Melbourne are keen to get a closer look at 2025 father-son prospect Kalani White over summer and through next year in the wake of another promising draft haul for the Demons.
For the second year in a row, the Demons had a pair of first-round picks, selecting Victorian midfielders Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay with their two top 11 picks.
The next 12 months will see White, the son of 236-game ex-Demons ruckman Jeff, continue to develop as one of next year's leading key position prospects.
Kalani has proven to be a versatile 200cm talent, able to play in defence or attack while pinch-hitting in the ruck, showing great upside out of Queensland.
The Broadbeach native was named at centre half-back in the U16 All-Australian team in 2023 after flexing his athleticism and aerial prowess, while this year saw the Demons-tied teenager grow his game further as a bottom-age player.
White is also linked to the Gold Coast as a member of the club's Academy, with the Suns' class of 2025 proving to be another formidable one early as the likes of Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson and Beau Addinsall join White as potential first-round picks.
Melbourne will hope White will be donning the red and blue by this time next year, with the club to get a first-hand look at the swingman when he joins the Demons' pre-season program for a week as part of the AFL Academy.
"I've loved his progression. Those 200cm+ athletic types take a while to find their confidence in their bodies and he's so athletic," Melbourne recruiter Jason Taylor toldย Zero Hanger.ย
"He's played both areas of the ground and a bit of ruck. I liked his progression as a key defender and as a key forward, and the beauty of that is he can do both.
"We've got to let him grow and let him enjoy his footy. He'll spend some time with us in the coming weeks, we're really looking forward to having Kalani in and he's looking forward to it.
"I'm sure out of that window we have him that we'll see some further improvement and look forward to what he can produce going into his top age year."
White averaged 7.8 disposals and 4.0 marks per game for the Suns Academy this year and also broke through to the U18s National Championships with the Allies for their clash against South Australia in May.
He would also feature for Broadbeach's Colts side and amassed six games for a return of 10 goals, headlined by a six-goal outing against Mount Gravatt.
Gippsland's Willem Duursma - the younger brother to AFL trio Xavier, Yasmin and Zane - Calder Cannons tall Cooper Duff-Tytler and Oakleigh Chargers ruckman Louis Emmett join White among next year's leading key position players.
The Demons won't carry a first-round draft selection into next season, having traded their opening 2025 pick to Essendon. Melbourne hold one second-round, one third-round (tied to Brisbane) and one fourth-round pick for next year.
