One of the bigger stories out of the last few rounds in the AFL has to be Melbourne.
Starting 0-5, they seemed to be destined for a bottom-four finish in season 2025. But while the Dees have won five of their last six games, are they really a chance to play finals?
The spark and barometer for Melbourne this season has been Kysaiah Pickett, without a doubt. Pickett was simply electric in the Demons’ win over Sydney, kicking 5.4 with 13 score involvements and 24 disposals.
For a small forward the impact Kozzy generates is essential for the Dees to hit the scoreboard- he is the crown of a forward line that has been widely criticised for years now.
He was badly missed by the Dees in the first three rounds of the season due to suspension.
With talk of him moving to Fremantle as seasons end, the Dee’s must do everything in their power to keep the young superstar. He has the power to be one of the completions premier players, and even if Luke Jackson wishes to come home to the club that drafted him Melbourne should be wary of parting ways with Pickett.
Max Gawn, at 33 years old, has aged like fine wine. He is another centrepiece for Melbourne and the continuity he brings and has brought for years is a testament to the greatest ruckman of the modern era.
This season Gawn averages 21 touches, 6 clearances and 10 kicks- all rated in the elite category.
Credit can’t just go to the old heads and while Christian Petracca, who played his 200th game on the weekend, and Clayton Oliver continue to build and find their form after difficult on and off-field periods, we must highlight the young talent coming through in this list.
Caleb Windsor has taken the next step after a stagnant year – 24 touches against the Swans is solid. Jake Bowey may have had a quieter game but he was rated highly enough to be tagged by James Jordon. He would have to be in the top three of Melbourne’s best and fairest thus far and has seen improvement across every major statistic this season.
A special mention is warranted for Melbourne’s sub on the weekend, Harry Sharp. With limited minutes he booted two goals and showed flashes that he could be a more regular feature in the forward line.
How do the Dees look going forward? This weekend against St Kilda in Alice Springs, Melbourne will be considered favourites. A win will keep them in touch with the chasing pack for those last finals spots.
But Collingwood on the King’s Birthday stage will serve as a litmus test for where the Demons truly are.
If they can show they mean business, not all hope is lost in 2025. Sure, they aren’t flag contenders this year but similar to a Collingwood and Geelong, a model of resetting then surging forward is a strength that the Dees could master.
It’s worth keeping an eye on what could be one of the most intriguing stories for the second half of the season. Will they fall away once more or show form to prove the critics wrong?
I like what they’re building and if they can continue to mix the veteran experience of Steven May, Jake Lever, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Max Gawn with the youth coming through, there may be something for Demons fans to be optimistic about.
