I cannot believe it jubilant Demon fans celebrate the end of 57-year premiership drought

After 57 years walking through the desert, Melbourne’s long-suffering fanbase are finally able to sip from the cup of premiership glory.

It wasn’t at the MCG but that didn’t matter for the hearts beating true for the red and the blue, as the Demons won their first grand final since 1954 by 74 points.

“This is just magnificent, I cannot believe it. I don’t know when I’ll get to bed tonight,” said 60-year-old Suzzane Considine from the Demon Army cheer squad, holding back tears.

Demons cheer squad member Suzanne Considine celebrates her team’s win while watching at home.Credit:Penny Stephens

“Every year you front up at pre-season and you get caught up in the hype. You hope to win round one. This year they did that but we thought ‘you’re going to be the same old Melbourne’. But they weren’t.”

Another cheer squad member, Angus McKean, said he was “truly ecstatic” in the last quarter after becoming a little nervous when the Bulldogs came back strongly in the second quarter.

“I’m ready to crack the cheese boards and champagne,” the 19-year-old said.

“Every [school] footy colours day I was petty ashamed to wear a Melbourne top because we’d win one game a year or two.

“I’m planning to not be able to get out of bed tomorrow, if you can put that in words that don’t make me seem like an alcoholic.”

Demons fans Susan, Andrew,Taylah, Jack and Chris Monro.Credit:Jason South

Andrew Monro, 50, was a whirlwind of emotions as his team finally achieved something he had waited for his whole life.

“I’m in disarray to be honest,” the Demon tragic said.

“We were going to every game and getting done by 40, 50, 60 points. To finally watch the club turn it around, they’re showing their supporters this stuff.

“The whole [Norm Smith] curse thing, everything Melbourne touched was tarnished and never worked out. Things have turned, big time.”

It was just about the perfect start for a nervous supporter group. The Demons came out hot in the first quarter, piling on four goals to one in a dominant first quarter.

“I am daring to dream, they’ve got a buffer but it can be lost really quickly too,” said Suzzane at quarter time, rapt at her team’s good start.

In the second term, the Bulldogs roared back with an even better six-goal quarter of their own. Marcus Bontempelli led the way with two goals, as the Demons struggled for answers.

Half time arrived just in time for the Dees, their fanbase trusting that this team is good enough to come back.

“I’m sure they’ll get a stern talking to at half time and come out better,” said Andrew.

Momentum stayed with the Dogs in the third quarter for another two goals, before Melbourne stormed back with six of their own. Christian Petracca’s goal from the boundary a highlight.

At her house in Briar Hill, Suzzane was thumping the coffee table. Her husband, John, another Dees fan, had left the house, unable to take the tension. A margin of 24 points looked comfortable but the Demons have been burnt before.

They needn’t have worried. The final quarter was a procession, as the Demons piled on nine goals to put the margin well beyond doubt long before the final siren.

It’s a small mercy for a fanbase that has waited so long for a flag.

“Even though it’s in a different state, we’re going to party like it’s at the MCG,” said Angus.

Tom Cowie is a senior journalist at The Sunday Age. You can contact him at tom.cowie@theage.com.au or via secure email tomcowie@protonmail.comConnect via Twitter or email.

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