior to the draft. Onley will add another big body to the midfield but a point of difference with his speed, while White is a developing key position player who can play on all three lines and stands at 201cm. It was another feel good story to hear he will don the 34, the same number his father wore.

GRADE: B

Melbourne had a really solid draft, with Taylor being the locked in certain star, and then Pickett and Matthews being highly talented but with less exposure. The reward in picking both could be phenomenal, but it is more of a wait and see, while Onley and White have some elite athletic traits which can see them develop over time.