Melbourne-tied 2025 AFL Draft prospects Kalani White and Toby Sinnema have linked up with the Demons this week, taking part in the club's pre-season program ahead of their own campaigns.
White has joined the Demons for a training cameo as part of the AFL Academy program, with the versatile tall one of 28 prospects for next year named in the squad.
The AFL Academy has given clubs close access to top draft names a year out from the draft, with the Demons having the likes of Zane Duursma, Cooper Simpson and their own 2024 draft addition Harvey Langford feature in their summer programs in recent years.
White, the son of club great Jeff, looms as a first-round draft chance for next year after a strong past 18 months at the junior level, with the near-200cm teenager capable of playing all three lines on the field.
The 17-year-old will have a decision to make on his future over the 12 months, with White also tied to Gold Coast as a product of the Suns Academy.
A member of the U16 All-Australian team, White averaged 7.8 disposals and 4.0 marks per game in the Talent League this year and also made his U18s Allies debut in May.
"I've loved his progression. Those 200cm+ athletic types take a while to find their confidence in their bodies and he's so athletic," Demons recruitment lead Jason Taylor told Zero Hanger of White last month.
"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."
Sinnema is a member of Melbourne's Next Generation Academy and could join White among the Demons' 2025 draft haul. The Dandenong Stingrays midfielder had a solid bottom-age season this year after breaking through for a Talent League debut in 2023 at the age of 15.
The Narre North junior averaged 13.9 disposals for the Stingrays from 17 appearances this year and also kicked five goals in seven games for Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League outfit Deavon Meadows' seniors in 2024.
Sinnema joined Melbourne's star-studded midfield group and looked to be a strong defensive presence at Gosch's Paddock on Monday with his tackling and run, while White towered over most of his teammates and showed his value as an athletic prospect.
The Demons' newest batch of draftees continued through their first pre-season, with Pick 11 selection Xavier Lindsay mostly kept to running as he continues to recover from a PCL setback.
The aforementioned Langford was among the best runners in the 2km time trial, which was again dominated by trade recruit Harry Sharp - who holds the draft combine record.
Senior players Charlie Spargo, Shane McAdam, Jake Lever, Bayley Fritsch and Jed Adams were on limited duties alongside Lindsay.