Picture this. It’s a Saturday at the MCG and 10-year-old Jai Culley is decked out in red and blue, watching the Demons play at the ‘G, cheering them on alongside his family.  

12 years on, that same Jai Culley has officially become a Melbourne player, signing to the club he grew up supporting.

He formally joined the Dees on Monday in a whirlwind 24 hours where he was picked up via the pre-season supplemental selection period.

Growing up idolising the likes of Max Gawn and Jack Viney, joining the red and blue was a particularly special experience.

“I grew up going every week to the ‘G,” Culley said.

“To be in these colours and hopefully one day be on the other side of the fence, playing on the ‘G…it means a lot.

“My grandpa, my great grandpa, they were all massive Dees fan. Dad is following in their footsteps and to see his son in the Dees colours, it's meant a lot to my family.

“I'm playing for him and my family.”

The club was approved to add an additional player – Culley – to its list, following a season-ending ACL injury to Andy Moniz-Wakefield.

Moniz-Wakefield, who sustained the injury in Melbourne’s match simulation against North Melbourne on Saturday, was moved to the inactive list on Monday, creating an opportunity for Culley.

After spending pre-season training with the Dees as a Casey VFL-listed player, Culley proved his strength and earned himself this final list spot.  
 
“It’s been a big week,” Culley said.

“It was a bit of a whirlwind, rollercoaster and I’m just glad I'm finally here.”

Culley’s journey through the AFL has been a unique one.

It first started in 2022 when he was signed by West Coast during the Mid-Season Draft at pick No.1.

In his debut season he played four games, followed by an impressive showing in Round 6 of 2023 that saw him collect a Rising Star nomination.

His resilience was tested two weeks later when he devastatingly ruptured his ACL, puting a 12 month pause on his footy journey.

At the end of the 2024 season, he was delisted by West Coast, but his hope of further AFL did not sway, making the move to Melbourne to continue his pursuits.

“I got delisted from West Coast and It was a bit of a disappointing time,” Culley said.

“But one door closes, another opens, and I knew I had enough good footy left in me to play and get back to the level.

“I always had that drive and determination that kept me in a good space.

“And then fortunately, the door opened up here at the Dees and I couldn't be more grateful.”

While officially signing on Monday, it’s been a quick and seamless transition for Culley having spent the past few months on the track with his new teammates.

“It's been a really good experience,” Culley said.

“I signed at Casey, and I got to train with the boys and get to know them.

“It’s sort of made this process a little bit easier coming in.

“I’ve got to know the boys on a deeper level and now I’m looking forward to what's ahead this year.”

A powerful midfielder who has the ability to hit the scoreboard, the 22-year-old is eager to use this opportunity to hone in and focus on what he knows best.

“For me it's just going after my strengths and working on them,” Culley said.

“I try to use my size and my strength around the contest and then, I’ll focus on how to use the ball really well when I have it.

“[I want] to try and play to my strengths and work on the things I need to work on during the week, so that it hopefully comes out on game day.”