MELBOURNE is honouring its year in the AFL, looking back on the season that was and crowning its Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott trophy winner.

Throughout the evening, 11 awards were handed out, with a number of Demons celebrated for making an impact in 2024.

Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy | Max Gawn
Second Place | 405 votes

Melbourne’s skipper produced an All-Australian campaign in 2024, his runner-up finish of 405 votes the cherry on top of an impressive individual season.

Despite missing two matches due to injury, the star ruck averaged 19.1 disposals, 34 hitouts and five clearances a game.

In a year that saw Melbourne face challenges on-field, Gawn stood tall as captain, leading by example on-field and pushing himself to new heights under pressure.

While he may have spent less time inside 50 and more time within the sole ruck role, he still managed to kick 11 goals and average five score involvements.

Ron Barassi Senior Memorial Trophy | Alex Neal-Bullen
Third Place | 402 votes

A consistent contributor within the Melbourne side for quite some time now, Alex Neal-Bullen pushed his game to new levels in 2024, his composure and determination a clear standout.

A player who often flies under the radar externally, the 28-year-old was the leading tackle-getter for the Dees this season, averaging 5.1 a game. His courage and intent across the ground showed how important his on-field leadership is and why he finished with 402 votes during tonight’s count.  

Ivor-Warne Smith Memorial Trophy | Kysaiah Pickett
Fourth Place |369 votes

Finishing the night in fourth place with 369 votes is Kysaiah Pickett, who embraced a number of roles in 2024.

Pickett was at his usual best inside 50, exciting Dees fans with curling goals and explosive marks. He finished the season with 36 majors across his 21 games, while also averaging close to 13 disposals and 5.5 score involvements.

In addition to his dangerous goal sense, the 23-year-old spent time in the midfield, his tenacity making him the perfect candidate for contest work. 

Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy | Ed Langdon
Fifth Place | 352 votes

In one of his best seasons to date, Langdon developed his game in a new way, more relentless on-field and leading the team like we’ve never seen before.

The winger kicked nine goals and averaged 20 disposals across his 22 games. His gut running, competitiveness and ability to show character in challenging games held him in good stead as one of Melbourne’s top contributors for the year.  

Ron Barassi Jnr Memorial Trophy | Jake Melksham
Leadership Award

The first award of the night is the Ron Barassi Jnr Memorial Trophy in which a Demon is recognised for their leadership both on and off the field, with Jake Melksham taking the honours.

Despite having spent more than half the year in the rehab group with a knee injury, Melksham remained an incredible support for his teammates from the sidelines.

His coaching and encouragement of the forward line was important and became even more impactful when he returned to the field during Round 17. 

Norm Smith Memorial Trophy | Trent Rivers
Coaches Award

This year, the coaches showed their trust in Trent Rivers and his ability to play his role no matter where he was on the ground.

The defender turned midfielder flourished in the back half of the season when tasked with taking on a more contested position in the absence of Christian Petracca.

One of his best games of the year came in Round 18 against Essendon where he had 29 disposals, eight clearances and eight marks. This commitment to performing in his role has earned him the Coaches Award for 2024.

Harold Ball Memorial Trophy | Caleb Windsor
Best Young Player

In not only his first season at the Dees, but his first season of AFL, Caleb Windsor had a quick ascension to stardom. He debuted in the Opening Round and went from strength to strength with each game after.

Often seen running down the wing, his speed and agility a spectacle, the youngster averaged close to 15 disposals and kicked eight goals.

While his season disappointingly ended in injury, Windsor has well and truly won the love of the Melbourne faithful with his poise and talent.

James McDonald Trophy | Ed Langdon
TRUE Player

Every year, a Demon is acknowledged for displaying the club’s values of trust, respect, unity and excellence and none has done so more this year than Ed Langdon.

Not only has the winger put together some of his best football, but he’s become an unassuming leader among the playing group, empowering those working alongside him and supporting the younger generation of Dees coming up the ranks.

Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy | Matthew Jefferson
Best VFL Player

In his 17 games for the Casey Demons, Matthew Jefferson discovered his top footy, shining in his second year at the Dees.

The young forward kicked 29 goals including a particularly memorable display during Round 9 in which he booted a whopping five goals, proving his talent inside 50 and putting his name in the mix for senior footy.

Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy | Ben Brown
Club Ambassador
This award is a testament to Ben Brown and his influence on Melbourne and the wider community, named as the Club Ambassador for the fourth consecutive year.

The Club Ambassador trophy is given to the individual who makes a meaningful impact on not just those within the football world but on a broader landscape too, Brown epitomising this day in, day out.

The retiring Demon leaves a lasting imprint on the people he works with including a number of not-for-profit organisations. He continues to keep a close connection to the club’s AFLW program, remaining in his development coaching role this season.