Christian Petracca: 91

The Melbourne superstar has recovered physically from that seismic King’s Birthday lacerated spleen, four broken ribs and punctured lung - as well as preseason broken rib - but how will he fare psychologically? We won’t know until the games start. But the early signs are good after he flirted with the idea of a trade before returning to the Demons. He was in blistering form in the first half of last season - 16 Brownlow votes and 14 goals (including five against Carlton) from his 13 matches. We’re backing him in full throttle! 2024 rating: 92

Max Gawn: 90

Has nudged past Dean Cox as the ruckman with the most All-Australian blazers (seven) with another superb 2024. He strapped his teammates onto his back last year - again - and carried them when the club stumbled from one issue to the next. Missed two games due to injury late in the year. Had 19.5 disposals and 34 hitouts per game, and led the Demons in contested possessions (252). It’s hard to quantify the importance of his leadership but it’s fair to say the Demons would be stuffed without him. 2024 rating: 89

Jack Viney: 88

When Petracca was injured and considering his future and Oliver was a shadow of his destructive self, this midfield bull flew the flag and threw himself head-first into work. Viney’s pressure was elite (25.3 pressure acts per game) and contested possession count (10.3 per game) was above average. We love the fact his offence was still a factor - he kicked a career-best 10 goals. North Melbourne came hard for him but his loyalty to the club won out. He’s true red and blue. 2024 rating: 88

Steven May: 84

It wasn’t one of his vintage years, but the 33-year-old is still one of the most challenging opponents for the key forwards. His season ended after 19 games, with broken ribs in round 21. The Demons plan to be more attacking this year, which will suit May’s style. He called the club’s game style in 2024 “boring and safe”, which means he will be fully supportive of the change. In the final year of his current deal. 2024 rating: 86

Jake Lever: 83

Lever is Robin to May’s Batman in Melbourne’s defence but he did face some injury concerns in 2024, which dulled his impact a little. His numbers were slightly down but his importance to the club is as critical as ever. He was above average in almost all facets of Champion Data’s stats, but dipped a little in terms of spoils and one on ones. The 28-year-old will be critical as the Dees look to win their first final since that 2021 flag. 2024 rating: 87

Clayton Oliver: 81

We picked the market move on Clarry’s slide last year off the back of a tumultuous preseason last year. But we’re cautiously optimistic of a big 2025 bounce back. He barely had a fitness base leading into 2024 and should be far better equipped after a solid preseason this year. Can he get back to his best? Perhaps. On early preseason samples, he has at least given himself the best shot to make that happen. He met with Geelong last October when the club privately told a few clubs he was gettable. But he stayed, and has six years to run on a deal. Let’s hope he sees it out as the Dees need him back to his best. 2024 rating: 77

Kysaiah Pickett: 80

Kozzie will be an off-field talking point all season - will he “see out” his time at Melbourne or seek a trade to Freo - but on-field he needs to back up what was a solid 2024 season. The exciting mid/forward had a career-best result in the B&F (fourth) and for the fourth year in a row kicked more than 35 goals. Will play more midfield this year than previous years. Needs to find the line between his relentless attack on the footy and reckless abandon. The latter cost him the first three games this year, with a suspension for his bump on Darcy Moore. 2024 rating: 78

Bayley Fritsch: 77

In a team which has found it hard to kick goals, the opportunistic Fritsch is a blessing in disguise for the Demons. He has won the past five club goalkicking awards, and has booted 215 goals in that time (41.23 last year from 23 games). If there was one small gripe, he could sharpen his defensive capabilities without blunting his attack (he had 59 tackles in his 2018 debut year and only 27 last year). 2024 rating: 78

Trent Rivers: 77

The only shining midfield light during the Petracca injury drama was that the Demons finally threw this bloke into the action on a permanent basis and reaped the rewards. He ended the season with career-best numbers (21.3 disposals, 403 metres gained and 6.8 contested possessions), finishing sixth in the Bluey Truscott Medal. There is no reason - at 23 and with 100 games now behind him - that he can’t continue the ascent. 2024 rating: 75

Ed Langdon: 73

Melbourne’s running man is set for a role change in 2025, as our colleague Jay Clark told us recently. Langdon will play more inside mid this year, rather than his customary wing role. That will add some zip and speed to the engine room. Finished fifth in the best and fairest and just keeps on keeping on, having missed only a handful of Dees’ games in six seasons. 2024 rating: 71

Jacob van Rooyen: 73

The key forward turns 22 in April and will look to keep his year-to-year progression rolling after kicking 30.16 from 21 games last year. Could elevate this ranking even further if he can push his tally into the 40+ goals ratio. He took some ruck work in attack and around the stoppages last year which helped Gawn out. Has a big future ahead, but needs to work at it. 2024 rating: 72

Caleb Windsor: 69

The 2023 pick seven already looks like he will be a 15-year player after a hugely underrated debut season which saw him play 19 games and earn a Rising Star nomination. Looked at home on the wing (14.47 disposals and eight goals) but will move to half-back this season which could see him turbo charge the Demons’ ball movement. His 118-rankings point game against Geelong last year showed how good this guy can be when he takes the game on. 2024 rating: 60

Christian Salem: 68

Melbourne would dearly love this defender/mid to recapture his 2021 All-Australian squad form. It’s been a hard run since for Salem, with a host of soft tissue and knee injuries blunting his effectiveness. Has played 13, 16 and 17 games in interrupted seasons since the flag year, with his 2024 figures down 5.3 disposals, 106 metres gained, 2.7 rebound 50s and 2.3 intercept possessions on his 2021 peak. Let’s hope he gets a clear run at it again. 2024 rating: 76

Judd McVee: 65

The McVee streak is over and that’s bad news for Dees fans. After playing every Melbourne game since his round 1 debut in 2023, the one-time rookie is going to miss an extended period of games with a high-grade hamstring. He will be missed early in the season, having been a crucial part of the Dees’ back six last year. Finished sixth in the B&F last year and his rating would have been in the high 60s if not for the high-grade hamstring injury that will sideline him in the early part of the season. 2024 rating: 68

Tom McDonald: 65

A return to defence brought about the veteran’s best form in several years as he looked more comfortable defending than attacking. Worked well with May and Lever, playing 22 games, his best return since the 2021 premiership season. It brought about above average returns in metres gained, spoils, disposals and intercept. Can he back it up again? Will the return of Petty to defence impact him? 2024 rating: 51

Harrison Petty: 65

It’s back to the future for Harry Petty and not before time. There were some within the Demons camp who wanted to end the forward experiment during last season but Simon Goodwin stood firm. Thankfully the coach has now swung him back. Just 21 goals in the past two seasons wasn’t going to cut it. He will look much more comfortable at the other end. 2024 rating: 73

Kade Chandler: 65

Has carved a bit of a niche as a small forward with two consistent seasons - playing 23 games in each of them - which saw him rewarded with eighth place in the B&F. His pressure role is important and will be doubly so in the first three weeks in Pickett’s absence. He averaged 30 forward half pressure points and 20.1 forward pressure acts last year. Can he score 30 goals after 24 and 18 in the last two years? 2024 rating: 55

Tom Sparrow: 64

The mid/forward is edging closer to 100 games after barely missing a game in the past four seasons, but his stats regressed a little last year. He was solid but just didn’t impact games the way he should be doing. Turns 25 in May and is considered a young leader within the group, but we’d love to see him take a few more steps in 2025. 2024 rating: 65

Harvey Langford: 64

Is he going to be a Jack Viney clone? A midfield bull in every sense of the word, the Dees’ No.6 pick is on track for a round 1 debut after impressing teammates across the preseason. The 18-year-old has even drawn praise from Viney and co. He averaged 25 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s at the national championship. Steps through traffic like a good player - a trait Demons fans are going to love. C’mon Goody, just lock him in now! 2024 rating: N/A

Daniel Turner: 64

Simon Goodwin got ‘Disco’ right. He decided to switch the one-time rookie defender to attack last year, and he responded immediately, kicking three goals against Richmond (in his third game). He ended the year as a partner in attack for van Rooyen and kicked 17.7, including a four-goal haul against Gold Coast in the penultimate round. 2024 rating: N/A

Jake Bowey: 63

Missed two months of footy last year after suffering a collarbone injury against Sydney in Opening Round. It wasn’t ideal and he struggled to recapture his best form when he returned to the fray. Still played 14 games for the year without the same damaging impact we’ve seen from him before. Might get his chance to recapture that this season. 2024 rating: 64

Jake Melksham: 62

He’s a bloody hard player to hold back. Every time you think someone might have passed him, his tenacity and willpower gets him back into the fray. He resumed off his knee injury in the VFL but was back playing AFL in round 17, kicking two goals against the Eagles. He’s 33 now, but still rates elite in F50 marks. Kicked eight goals in his eight games last year. Don’t discount him finding a spot again in 2025. 2024 rating: 38

Xavier Lindsay: 59

He will likely form a one-two killer punch with Harvey Langford in the future, but for the moment he will look to get 15 games under his belt in what will be a learning year for the midfielder who could also find a spot on the wing. He’s a metres gained player, rated second in the national championships, so he is going to be an exciting watch in 2025 and beyond. 2024 rating: N/A

Koltyn Tholstrup: 54

This rating would have been higher but for the bone stress injury that will sideline him for the first part of the season. It’s a shame as the 2023 No.11 pick had shown some encouraging signs last year. He ended up playing 10 games in attack, kicking five goals and rating above average for F50 marks. Will have to work hard to get back but he is capable of locking down a role in the second half of the season. 2024 rating: 52

Harry Sharp: 54

The Brisbane wingman couldn’t lock down a regular role on the wing - 16 games in four years - so he was eager to try his luck at a new home. But it won’t be easy locking in a wing role in a Dees’ side bursting with mids. He was, however, recruited for a purpose, so expect him to get a look in nice and early. The Lions thought so highly of him that he was an emergency for the grand final. 2024 rating: 44

Blake Howes: 53

Finally broke through for his AFL debut in his third season with the club, the intercept defender ended up playing 16 games as he worked alongside stars May and Lever. Can he hold his spot in 2025 with Petty and McDonald in the mix down there. 2024 rating: 33

Jack Billings: 52

The pressure is on for the former Saints as he faces the final year of his deal with Melbourne, with a question mark on his role within the side. He did play 16 games last year, but kicked only four goals. Turns 30 this year and still has some assets, but the pressure will be on for spots. Big year ahead. 2024 rating: 49

Charlie Spargo: 52

It was a wipeout year for the 2021 premiership player due to an Achilles tendon injury suffered in the Opening Round clash, which ended up requiring surgery. He never made it back. It left him on 98 games but the Dees are confident he can bring his forward pressure craft to the fore again in 2025. There is a spot there for him again if he can stay sound. 2024 rating: 58

Taj Woewodin: 50

He was almost the Dees’ first choice sub for a large slice of the season, with 10 of his 16 matches coming as the substitute. It must have been frustrating for the son of a Dees’ Brownlow winner, but he would have learnt plenty from the experiences. 2024 rating: 36

Andy Moniz-Wakefield: 48

His patience was rewarded after he finally made his AFL debut in round 16 against Brisbane, having been with the club since he was next generation rookie draftee from 2021. He didn’t look out of place when he got his chance. His pressure and one-on-one work was commendable, but now he has to get his way back in the side again. 2024 rating: 30

Bailey Laurie: 47

The club hasn’t given up on the pick 22 from the 2020 national draft, having handed him a deal that stretches into 2026. But the small forward needs to start making his mark. He has played 11 games in the past two seasons - including six last year and 13 times as an emergency - but never had the continuity required. Will he get it in 2025? 2024 rating: 35

Aidan Johnson: 48

A mature-aged key forward from Werribee’s VFL premiership side, the 24-year-old has been recruited to potentially give the Demons a new avenue to goal. Originally from Lavington, he had been a teammate of Shaun Mannagh, who urged him to try his luck in the VFL. He kicked 17.18 from 20 games last year, and looms as a wildcard option this season. 2024 rating: N/A

Tom Campbell: 45

Google ‘journeyman ruckman’, and there’s likely to be an image of Campbell, who has previously been at Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and St Kilda. He’s played 58 games in 13 seasons. He’s never played more than 10 games in a season - just two with the Saints last year - but can provide insurance for Max Gawn. 2024 rating: 38

Jack Henderson: 45

Playing for the Eagles in a match sim game on a Monday; signed up by Melbourne by the end of the week. It’s been a wild ride for the 24-year-old who has joined Werribee premiership teammate Aidan Johnson at the Demons. Midfielder who had 23 disposals and kicked two goals in the VFL grand final. 2024 rating: N/A

Marty Hore: 44

In his second stint with the Demons, he surprised us a little by playing six games last season and again will be on call in defence in case the likes of May, Lever, McDonald and Petty have any injury concerns. Good cover if needed. 2024 rating: 39

Kynan Brown: 44

The young Demon played two games as the sub last year, but laid one of the club’s most important tackles in 2024. He launched himself at Nick Larkey as Melbourne clung to a three-point lead late in the round 15 clash. It was a big tick for the coaching staff, and he could get more opportunities this year. 2024 rating: 32

Tom Fullarton: 39

Was meant to be the Brodie Grundy replacement when he joined the club from Brisbane last year but his cards appeared to be marked when he was overlooked as a ruck back-up when Max Gawn was out injured for a fortnight. Hard to see how that changes in 2025. 2024 rating: 44

Jed Adams: 34

196cm key defender who has been unable to crack it for a senior game in three years on the Demons’ list. Played 17 games with Casey. He will keep pushing hard but needs to start making inroads soon. 2024 rating: 34

Ricky Mentha: 33

Next Generation Demon who hails from Alice Springs and played 14 games for Gippsland Power last year. Still raw, but he is a small forward who can also spend some time in defence. The 18-year-old can build on his craft and experience through the Casey program. 2024 rating: N/A

Will Verrall: 30

199cm ruckman who has been at the club for three seasons now without getting a look-in. Has had some injury challenges. Did perform OK at VFL level last year. 2024 rating: 28

Oliver Sestan: 29

This is third year on the Demons’ rookie list, so it is time that he started making a move. Mid/forward who has played 16 games in each of the past two VFL seasons but is yet to get close to making his AFL debut. Averaged 15.3 disposals and kicked 15 goals including four for Casey against Brisbane. 2024 rating: 28

Luker Kentfield: 28

Midseason draft pick who spent some time in hospital with pneumonia when he was back in Perth during the Christmas break. The 194cm forward played nine games with Casey in the second half of last year, but his return of 4.3 disposals, 1.6 marks and five goals will need to be elevated if he is breakthrough for a senior game. 2024 rating: N/A

Shane McAdam: 20

Gee, footy can be a cruel game. Just when it looked like he was ready to stake his claim for a forward berth after three games and a goal last year, the former Crows forward ruptured his Achilles during the week. His season is over. 2024 rating: 70

Poor Jefferson...the forgotten man.

This is why the majority of serious football fans don't take the little paper seriously ...

No mention of Jefferson at all? No talk that Sestan has been training as a defender this year? Calling Laurie a small forward when he's clearly much more of a midfielder?

Trash paper.

  On 19/02/2025 at 23:01, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Poor Jefferson...the forgotten man.

Last year it was Disco who they left out, hence the mystery about why he has no 2024 rating.  :)

"2024 rating: N/A"

  On 19/02/2025 at 23:04, whatwhat say what said:

This is why the majority of serious football fans don't take the little paper seriously ...

No mention of Jefferson at all? No talk that Sestan has been training as a defender this year? Calling Laurie a small forward when he's clearly much more of a midfielder?

Trash paper.

It's interesting how the tabloid Herald Sun (and its predecessor, the Sun News Pictorial) were always called the "little paper" to contrast it with The Age which was a broadsheet. Even now, after The Age has been tabloid size for quite some time (more than a decade?) the epithet "little paper" still clearly suits based on what it says, rather than its physical size.

  On 19/02/2025 at 23:30, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

It's interesting how the tabloid Herald Sun (and its predecessor, the Sun News Pictorial) were always called the "little paper" to contrast it with The Age which was a broadsheet. Even now, after The Age has been tabloid size for quite some time (more than a decade?) the epithet "little paper" still clearly suits based on what it says, rather than its physical size.

also probably shows my vintage (looking 45, feeling 72) that i still call it that

Fluff

  On 19/02/2025 at 23:01, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Poor Jefferson...the forgotten man.

A BLOODY DISGRACE!!🤮🤮🤮🤮

This list is a disgrace, has left off Jefferson, Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satanas, and Lucifer

Fritsch a mediocre 77?

He is top 3 mid sized fwd in the comp.

 

  On 20/02/2025 at 00:31, roy11 said:

This list is a disgrace, has left off Jefferson, Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satanas, and Lucifer

Add Old Nick (back up back up ruck), Dickens, Mephistopheles and El Diablo (soccer crossovers), plain Satan, Lord of the Flies (bring the aero guard), and (Rupert Murdoch endorsed) Prince of Darkness. Sports Editor gets the sack and eternity in hell for his lassitude. 

Edited February 20Feb 20 by Tarax Club
Bought to you by Lucifer’s Firelighters

They also left out my rating, which is 20.

Like Shane McAdam, I won't be playing for Melbourne this year.

Not really a list to be taken seriously, but I did raise an eyebrow at the mention fo Fritsch being our leading goalkicker for five years.

That includes 2020 when he was not a full time forward, and only played 16 games for a total of 22 goals. He just barely missed in 2019, behind Petracca and Jayden Hunt, which is weird.

That got me thinking about our forward line and goalkickers for 2025.

I can certainly picture van Rooyen kicking 40+ this season and being our first classic tall forward leading goal scorer since McDonald & Hogan went 1-2 in 2018 . It'll be very interesting to see how the game plan and personnel changes (Petty going back, more Disco time, Jefferson coming in, and don't underestimate Melksham's return with fitness) affect who is kicking the goals and who is giving the classic CHF and third tall connecting leads.

Troy Chaplin, in his first season in charge of the forwards, has a really complex puzzle to work with and surely a comprehensive mandate to follow his own initiative. From a personal ambition point of view it much me thrilling - imagine being the defensive coach that crafted the 2021 Demon defence-first premiership, and the forward coach that powered the club's resurgence with a more aggressive style from 2025 onwards?

  On 20/02/2025 at 00:31, roy11 said:

This list is a disgrace, has left off Jefferson, Belial, Behemoth, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satanas, and Lucifer

  On 20/02/2025 at 01:17, Tarax Club said:

Add Old Nick (back up back up ruck), Dickens, Mephistopheles and El Diablo (soccer crossovers), plain Satan, Lord of the Flies (bring the aero guard), and (Rupert Murdoch endorsed) Prince of Darkness. Sports Editor gets the sack and eternity in hell for his lassitude. 

They didn't even know we'd picked up Asura Andhaka as a cat B rookie.

  On 20/02/2025 at 01:45, Little Goffy said:

Troy Chaplin, in his first season in charge of the forwards, has a really complex puzzle to work with and surely a comprehensive mandate to follow his own initiative. From a personal ambition point of view it much me thrilling - imagine being the defensive coach that crafted the 2021 Demon defence-first premiership, and the forward coach that powered the club's resurgence with a more aggressive style from 2025 onwards?

If Chaplin can line up the backs and the forwards we're going to be a lot better side. The trick is to maintain our defence and contest behind the ball and but add some pace when attacking. What we can't have is May caught 30m from his man when we turn it over kicking into F50. That will not only bleed goals it'll bleed confidence. I'm hoping Chaplin is just applying a few attacking tweaks (McVee is a huge loss) What I want to see is us hunting teams like Hawthorn and Collingwood so the pressure is rampant on their runners. Force the turnover and then move it quickly into attack. I hope we're fit enough.

Not far off.

Need to get some of those 30s and 40s into the 50s and 60s

What does the rating represent?

Potentially how good they could be this year?

As soon as Kozzi trade talk ramps up he’ll be talked about like top 5 in the comp player

It's been update/added in the article now it seems?

Matt Jefferson 48
The Dees are hoping their patience in key forward Jefferson finally comes to fruition. Came so close to making his AFL debut (an emergency on four occasions last year). Has kicked 52 goals from his 37 VFL games and was placed in Casey's B&F. Turns 21 in March, the one-time first round pick should get a look in at some stage in 2025.

 

 

It’s a half decent effort for an outsider to rate every player on our list. It is obviously subjective but I thought, overall, it was a fair rating. 

  On 20/02/2025 at 11:50, Robbie02 said:

It’s a half decent effort for an outsider to rate every player on our list. It is obviously subjective but I thought, overall, it was a fair rating. 

I must admit it is pretty easy to criticize. Honestly I don't mind any of this. It's not nasty, grubby or lazy rumour mongering. Of course some of this is wrong and we're welcome to criticize .... and the writer gets paid.

  On 20/02/2025 at 15:03, Go Ds said:

I must admit it is pretty easy to criticize. Honestly I don't mind any of this. It's not nasty, grubby or lazy rumour mongering. Of course some of this is wrong and we're welcome to criticize .... and the writer gets paid.

Plus, they have to find something to say that is AFL-related every day at this time of year. There's not always a genuine news story, so puff pieces and fillers like this dominate the off-season.

  On 19/02/2025 at 23:04, whatwhat say what said:

This is why the majority of serious football fans don't take the little paper seriously ...

No mention of Jefferson at all? No talk that Sestan has been training as a defender this year? Calling Laurie a small forward when he's clearly much more of a midfielder?

Trash paper.

No one pick up on the way he raves about McVees season and top 6 finish in the b&f but then gives him a lower 2024 ranking than Shane McAdams 1 goal in 3 games 

  On 20/02/2025 at 11:17, DemonDave said:

It's been update/added in the article now it seems?

Matt Jefferson 48
The Dees are hoping their patience in key forward Jefferson finally comes to fruition. Came so close to making his AFL debut (an emergency on four occasions last year). Has kicked 52 goals from his 37 VFL games and was placed in Casey's B&F. Turns 21 in March, the one-time first round pick should get a look in at some stage in 2025.

 

 

Should play round 1 baring injury!

  On 21/02/2025 at 12:30, Deez21 said:

No one pick up on the way he raves about McVees season and top 6 finish in the b&f but then gives him a lower 2024 ranking than Shane McAdams 1 goal in 3 games 

Umm, I'm assuming there was a similar article 12 months ago and McAdams' predicted 2024 rating was a lot higher than his eventual output.

This is almost as bad as Champion Data ratings.