MELBOURNE has entered its bye round sitting sixth on the ladder and in a position to attack the second half of the season with a hopeful finals berth on the horizon.
Prior to 2026, many naysayers believed that the Dees wouldn’t enter the top 10 having been through a myriad of changes over the off-season.
However, new coach Steven King has seemed to breathe new life into the side, with Melbourne’s young cohort of players embracing the changes both on and off the field.
Off the back of a solid display against finals contenders Adelaide, let’s take a look at the 10 Demons who entered Round 15 having played under 50 games.
PADDY CROSS
Cross could be considered the surprise performer of Melbourne’s 2026. Arriving just days before Round 1, the 23-year-old has slotted into the side’s best 23 with ease.
Since his debut game in Round 3, excluding a slight intermission due to injury, Cross has been crucial across nine games, kicking six goals and standing up in important moments.
Having just signed on for a further year, his immediate impact at AFL level has been rewarded by the club, the AFL list manager Tim Lamb praising his pressure, versatility and willingness to play his role.
JOEL FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald has only been an AFL player for a month, arriving at the club on March 26 via pick No.16 in the 2026 Telstra AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
Having dominated at VFL level prior to getting drafted, it wasn’t long before the 23-year-old earned a call-up to the top level.
While still only two games into his career, Fitzgerald has shown he can perform on the MCG stage, among Melbourne's best in the side’s Round 14 win over Essendon, amassing 26 disposals and five clearances in a solid career debut.
BLAKE HOWES
Howes has been ticking away at his defensive craft for a few years now, with glimpses of consistent footy in the senior side, but it’s this season that has seen him flourish off half back.
Howes might fly under the radar when it comes to external praise, but the Demon has earned his stripes inside the four walls of the club, maintaining his position in the AFL team for the duration of 2026.
He is currently averaging career-high numbers in multiple areas, most notably with 15 disposals and five marks.
MATT JEFFERSON
As a key forward, Jefferson has been steadily working on his craft inside 50 over the past four seasons, earning his AFL debut last year.
Since then, Jefferson has been given the opportunity to hit some consistency at the top level, putting together eight games of AFL in 2026.
His marking prowess is key to his game which fans have seen glimpses of this season, averaging three marks and totaling nine goals.
LUKER KENTFIELD
Another key forward who has been given the opportunity at AFL level, Kentfield earned his debut in Round 13, standing strong on the King’s Birthday stage.
The call up came after a number of standout displays in the VFL, where the tall Demon impressed in front of goals and also provided a back-up option in the ruck.
Still only 20 years old, he’s a hard-working player who was rewarded for his growth this past year by signing on with the Dees for a further season, a testament to where the club sees him for the future of the red and blue.
HARVEY LANGFORD
It’s hard to go past Langford when looking to the young stars shining in Melbourne’s 23. In what is just his second season at the top level, the 20-year-old has shone along the team’s wing.
Langford has been highlighted for his tangible impact inside 50, kicking 18 goals across 15 games, but it’s also his defensive work that has garnered praise, something that the Demon had focused on in the pre-season.
He currently sits at an average of 16 disposals and one goal a game, and at just 20 years old, he’s no doubt got a long career ahead of him.
KOLTYN THOLSTRUP
In a positional change that has given his football form new life, Tholstrup is thriving in 2026. Welcomed into the backline this season, the former forward/midfielder has become the premier tagger in Melbourne’s side, taking on the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Caleb Serong.
In addition to his tagging duties, Tholstrup has also provided excitement off half back, bringing the explosive energy he was known for in the forward half, into the backline.
In his third season, Tholstrup hasn’t missed a game, playing all 15 matches to date. Prior to this year, he had featured in the senior side on 19 occasions across 2024 and 2025.
HARRY SHARP
Sharp is another Demon who seems to have found his flow this year. Prior to arriving at the Dees at the end of 2024, the 23-year-old had played just 16 games at Brisbane across four seasons.
Last year, he featured in 18 games for the red and blue, but 11 of those he was subbed on or off. This year, Sharp has not only shaken off the ‘sub’ title, but has made sure his impact has been felt.
His speed and endurance have been a major part of Melbourne’s new fast footy game plan, featuring in all 15 matches of 2026, kicking 18 goals and averaging a career-high 14 disposals.
DANIEL TURNER
At the end of 2025, Turner signed a contract to remain at Melbourne until 2030. Since then, he’s well and truly put his name up in lights, showing just how important he is for Melbourne’s future.
While he’s made his gradual rise to form across both the forward and back line, this season, the 24-year-old has solidified himself as one of the best key defenders in the league.
He is averaging career-high numbers across the board, most importantly averaging over six intercepts a game.
CALEB WINDSOR
2026 has seen Windsor take on further responsibility in the midfield, his rapid skills a point of difference through the centre of the ground.
Formerly working across half back, his explosive running ability has slotted in well to Melbourne’s new fast footy and despite being hit with injury, the 21-year-old has continued to embrace his role in the midfield.
He currently averages career-high numbers across the stats sheet including 16 disposals, three tackles and close to four score involvements.
