Kade Chandler headlines a group of Melbourne players who have re-signed ahead of the 2022 season.
Chandler, who was named emergency for the Grand Final team this year, played five senior games and was on the verge of selection on a number of occasions.
The 21-year-old small forward, who was used as the medical sub multiple times this year, has impressive speed and is dangerous around the goals.
Melbourne List Manager Tim Lamb said it was fantastic to have had Chandler commit to the club.
“Kade had genuine interest from other clubs and it’s pleasing that we have been able to re-sign him,” Lamb told Melbourne Media.
“Not only is Kade a high-quality player, but he is also a great fit for our club culturally and is highly respected among the playing group.”
Oskar Baker, Toby Bedford, Mitch Brown, Majak Daw, Deakyn Smith and Daniel Turner have all inked new deals which will see them remain in the Red and Blue for the upcoming season.
Baker and Bedford have been retained on the senior list, while Brown, Daw, Smith and Turner will remain on the rookie list for 2022.
In addition to Chandler, Lamb said he was pleased to see these six players remain in the Red and Blue.
“We are thrilled to have secured the services of this group of players who we think can contribute to our team going forward.” Lamb said.
“Toby and Oskar have been consistent performers at VFL level and we feel they are developing really well. Mitch has shown he is more than capable at AFL level when he has had the chance and Majak was quite outstanding in the VFL this year.
“We are confident all of these guys can contribute strongly in the AFL side and we know they will be pushing hard to break into the team.
“Deakyn and Daniel are still really young players who we believe have a bright future with us.
“They clearly have the attributes to play senior football and we’re really excited about the impact they can have on our list next year.”
A quick small forward, Bedford had an outstanding VFL season and was a consistent contributor to the side. His impressive year saw him rewarded with a second-place finish in the Casey Demons Best and Fairest.
Baker has played 19 games across three seasons after being selected with pick No.48 in the 2017 National Draft. The endurance runner will look ahead to next season for further opportunities to break into the senior side.
Tall forward Brown, who joined the club at the end of the 2019 season, has played six games for the Demons and contributed to Melbourne’s 50-point win over Hawthorn in Round 5 this season.
Daw joined the Demons last year and has been impressive at VFL level, playing in the ruck and up forward. On the verge of selection, Daw will look to push his case next year, working towards putting another big pre-season under his belt.
19-year-old Smith arrived at the club through Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy as a Pre-Season Supplemental Selection in March 2021. The small defender has impressed with him competitiveness and athleticism this season at Casey.
Turner joined the club in the middle of the 2021 season after being selected at the Mid-Season Rookie Draft with pick No.24. The 19-year-old who is a key defender, settled in well after finding his feet in the AFL system.