Melbourne's newest recruit, Harry Sharp, is making an immediate impression, dominating pre-season running drills and leaving his teammates trailing in his wake.
The 21-year-old, renowned for his endurance and speed, has taken charge as the pace-setter during the Demons' demanding fitness sessions, demonstrating the athleticism that earned him an AFL Draft Combine 2km time trial record of 5:28 back in 2020.
The former Brisbane Lion, who joined Melbourne via trade after Brisbane's 2024 premiership campaign, has seamlessly integrated into his new club.
During a two-minute interval session, where players alternated between 30 seconds of sprinting and recovery, Sharp surged ahead of his teammates, finishing on the centre wing while others struggled to reach the goalposts more than 100 metres behind.
Despite the searing heat, Sharp appeared unfazed, maintaining composure in the latter stages of the gruelling drills.
Sharp's arrival may add a new dimension to Melbourne's pre-season preparations. A former steeplechase runner with a background in athletics, Sharp was originally drafted by Brisbane at Pick 43 in 2020 while still completing high school.
After three seasons with the Lions, he has landed at Melbourne and is already setting the fitness standard ahead of Christmas.
Meanwhile, his teammates pushed through match simulation, forward-50 connection exercises, and contested ball drills led by Mark Williams.
Young draftees Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay were finding their feet, while sophomore winger Caleb Windsor featured prominently in transition play.
Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca brought high energy, supporting their younger teammates and maintaining high intensity throughout the session as the latter returned for his first session of the pre-season.
Veteran assistant coach Nathan Jones even rolled back the years, joining match simulation and earning praise from players who remarked that the 36-year-old has "still got it!"
Jake Bowey caught the eye with precise ball use and relentless pressure, while Trent Rivers looked poised to take on even greater midfield responsibility, showcasing his ability to win contests and drive play forward.
Charlie Spargo remains sidelined, continuing his recovery from an Achilles injury, and did not participate in any on-field activities.
