After a season of off-field turmoil and on-field slumps, the Demons will be chasing a return to finals footy in 2025.
But do they have the list to take them back there?
There are superstars across all three lines of the field;ย Jake Leverย andย Steven Mayย headline the defence,ย Christian Petraccaย andย Clayton Oliverย have the potential to get back to their best, and Bayley Fritsch andย Kysaiah Pickett have been the Demons' best forward duo since their premiership-winning season.
However, the loss of Alex Neal-Bullen leaves a concerning void, but the influx of Harry Sharp and Tom Campbell could be of benefit.
We've analysed the depth of all three lines across the field to determine who fits into Melbourne's best 23 ahead of a crucial 2025 season.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, except for those expected to miss most or all of the season through injury or suspension.
3. Forwards
Fritsch and Pickett are shoo-ins to the Demons' best 23 after combining for over 75 goals in 2024.
Youngster Jacob Van Rooyen is primed for a breakout season after two consistent years at the top flight and should make the key forward role his own. Whether Petty joins him as the other key forward remains to be seen, but it's more than likely the 25-year-old will make his way back into defence in 2025.
Koltyn Tholstrup impressed in his first year up forward, while Daniel Turner came into his own with 17 goals from 15 appearances. The 22-year-old is training as a forward for a full pre-season for the first time, which should only boost his forward craft in 2025.
Shane McAdam came across from Adelaide in the 2023 trade period but form and injuries limited the small to just three AFL games in 2024.
Kade Chandler should be a simple selection given he played in all 23 matches last year, whilst Jake Melksham provides added depth to the forward line.
