Welcome to our “see you in Bali” wrap, for the teams that are into exit meetings and end-of-season trip plans after falling short of the final eight.
See what went well in 2025, who could be on the move, and something to look forward to in 2026. We’ll publish a new team here every day, so make sure you come back to check them out.
Midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are stars for Melbourne and both have long-term contracts, but that no longer means their respective futures at the club are guaranteed. Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne (14th)
Wins: 7. Losses: 16. Draft picks: 23, 51, 59*
What went well: Kysaiah Pickett graduated from a star goalsneak to a game-breaking midfielder/forward who now rivals skipper Max Gawn as the club’s best player. Despite their troubles, the Demons secured Pickett’s prized signature in a huge coup, keeping him in the red and the blue until the end of 2034 on a lucrative contract.
Gawn was again a colossus, talking through action on the field and becoming their spokesperson for almost every crisis off it.
Kysaiah Pickett and Max Gawn were the shining lights for Melbourne in 2025. Credit: Getty Images
Rebounding defender Jake Bowey has taken the next step to become a driver of the team while Harvey Langford, the No.6 pick in last year’s draft, is the Demons’ next A-grade midfielder after making a seamless transition to senior football.
Veteran forward Jake Melksham, with 33 goals from 18 games, earned himself another contract, which was confirmed by the Demons just days after their season ended.
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