In the last year before the pre-season draft was introduced Melbourne joined an unprecedented raid on the reigning Claremont WAFL premiership side. Claremont players went at 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12. Three more were selected amongst the remaining picks.
The 1991 draft was a largely unsuccessful one for the Demons with only Darren Kowal playing more than 50 games, while both Jason Norrish and Phil Gilbert found themselves at Fremantle in time for their inaugural season. However both Marcus Seecamp (89 games) and Anthony McDonald (104 games) who were drafted elsewhere, would eventually join the club and play a key role in the late 90s.
1991 Mid-Season Draft
| Selection | Player | From | Games |
| 9 | Grant Williams | Sandy Bay | 4 |
| 22 | Stephen Wearne | Sandringham | 3 |
Pre-Draft Trades
Tony Campbell to Footscray for pick 31
Ricky Jackson to Footscray for pick 19
Steve O'Dwyer and pick 49 (Todd Hawes) to Richmond for selection 3 and Michael Pickering
Earl Spalding to Carlton for selection 5
Rod Owen to Brisbane Bears for selection 40
1991 AFL National Draft
| Selection | Player | From | Games |
| 3 | Darren Kowal | Claremont | 104 |
| 5 | Jason Norrish | Claremont | 20 |
| 10 | Andrew Lamprill | Hobart | 33 |
| 19 | Phil Gilbert | Claremont | 25 |
| 23 | Matthew Mackay | Hawthorn | 0 |
| 31 | Haydon Kilmartin | North Hobart | 0 |
| 32 | Micah Berry | Melbourne Grammar | 0 |
| 36 | Jason Dullard | Essendon | 0 |
| 40 | Nick White | Richmond | 0 |
1992 Pre-Season Draft
| Selection | Player | From | Games |
| 11 | Wayne Henwood | Sydney | 1 |
| 25 | Andy Goodwin | Richmond | 17 |
| 39 | Ben Judd | Sturt | 0 |
| 50 | Cristian O'Brien | Melbourne | 0 |
Notes
Spalding may have been swapped to Carlton for the first and third round picks.