Home » AFL Footy News » ‘Selflessness of the group’ allows Melbourne to storm into its first grand final in 21 years
‘Selflessness of the group’ allows Melbourne to storm into its first grand final in 21 years
Much of Melbourne’s success this year has been attributed to a handful of stars who dominated highlight reels and headlines as they stormed into their first AFL grand final in 21 years.
Key points:
Senior Dees say winning is a team effort, not the work of individual star
The abundance of talent at the Demons was showcased at the Brownlow Medal count
Young Dogs are leaning on older players Western Bulldogs set sights on second flag in five years
But Christian Petracca, one of those stars, has lauded the performances of some of the side’s less-heralded players as the catalyst behind the team’s remarkable year.
Melbourne has missed finals every year since it was humiliated by West Coast in the 2018 preliminary final at Perth Stadium, but rebounded this season to claim the minor premiership.
“We made a commitment over the break, over the off-season, to come back and to put words into actions, and to fulfil that and to be here is pretty surreal, just to see how quickly we can turn it around,” Petracca said.
James Harmes (left) of the Demons has been lauded by Christian Petracca.(
AAP: Scott Barbour
)
“I’m pretty fortunate in my position, you know, I get to sort of play the way I want to play, and there are so many guys who allow me to play that way … Tom Sparrow, James Harmes and guys like that.
It was a sentiment echoed by fellow midfielder Angus Brayshaw, who has played in 61 wins for Melbourne in his seven-year career, with nearly a third of those coming this season alone.
“It’s easy to sacrifice [individual recognition] when we can tangibly see the results, we’re winning more games, people are buying into the team concept,” he said.
“It’s very easy to go that extra mile, do something extra for your mate, when everyone else is doing it and we’re winning.
“I’m enjoying watching people play well and succeed.
“It doesn’t matter so much as individuals, how individuals are playing, as opposed to how the team goes.
“It’s probably a mindset shift over the last couple of years that has finally got the weight of numbers on board, and I think you’re seeing the benefits of that.”
Brownlow Medal success
The abundance of talent in the Demons midfield was showcased on Brownlow Medal night, with the club poling 96 total votes, the most in the competition, including 31 for Clayton Oliver and 23 for Petracca.
Captain Max Gawn also collected 16 votes.
Petracca said he had also taken pleasure watching teammates develop.
“I’ve loved watching Clayton Oliver develop this year as a person, more off the field than on the field, and what he’s done and how much it made him a better player on the field. And as a friend of his, I’m really proud,” he said.
Dogs not looking back to 2016
The Western Bulldogs go into Saturday’s grand final with their sights set on a second flag in six years, once again doing it from outside the top four.
They still have a strong cohort of players who featured in the 2016 win over Sydney, with nine taking the field in the Bulldogs’ big preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.
But midfielder Lachie Hunter does not believe that experience will give them much of an advantage.
“It gives you a little bit of comfort, you know what’s coming, but at the same time, most of the elements are different,” he said.
“So I suppose that little bit of experience might give you that little bit of comfort, but that’s about it.”
Lachie Hunter says younger players are leaning on the experience of the older Dogs.(
AAP: Albert Perez
)
Hunter said the younger players who were not at the club in 2016 had leant on senior members of the side.
“You get a few questions from the younger boys who haven’t haven’t been there before. But they’re just enjoying the experience for themselves as well. It’s all fresh, it’s all new,” he said.
One player who has not been overawed by the Bulldogs’ run to the grand final is Bailey Smith.
The 20-year old has booted eight goals in his three finals appearances this season while also collecting more than 20 disposals per game.
“It can be incredibly daunting as a 20-year-old coming into these kind of games, and you just probably hoping to blend in and be how you were through the year,” he said.
“But he seems to have taken his game to new levels, and in those moments when we’ve needed a match winner, he’s kind of bobbed up, which is pretty impressive for a 20-year old.
