By Lynda Carroll
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Melbourne Football Club had a radio show that undoubtedly dominated the airwaves. Fittingly – if not imaginatively - known as ‘Demon Radio’, its introductory jingle included the line ‘It’s history in the making’.
Now, two decades later, every week that passes sees further history being made. Having returned to the MCG to play after an unfathomable gap in proceedings in 2020, Melbourne has won eight games in a row to start the season. That is on the same level as the start of the 1937 season – well on the way to the triple treat of 1939, 1940 and 1941 flags – which resulted in second place at the end of the home and away season, before two losses in finals. It was invaluable experience for the team learning to ‘play like Demons’, putting coach ‘Checker’ Hughes’ mantra into solid reality. The likes of Ron Baggott, Allan La Fontaine, Wally Lock, Jack Mueller and Norm Smith – along with Percy Beames, a few seasons older in experience – were growing together, forging something special for the future and the Melbourne Football Club story.
Not far removed from 2021 and 1937 is the start to the season in 1955, which went on to be the first of the Demons’ second hattrick of premierships. This ten-game winning streak began with victory over St Kilda in Round 1, and finished with a three point loss to Collingwood.
These, of course, are winning streaks to start the season. In the assembly of overall winning runs, the nineteen games from Round 15, 1955 to Round 13, 1956 stands head and shoulders above the rest. But, a little further behind, and showing the special nature of what is happening now, is the ten-game winning streak (so far) from Round 17, 2020 to Round 8, 2021.
Numbers, of course, can only tell part of the story. For those in the stands, the sound of the game is gathering strength every week. There’s nothing like an enthusiastic crowd, after all. While the Swans were more than worthy adversaries in Round 8, leading at the end of the first quarter and fighting back late in the game, their supporters were muted in comparison to the cacophony of Melbourne people celebrating after every goal, hard won in a close game. Tom McDonald with four goals, and Ben Brown with three, were the major contributors to the cause, standing tall in all senses of the word. Down the other end of the ground, May also had a huge impact, holding the much feared Buddy Franklin goalless in a superb negating display.
Despite the damp conditions, disposals were no problems for many, including Oliver (35) and Petracca (28), in what is becoming a happily familiar trend. New to the theme were Harmes, returning after a wrist injury with 31 disposals, and youngster James Jordon – who has played in every victory this season to start his AFL career on an amazing note – making an impact with 23 disposals. His efforts were fittingly recognised with the round’s Rising Star nomination.
In a way, this nomination extends further, higher and wider than just one player. Like the team’s new No. 23, the entire red and blue community is rising to the occasion and opportunity presented by 2021. Even while the commentators wait excitedly for a loss, and even while we hold our breath at single digit margins, the first two months of 2021 will long stand out as a time of achievement and enjoyment. From coach Simon Goodwin, taking to the boundary line in the style of coaches past, to the effervescent Demon Army, red and blue waves in the stands; from old VFL scarves with the royal blue blaring through to small supporters thinking this is how it will always be – we are all delighting in the Demons. Some of us who recall may even be humming a short-lived, imperfect jingle that really says it all: ‘It’s history in the making’! Yes, indeed – it is.
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Melbourne Football Club had a radio show that undoubtedly dominated the airwaves. Fittingly – if not imaginatively - known as ‘Demon Radio’, its introductory jingle included the line ‘It’s history in the making’.
Now, two decades later, every week that passes sees further history being made. Having returned to the MCG to play after an unfathomable gap in proceedings in 2020, Melbourne has won eight games in a row to start the season. That is on the same level as the start of the 1937 season – well on the way to the triple treat of 1939, 1940 and 1941 flags – which resulted in second place at the end of the home and away season, before two losses in finals. It was invaluable experience for the team learning to ‘play like Demons’, putting coach ‘Checker’ Hughes’ mantra into solid reality. The likes of Ron Baggott, Allan La Fontaine, Wally Lock, Jack Mueller and Norm Smith – along with Percy Beames, a few seasons older in experience – were growing together, forging something special for the future and the Melbourne Football Club story.
Not far removed from 2021 and 1937 is the start to the season in 1955, which went on to be the first of the Demons’ second hattrick of premierships. This ten-game winning streak began with victory over St Kilda in Round 1, and finished with a three point loss to Collingwood.
These, of course, are winning streaks to start the season. In the assembly of overall winning runs, the nineteen games from Round 15, 1955 to Round 13, 1956 stands head and shoulders above the rest. But, a little further behind, and showing the special nature of what is happening now, is the ten-game winning streak (so far) from Round 17, 2020 to Round 8, 2021.
Numbers, of course, can only tell part of the story. For those in the stands, the sound of the game is gathering strength every week. There’s nothing like an enthusiastic crowd, after all. While the Swans were more than worthy adversaries in Round 8, leading at the end of the first quarter and fighting back late in the game, their supporters were muted in comparison to the cacophony of Melbourne people celebrating after every goal, hard won in a close game. Tom McDonald with four goals, and Ben Brown with three, were the major contributors to the cause, standing tall in all senses of the word. Down the other end of the ground, May also had a huge impact, holding the much feared Buddy Franklin goalless in a superb negating display.
Despite the damp conditions, disposals were no problems for many, including Oliver (35) and Petracca (28), in what is becoming a happily familiar trend. New to the theme were Harmes, returning after a wrist injury with 31 disposals, and youngster James Jordon – who has played in every victory this season to start his AFL career on an amazing note – making an impact with 23 disposals. His efforts were fittingly recognised with the round’s Rising Star nomination.
In a way, this nomination extends further, higher and wider than just one player. Like the team’s new No. 23, the entire red and blue community is rising to the occasion and opportunity presented by 2021. Even while the commentators wait excitedly for a loss, and even while we hold our breath at single digit margins, the first two months of 2021 will long stand out as a time of achievement and enjoyment. From coach Simon Goodwin, taking to the boundary line in the style of coaches past, to the effervescent Demon Army, red and blue waves in the stands; from old VFL scarves with the royal blue blaring through to small supporters thinking this is how it will always be – we are all delighting in the Demons. Some of us who recall may even be humming a short-lived, imperfect jingle that really says it all: ‘It’s history in the making’! Yes, indeed – it is.
