Kye Decalse has become the latest Werribee player to graduate to game’s top level after he was selected by Melbourne with pick 15 in the 2021 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The 24 year-old had been on the radar of the Demon’s since earlier this year when he spent a week training with the club in the pre-season.

With two picks in Wednesday night’s draft the current league leaders used their first selection to snare Declase who was enjoying his best season in the VFL.

The 195cm utility had per game averages of 22.2 disposals including 16 kicks, 7.4 marks and almost 5 inside 50s, while also adding six goals across Werribee’s first five matches.

Declase mainly appeared on the wing in 2021, but he and fellow draftee Daniel Turner are expected to provide instant depth to Melbourne’s backline stocks with Marty Hore and Aaron Nietschke inactive with season-ending ACL injuries.

Declase played 35 games and kicked 42 goals in three seasons at Avalon Airport Oval after joining the Big W in 2018 following two years and 11 matches with the Northern Blues.