"The players (are) thinking what would I actually like to do, not what I'd be afraid to get told off to do." — Jimmy Bartel

Steven King astutely identified the issues that had plagued the Melbourne Football Club over the past two and a half seasons when he auditioned for the newly created coaching role. The side that had claimed the 2021 premiership had become stodgy, slow-paced, and hesitant to take the initiative. 

More concerning was a fractured playing group, divided into distinct cultures, including a small significant faction that proved impossible to appease and who appeared to be giving less than 100% for the cause. Ultimately, those players were moved on, the group unified and playing the style of game to suit the day: a game involving an entertaining brand of fast-paced football played with freedom.

The early returns have been encouraging. After four games, Melbourne sits at three wins and one loss - all against teams that finished above it in 2025. The resurgence peaked on Easter Sunday with another statement victory: a commanding 16.13.109 to 14.5.89 victory over the ladder leading Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.

King’s coming of age brand of football is not one that mandates a team rebuild. The Demons still have a core of their premiership list and they have been joined by a combination of young and old gleaned from the trade and the draft. Still standing strong, head and shoulders above the rest is skipper Max Gawn who dominated a highly competent opponent in Jarrod Witts to the point where he won the hitouts 32 to 21 and Melbourne won the clearance count by 39 to 28 against one of the competition’s strongest on ball divisions.

To fill a void, a natural leader in Jack Steele was recruited into the Demon middle where his solid play is the perfect yin to Kozzy Pickett’s newly introduced chaotic yang. Pickett is emerging as one of the AFL’s best and easily most exciting performers. His run out of defence and pass to cousin Latrelle that ultimately set up a goal was electrifying.

Jake Melksham didn’t play in the Demons premiership and many would have had him pensioned off after his ACL injury late 2023. Yet here he was kicking four goals and taking hangers backed up by another veteran forward in Brody Mihocek whose two goals and selfless acts of support up forward left many wondering why the Magpies let him go so easily.

Christian Salem and key defenders Jake Lever and Tom McDonald all in the veteran category were steady influences against the Suns’ bevy of tall forwards. Special mention needs to be made of Tom Sparrow who has come from out of the shadows of the club’s former elite on ball division and lifted his own game a couple of notches this season. The same can be said of Kade Chandler who chases and harasses - the type of plays that applied the sort of pressure which the Suns have not been accustomed to so far in 2026.

Melbourne was also well served by its emerging brigade. Players like Daniel Turner, Jacob van Rooyen, Blake Howes, Jai Culley and Harry Sharp thriving under the freedom to play fearless, attacking football remain poised to establish themselves in the game. The club's savvy drafting has injected fresh energy, with three consecutive years of first-round picks fuelling the type of enthusiasm and confidence required to mix it with the best teams in the competition as it did with the Suns.

This isn't just a team on the rise – it's a club reborn, with a coach cultivating a culture of fearlessness and freedom. The journey's far from over, and the ride won't always be smooth, but the Demons are crafting a compelling narrative that is breathing new life into the club.

MELBOURNE 2.6.18 8.8.56 13.12.90 16.13.109

GOLD COAST SUNS 4.1.25 8.2.50 12.4.76 14.5.89

GOALS

MELBOURNE Melksham 4 Langford Mihocek 2 Gawn Lindsay K Pickett L Pickett Salem Sharp Tholstrup van Rooyen

GOLD COAST SUNS King Read 3 Z Uwland Walter 2 Graham Gulbin Jeffrey Powell

BEST 

MELBOURNE Gawn K Pickett Steele Salem Sparrow Melksham Sharp

GOLD COAST SUNS Z Uwland Anderson Gulbin Graham B Uwland Noble

INJURIES 

MELBOURNE Nil

GOLD COAST SUNS Nil

REPORTS 

MELBOURNE Nil

GOLD COAST SUNS Nil

UMPIRES Alex Whetton Nathan Williamson Nathan Toner Brent Wallace

CROWD 24,287 at the MCG

well said jacko

Beautiful work - a great day for the club.

@Whispering_Jack thanks. A good write up once again

Not enough credit given to the way Steven King shut down the Suns on Sunday.

It was fantastic to see us nullify some of their stars.

King kicked two early and was always dangerous but he did very little after the first quarter.

Kudos to the coaches and players.