MELBOURNE has put a full stop on its 2024 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, finishing Deadline Day with two additions to its list and two picks inside the top 10 at the upcoming draft.
The Demons brought in pick nine to bolster its draft hand, acquiring the coveted position and a future third round selection from the Bombers in exchange for a suite of draft picks.
"One of our objectives was to bring in another pick in the first round of this draft, to get as high as we can to couple that with pick five," AFL List Manager Tim Lamb said.
"We've done that successfully over a number of years, to group young talent together so they grow together in our program and become really close.
"We haven't settled on a player or a type yet, but it's just a really, really talented group of players at that area of the draft."
Melbourne farewelled premiership Demon Alex Neal-Bullen, with the returning picks assisting in the procurement of pick nine.
"What a wonderful servant Alex is," Lamb said.
"Ten years on the list, premiership player, a life member, a great leader."
Brisbane speedster Harry Sharp will pull on the red and blue next year, with the 21-year-old running machine adding to the club’s wing and half-forward stocks.
Sharp, who currently holds the AFL Draft Combine record for the 2km time trial, debuted for the Lions as an 18-year-old schoolboy and was named as an emergency for this year’s Grand Final.
With 16 AFL games across four seasons to his name, Sharp averaged a touch over 19 disposals per game in the VFL this season while recording a career-best 25 touches against the Giants in Round 20 this year.
"We think he can come in and play on the wing or high half forward. And that'll give Goodwin the coaches opportunity to do some things with some other players," Lamb said.
"He had a terrific season in the VFL, especially late in the year.
"He was quite dominant at that level and was scoring heavily and played a really crucial role in the Lions VFL team that made it all the way through to the prelim as well."
Veteran ruckman Tom Campbell joins Sharp as a new arrival at the Demons, fresh off a Best-and-Fairest-winning campaign with Sandringham in the VFL.
The experienced former Bulldog, Kangaroo and Saint joined the Demons as a free agent and will provide key ruck depth and leadership to assist Max Gawn and young prospect Will Verrall.
"We need someone who can really play a role," Lamb said.
"Obviously we've got Max, who's a seven time all Australian and our captain and the number one ruck in the game.
"We needed someone, if Max needed to miss a week or two, that someone who could really come in and provide a great contest."
In
Pick 9
2025 Third Round Selection (Ess)
Harry Sharp
Tom Campbell
Out
2024 Picks 40, 54, 65
2025 First Round Pick
Alex Neal-Bullen
2024 Telstra AFL Draft Hand
Selections 5, 9
