Demonland

MELBOURNE Demons CEO Paul Guerra has written to club members It’s a great privilege to be writing to you for the first time as the CEO of the Melbourne Football Club. It’s an honour and I’m incredibly excited to be entering this next chapter, together. It’s been a few weeks since I officially started – trust me when I say I had been eager to get my feet under the desk for some time – and I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome. I have been fortunate enough to meet many of our members and supporters at various events and matches, sharing ideas, stories and traditions. As a club, we will aspire to be the best, driving high performance both on and off the field. Our President Brad Green and the Board have done a terrific job in setting the foundations for the next phase of our journey, and I am excited to work with Brad, and in turn Steven Smith, and the Board to build on that momentum. Earlier this month, we proudly made the announcement that Steven King will be our new AFL Senior Coach. Steven was extremely impressive in his presentation to the selection panel, and we were unanimous in the belief that he is the right person to take us forward. Steven will officially commence with the club this week, following Geelong’s grand final appearance over the weekend. We are delighted to welcome him, his wife Danielle and their children to the Melbourne Football Club. As we reach the end of the AFL season, I want to take a moment to thank all our partners who have been with us for the 2025 campaign. Their support plays a vital role in everything we do, and just as importantly, helping our players to perform at their best on the field. Hertz, who have been part of our family for decades, will continue their sponsorship with the club in a different capacity in 2026. This does create an opportunity for a new Co-Principal Partner to feature on our men’s guernsey and excitingly, we are already in conversations with a number of prospective partners. We look forward to sharing more news with you in due course. With the final siren sounding on the season, we know attention quickly turns to the AFL Trade and Free Agency period. There will be plenty of speculation over the next few weeks, and I would like to acknowledge that this can be unsettling for many of our members. While much will be spoken about, I implore you to keep tabs on our official club channels, being our website and social media, for accurate information. We will endeavour to share any updates in a timely fashion. No doubt many of you would have heard Christian Petracca’s name mentioned in recent days. As a footy club we couldn’t be more excited and confident in where our AFL program is headed. We know our future success will be built on people and players who are fully committed to where we are heading. We met with Christian late last week where he expressed his desire to explore a fresh start in 2026. Christian is contracted for a further four years and is a once in a generation player. With this in mind, any decision regarding Christian’s future will be made in the best interest of the Melbourne Football Club. In terms of our overarching strategy for this period, our focus is simple; we will explore every opportunity to strengthen our list. Our job is to ensure our list is the best it can be and that ultimately Melbourne Football Club is competing in September. To give you more insight, please click here to view a member-first interview with our AFL List Manager Tim Lamb, which seeks to provide a preview of what to expect in the weeks ahead. On field, it’s been a strong start to the season for our AFLW team, having notched up six, out of a possible seven, wins to date. Led by Senior Coach Mick Stinear and Captain Kate Hore, the group is playing a terrific brand of footy – one that I know they’re excited to build on over the coming weeks. It’s been fantastic to see the support of the Demon faithful, both at home and away, and I hope you’re looking forward to what lies ahead. Thank you again for the warm welcome I have received so far from everyone involved with the Melbourne Football Club. Together I know we can continue to make everyone proud to belong. I hope to see you at IKON Park on Friday night for our AFLW clash against Essendon. Go Dees, Paul Guerra CEO Melbourne Football Club

It was a frustrating season for the former number 13 draft selection, who failed to build momentum in his second campaign; Tholstrup played only nine games, having been omitted twice and substituted out three times. However, he demonstrated promising signs in the midfield at Casey towards the end of the season, and big things are anticipated from him in the coming years. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2025: 9 Career Total: 19 Goals MFC 2024: 3 Career Total: 8 Games CDFC 2025: 8 Goals CDFC 2025: 4

Darcy Fogarty Stats Year Team # GM W-D-L KI MK HB DI GL BH HO TK RB IF CL CG FF FA BR CP UP CM MI 1% BO GA 2018 Adelaide 32 10 4-0-6 57 32 27 84 9 3 20 3 20 1 24 7 15 43 51 6 11 17 1 7 2019 Adelaide 32 4 1-0-3 28 22 14 42 9 1 1 2 11 3 1 2 1 12 30 5 6 5 1 2 2020 Adelaide 32 10 3-0-7 41 19 33 74 8 1 2 22 2 13 3 21 11 10 49 23 7 5 13 1 3 2021 Adelaide 32 17 5-0-12 95 53 42 137 24 12 1 21 34 5 28 19 16 73 71 15 28 19 6 2022 Adelaide 32 17 6-0-11 113 75 54 167 33 14 2 31 41 6 41 11 20 2 85 91 24 32 39 8 2023 Adelaide 32 21 9-0-12 157 102 80 237 34 23 1 41 1 41 8 50 11 24 3 102 139 24 42 24 2 16 2024 Adelaide 32 23 8-1-14 165 111 85 250 41 16 35 1 49 4 48 17 23 2 113 140 32 39 35 4 15 2025 Adelaide 32 24 18-0-6 186 115 83 269 41 16 26 2 52 5 54 16 19 86 183 22 41 31 19 Totals 126 54-1-71 842 529 418 1260 199 86 7 198 9 261 32 269 93 129 8 563 728 135 204 183 9 76 Averages 15.75 43.25% 6.68 4.20 3.32 10.00 1.58 0.68 0.06 1.57 0.07 2.07 0.25 2.13 0.74 1.02 0.06 4.47 5.78 1.07 1.62 1.45 0.07 0.60

Clayton Oliver, a four-time best and fairest winner at the club, has navigated a challenging period over the past two years, marked by injuries and personal issues, but has demonstrated promising signs suggesting a return to his optimal form in 2025. He is presently contracted to the club for an additional five years, with a substantial annual salary of approximately $1.7 million in the final seasons of his agreement. All at Melbourne are eagerly anticipating his resurgence to his previous peak performance levels. Date of Birth: 22 July 1997 Height: 189cm Games MFC 2025: 22 Career Total: 205 Goals MFC 2025: 4 Career Total: 58 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 353 votes

Billings managed only one game at Melbourne in the final year of his contract but was outstanding at VFL level where he played a significant role in Casey’s run into the finals often collecting 30 + touches during that period. His delisting was announced on the night of the club’s best and fairest count. Date of Birth: 18 August 1995 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2025: 1 Career Total: 172 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 112 Games CDFC 2025: 17 Goals CDFC 2025: 14

Langdon showcased his versatility when he was asked to leave his customary wing position at times to undertake midfield and tagging roles. A consistent performer at the Demons, he’s contracted for three more years. Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2025: 23 Career Total: 202 Goals MFC 2025: 8 Career Total: 84 Melbourne Football Club: 8th Best & Fairest: 333 votes

Seemingly out of favour in 2025, the smooth moving Laurie spent the year in the VFL as a leading light in the Casey Demons midfield, and he will likely be hoping that a new coach can revitalise his career or, alternatively, find a potential suitor from another AFL club. Date of Birth: 24 March 2002 Height: 179cm Games MFC 2025: 1 Career Total: 12 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 2 Games CDFC 2025: 18 Goals CDFC 2025: 17

Jake Bowey experienced a breakout season as Melbourne's primary ball handler operating off half back. As a skilled distributor of the football, he deserved the recognition he received for his invaluable contribution to the team cause. Date of Birth: 12 September 2002 Height: 175cm Games MFC 2025: 23 Career Total: 84 Goals MFC 2025: 2 Career Total: 8 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 votes Melbourne Football Club: Ivor Warne Smith Memorial Trophy 4th Best & Fairest: 459 votes

Melksham has shown great resilience since his ACL injury in late 2023 and ended the season with a career-high goals tally of 33 goals including an impressive purple patch in mid year. He was rewarded with a new contract for 2026. Date of Birth: 29 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2025: 19 Career Total: 248 Goals MFC 2025: 33 Career Total: 221 Brownlow Medal Votes: 2 votes

Joking ... Not Joking

The tall, powerful early first-round draft pick from 2024, Langford had a remarkable debut season in both the midfield and playing up forward in patches. He finished fourth in the Rising Star Award. The youngster is viewed as a long-term, blue-chip midfielder with an exceptional future. Date of Birth: 15 March 2006 Height: 190cm Games MFC 2025: 22 Career Total: 22 Goals MFC 2025: 14 Career Total: 14 Games CDFC 2025: 1 Goals CDFC 2025: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 318 votes

Get the lowdown on the dates, rule changes, draft implications and more ahead of the 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period and the Free Agency windows. What is the Trade Period?A 10-day window that occurs following each year's Grand Final, but before the Telstra AFL Draft, allowing all 18 clubs to exchange players and draft picks in a formal setting. It gives clubs a chance to improve their playing list or selections at the Draft. What are the key dates of this year's Trade and Free Agency periods?The Free Agency period will open on Friday October 3 at 9am AEST and close on Friday October 10 at 5pm AEDT The Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period will commence on Monday October 6 at 9am AEDT and close on Wednesday October 15 at 7.30pm AEDT. Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio is on every day of the Trade and Free Agency period from 7am-6pm AEDT Who and what can be traded?Players and draft picks, or a combination of both. Participating clubs deem what's a fair exchange, although ultimately it is verified by the AFL. There is a rule change for this year, with clubs now able to trade picks two years in advance. It means clubs can trade picks for the 2025 draft this year as well as 2026 and 2027. Click here to see every club's draft picks as they stand for 2025, 2026 and 2027 Most trades involve two clubs, but exchanges involving three or more are allowed. How are clubs allocated their draft selections?Draft selections are the reverse order of the finishing ladder from that season. In 2025, Richmond finished 18th, therefore its first draft pick is No.1, and so on. This repeats a minimum of three times (each club must select three players at the draft) but can go beyond that depending on the number of list spots each club has to fill. With clubs able to trade two years in advance, the selections aren't always a perfect reverse order. For example, in 2024, Hawthorn did a deal that saw them land Carlton's future first-round pick. It means the Hawks have pick 8 - which is essentially Carlton's pick for finishing 11th - in the draft this year. What is the Draft Value Index, and how will it change in 2025?This is a system devised by the AFL that attaches a points total to each draft pick. For example, pick No.1 is worth 3000 points, pick No.2 is worth 2481 points, and so it goes all the way down to pick No.54, which is worth 14 points. Any picks from 55 onwards are worth zero. This DVI system is in place for two reasons. The first is to ensure clubs pay 'fair value' for father-son selections or Academy players they have special access to. For example, in 2024, Brisbane had access to father-son Levi Ashcroft. Melbourne chose to select him at No.5 in the draft, but the Lions were able to match the bid (1878 points, minus a 20 per cent discount) to attain the player. The second reason for the system is a rough way for the AFL and clubs to identify if a swap of picks is fair. It's not a perfect science, but a club swapping pick No.2 (2481 points) for No.6 (1659) and No.18 (836) would be close to fair. Clubs requiring points to match bids on father-son and Academy players will often 'trade down' to gather more points. For example, a club that has pick No.22 (686 points) might trade with another club that has pick No.28 (505) and No.36 (317). This gives them 822 points – an increase – while the other club moves to a much higher selection in the draft. 2025 sees a revamped Draft Value Index system introduced for the first time, which attributes fewer points to draft picks as they move further down the order to force clubs to pay a 'fair' price for players. You can see and compare the 2025 DVI with the 2024 DVI at the bottom of this page here What is Free Agency?Free Agency gives players another vehicle to change clubs. There are two types of free agents – restricted and unrestricted. Unrestricted free agents have served eight years or more at one club, are out of contract, and can automatically move to the club of their choice. There is no need for a trade. This includes any player that has been delisted. They are called delisted free agents and can go to any club that wants them without needing a trade. Restricted free agents are a little trickier. They have served eight years or more with one club and are in the top 25 per cent of wage earners at that club – often among the 'star' players of a team. Opposition clubs can make an offer to lure these players. If the offer is matched – both in duration and financially – by their current club but the player still wants to move, a trade then has to be struck. The full list of restricted and unrestricted free agents in 2025 can be found here What is Free Agency compensation?The AFL will allocate draft picks to clubs with a net loss of free agents over one Trade Period, using a formula it has devised. The formula produces a points rating for players based on: the new contract of the free agent and the age of the free agent. Draft picks will be allocated in one of five places – first round (immediately following that club's current selection), end of first round, second round, end of second round, or third round. Can clubs trade who they like?No. Clubs can trade players that are out of contract, but who they have an intention of re-signing if they can't find a suitor. However, if a player has one or more year to run on their existing deal, the club must have the player's consent to be traded to another club. A player can veto any proposed move they don't agree with, regardless of whether they are in or out of contract. What is a 'salary dump'?Clubs that are close to, or over, the salary cap (the amount every club is allowed to spend each year on assembling its team), might wish to trade one of its more expensive players that has fallen out of favour with the coaches. To incentivise another club to trade for that player and his hefty contract, the original club can attach a draft pick to it, so essentially the receiving club gets the player and a draft pick to take on the contract. Anything else we should know?Delisted free agents can still be signed once the Trade Period closes and clubs are also able to exclusively trade draft picks – not players – up until and during the Telstra AFL Draft, which this year will be held on November 19-20.

Melbourne made a strategic move prior to last year’s draft to get a second top 10 pick and ended up securing the classy ball handler capable of playing off half-back, on a wing, and potentially in the midfield. Lindsay’s silky smooth form in his debut season justified the recruiting team’s rationale in forfeiting a major part of their 2025 draft hand to acquire him. It was a big win for the club. Date of Birth: 3 August 2006 Height: 183cm Games MFC 2025: 18 Career Total: 18 Goals MFC 2025: 2 Career Total: 2

Jefferson was uncapped in his first two seasons at Melbourne but finally made his AFL debut in the opening round of the season and scored a goal with his first kick. However, it was not all smooth sailing for young tall forward who gravitated during the year between the senior team and Casey where he mixed a couple a couple of promising five goal bags with some quieter days. Date of Birth: 8 March 2004 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2025: 7 Career Total: 7 Goals MFC 2025: 4 Career Total: 4 Games CDFC 2025: 9 Goals CDFC 2025: 18

The medium-sized defender has good athleticism and showed good improvement during the season without fully cementing his place in the senior team. Date of Birth: 7 March 2003 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2025: 12 Career Total: 28 Goals MFC 2025: 1 Career Total: 1 Games CDFC 2025: 9 Goals CDFC 2025: 1

McAdam suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in February after just three senior games in 2024 and was ruled out for the entire season. He has a contract for next year. Date of Birth: 28 May 1995 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 53 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 73

Good morning @Jaded No More

Some of the players were still recovering from what ailed them in the 2021 Preliminary Final.

The dashing premiership defender continued to adapt to the occasional role as a midfielder where he enjoyed some success with his strong running and long kicking. Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2025: 23 Career Total: 123 Goals MFC 2025: 4 Career Total: 13

The veteran Demon might be slowing down a little, but his wealth of experience frequently proved invaluable, and he became the cornerstone of the team's defensive unit, particularly during the latter half of the season. Ultimately, he played more games as a key defender than Steven May and Jake Lever, the players for whom he was initially the backup. Consequently, McDonald was rewarded with a one-year contract extension. Date of Birth: 18 September 1992 Height: 195cm Games MFC 2025: 17 Career Total: 249 Goals MFC 2025: 1 Career Total: 170 Games CDFC 2025: 4 Goals CDFC 2025: 0

Collingwood was the only team we didn’t beat in 2021, they sacked their coach and won the flag 2 years later. Bring on 2027 🏆🔴🔵😈