Melbourne could be primed for another busy off-season as they look to steer themselves back into premiership contention and add to a list worthy of doing so.
Currently sitting outside of the top eight, the Demons - while still a chance to press their case for a strong finals run - will be looking at how and where the club can improve for the years to come.
Coach Simon Godwin has relied on a large number of the club's emerging ranks while remaining in the race for September, with a balance of future assets and some experience to aid both ends of the ground potentially in their sights this trade and free agency window.
So who could Melbourne consider come the off-season? We name five players who might be a good fit in their list planning beyond 2024.
OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN
The Demons are in need of ruck support and personnel who could potentially aid the front half of the field while working in tandem with skipper Max Gawn.
Ironically, Ladhams has struggled to break into Sydney's side this year given the arrival of departed Demon Brodie Grundy, who couldn't quite fire as a forward while sharing the ruck role with Gawn in 2023.
Ladhams, who departed Port Adelaide at the end of 2021 in pursuit of better opportunities elsewhere, could be more suited for the hybrid ruck-forward role at the Demons, offering his services as a forward target who can alleviate Gawn's workload when needed.
This weekend will be a prime example for why the Demons may also be chasing an experienced ruckman, with Gawn sidelined with an ankle injury to leave Melbourne without a clear replacement.
Stone has proven to be a viable asset at the VFL level and has struggled to break into Adam Kingsley's strong forward group.
His form in the reserves caught the eye early this year, with Stone kicking 14 goals in his first five games of 2024. That purple patch was followed by limited looks at AFL level, with Stone since returning to the VFL and playing a role further up the field in his comeback run.
The past four matches have seen the medium-sized forward average 22.25 disposals and 7.25 marks per game, with Stone proving to have some flexibility as an asset outside of the forward 50 also.
With the Demons likely looking at forward options come the off-season, Stone shapes as a gettable target with high upside.
A move that would certainly headline this year's player movement period should it eventuate.
Stringer is currently unsigned for 2025 and could find himself within the sights of rivals should his future remain clouded. There's no doubt the Bombers will be keen to retain the premiership Bulldog, but it's worth asking the question if you're a club like Melbourne.
In 2024, Stringer has kicked 32 goals and assisted a further eight as he rekindles some strong form in the red and black.
In need of some spark in the front half, perhaps, could the veteran forward find himself at a third club? And would Melbourne be willing to come to the table if so? It's one worth considering.
A big piece in any move would be whether Stringer sees Essendon closer to a premiership than Melbourne, which certainly looks the case this season.
Another Giants forward who can't quite break into his club's AFL side, with Derksen midway through his third season with the Giants.
A 194cm forward who has the athletic ability to pinch hit in the ruck, Derksen kicked 35 goals from 18 VFL games in 2023 to finish fifth on the league's goal-kicking leaderboard.
This year he has transitioned to the back half as an intercepting defender and looked right at home in doing so, with his swingman traits sure to be an attractive trait given the Demons' often reliance on similarly useful talent.
Derksen could fill several roles for Simon Goodwin, acting as another tall forward, a supporting ruckman or as a defensive asset.
The Irishman, while contracted for 2025, has been linked with a potential return to Victoria, with his old club Collingwood said to hold a mutual interest in a reunion.
But that shouldn't be stopping other sides, namely Melbourne, from asking the question also.
Given Keane is under contract, the Crows can decide to hold him to the final 12 months of his deal, or seek out the highest bidder for his services - where the Demons could edge out the Magpies.
A strong lockdown and intercept defender, Keane could slot into the third tall role alongside premiership pair Jake Lever and Steven May, and at 24 years of age could be the face of the club's rearguard long after the duo retire.