The Melbourne Demons deploy the iconic AFL flag

As spectators returned to the MCG, Melbourne raised their first premiership banner since 1964 in joyful scenes before the AFL grand-final rematch.

The Demons were finally free to celebrate with fans on Wednesday night after ending their 57-year championship drought in Perth in September while the city of Melbourne was under lockdown.

During their outstanding 2021 campaign, Melbourne only played a couple of games in front of their home crowd at the MCG.

Hassa Mann, Greg Wells, Stan Alves, Garry Lyon, Todd Viney, David Neitz, and newly retired Nathan Jones were among the Demons icons who helped raise the flag.

But it was AFL icon Ron Barassi, Melbourne’s most recent premiership captain until Max Gawn took over last year, who earned the loudest applause.

Before the luminaries entered the arena, Melbourne president Kate Roffey offered a rousing statement.

Roffey continued, “I hope this is the first of many (premierships) and that we are on the way to long-term success.”

“By the time we hoist our next flag, I’m very confident I’ll still be alive.”

Melbourne had intended to put on a half-time fireworks show, but it was canceled “due to circumstances beyond our control.”

The AFL is looking for an attendance of around 80,000 for the first grand-final rematch in round one since 2009, but it appears that number will be missed.

The AFL season has historically begun with a match between Richmond and Carlton, but even new Blues coach Michael Voss has admitted that the reigning premiers should be rewarded early in the year.

The Blues and Tigers will continue to play on Thursday nights, but the AFL has moved the Demons-Bulldogs match to an odd Wednesday night time frame.

“I’d want to preserve our Thursday night, whatever happens,” Voss said on Wednesday, “but I must confess, being able, to begin with the grand final, whether it’s just the premiers or the game itself, I believe there’s something nice in it and it’s something we should look at in the schedule.”

“However, I’ll be selfish and say I’d like to keep the Thursday night game as well.”