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; Jake Lever and Steven May headline the defence, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver have the potential to get back to their best, and Bayley Fritsch and 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.
May and Lever take the key roles in defence, with their premiership experience becoming of major value as the Demons begin to blood youth into the side.
Judd McVee and Trent Rivers are two young up-and-coming players likely to earn a walk-up spot in the side, while Christian Salem and Tom McDonald are veterans who can also slide into the team.
Jake Bowey began in the best 23 last year before his severe shoulder injury kept him sidelined for several weeks. However, don't be surprised if he returns to the side come Round 1.
Young West Australian Jed Adams has yet to debut but has shown promising signs at the state-league level, while Taj Woewodin and Andy Moniz-Wakefield were introduced to the top flight across the last couple of years.
Father-son Kynan Brown, too, earned a debut last season, albeit as the substitute, but with a full pre-season under his belt and strong VFL displays, he could be rewarded with more AFL appearances, either off-half-back or on the wing.
Additionally, Harrison Petty is predicted to shift back into defence in 2025 after an underwhelming year in the forward line, providing more key stocks to the mix.
Should Petracca and Oliver be healthy, they are immediate inclusions into the midfield mix, alongside Jack Viney. Caleb Windsor is more than likely to continue being positioned on the wing unless Harry Sharp challenges for his spot, with Ed Langdon to resume his usual position on the outside too.
Tom Sparrow adds depth into the midfield but may be stationed in the forward line more often, while Oliver Sestan and Brown are fringe options that could be blooded with more experience this season, although a position in the best 23 is unlikely.
Draftee Harvey Langford has impressed in his first pre-season at the club and can play either midfield or in the forward half.
Xavier Lindsay is a speedy and versatile player, but his best performances in his draft year came from the midfield. However, it may take time to see him in action as he recovers from a PCL injury.
Max Gawn is a lock for the ruck spot, with Tom Campbell and Tom Fullarton to bide their time in the VFL or as a back-up option.
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.
FB: Judd McVee, Steven May, Tom McDonald
HB: Trent Rivers, Jake Lever, Christian Salem
C: Ed Langdon, Clayton Oliver, Caleb Windsor
HF: Kade Chandler, Bayley Fritsch, Tom Sparrow
FF: Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob van Rooyen, Koltyn Tholstrup
FO: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney
I/C: Jake Bowey, Daniel Turner, Harrison Petty, Harvey Langford
SUB: Harry Sharp
Others to consider: Jake Melksham, Jack Billings, Blake Howes, Taj Woewodin, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Kynan Brown, Xavier Lindsay