EVERY YEAR, at every club, discussions are had among members and supporters alike on which young talents have shown the most promise from their pre-season work.

And while Melbourne is home to an array of young stars, one name that has popped up ahead of the 2023 season has been the previously unassuming Judd McVee.

McVee joined the Demons back in November of 2021 during the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

He was one of three draftees that year to have made the trip to Melbourne from Western Australia, hailing from Geraldton, a small town 424 kilometres north of Perth.

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The speedy defender showed positive signs during his first campaign in the red and blue, playing 19 matches for the Casey Demons and finishing the year as a member of the club’s VFL Premiership side.

But it wasn’t until McVee returned from Western Australia for the 2023 pre-season that many external voices started to take notice of the 185cm defender.

Coming back to Melbourne alongside teammates Jacob van Rooyen and Taj Woewodin, it seemed that the trio would return as some of the fittest among the playing group.

“It’s really impressive to see the young guys come back in such good condition,” Charlie Spargo told Melbourne Media back in December.

“It’s a testament to those young players for buying into the culture we’re trying to build in terms of being really professional and coming back in great condition.”

The trio decided to use their time at home in the West as an opportunity to prepare themselves for their second pre-season at AFL level.

“We all pushed each other when I was in Perth,” McVee told Melbourne Media.

“And when I was back home in Geraldton, I was also doing a fair bit of other work with my Pop as well.

“Last year, I didn’t really know what to expect [heading into pre-season], but this year I feel way fitter and stronger, so it’s been great.”

With this level of dedication to his craft, it’s no surprise that, just 15 months on from joining the club, McVee had his first taste of senior footy last Friday, lining up in the team’s match simulation against St Kilda.

The 19-year-old featured in the club’s 38-player squad and held his own amongst a plethora of seasoned stars.

Working through defence, McVee demonstrated strength through his run-and-carry, with his silky skills also on display.

“It was definitely one to remember,” McVee said.

“It was good fun, and all of the backline group are pretty tight, so I felt like I fit in.

“We all make each other better and obviously there’s a lot of experience down there, so learning off Rick (Jake Lever), (Harrison) Petty and Mayzy (Steven May) is great.”