Round 20 - St Kilda vs Melbourne
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
The Melbourne Football Club was established in 1858, making it the oldest club in any code of football worldwide. The club's formation stems from a letter written by Tom Wills in 1858, where he advocated for creating a "football club" and a "code of laws" to keep cricketers fit during the winter months.
By 1859, Wills and other founding members had codified "The Rules of the Melbourne Football Club," which became the foundational framework for Australian Rules Football as we know it today. Without Melbourne's pioneering efforts, the sport might not exist or would have developed along entirely different lines.
The club adopted the "Demons" nickname in 1933, replacing their earlier and less intimidating moniker, "Fuchsias." This transformation was inspired by legendary coach Frank "Checker" Hughes, who motivated his players by shouting, "Lift up your heads and play like demons!" The change represented a deliberate cultural shift within the organisation, aiming to instil a more aggressive and determined identity. This rebranding coincided with the club's dominant period from 1933 to 1964, suggesting that the psychological transformation contributed to their on-field success.
The Melbourne Demons have captured 13 VFL/AFL premierships throughout their history, placing them among the league's most successful clubs. Their premiership years are: 1900, 1926, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964, and 2021. The distribution shows distinct eras of dominance, particularly during the 1950s and early 1960s, followed by extended periods of struggle that have shaped the club's narrative of resilience and perseverance.
The 2021 premiership was monumentally significant as it ended a 57-year drought dating back to 1964. Melbourne dominated the Western Bulldogs by 74 points in the Grand Final at Perth's Optus Stadium. The team finished as minor premiers for the first time since 1964 and won their opening nine matches, echoing achievements from their golden era in 1956. Christian Petracca earned the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground, while the emotional presentation of the premiership cup by former captain Garry Lyon to current captain Max Gawn symbolised the culmination of decades of unwavering supporter loyalty.
The period from 1955 to 1960 represents Melbourne's Golden Era, though their broader dominant years stretched from 1933 to 1964. During this golden period, the club secured five premierships and won the McClelland Trophy (awarded to the season's best-performing club) in 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960. Under coach Norm Smith, the team was renowned for its innovative tactics, disciplined approach, and quick play-on style that set benchmarks for modern football. This era established the club's reputation for tactical innovation and team cohesion.
Melbourne's Hall of Fame Legends include Ron Barassi, Donald Cordner, Norm Smith, Ian Ridley, Ivor Warne-Smith, Jim Stynes, and Jack Mueller. Norm Smith, known as the "Red Fox," coached the team to six premierships and pioneered innovative coaching methods. Ron Barassi played 204 games and was instrumental in six premiership teams before returning as coach and implementing the "Irish Experiment" that brought Jim Stynes to the club. Stynes himself became a transformative figure, winning the 1991 Brownlow Medal and later serving as club president while establishing community foundations that continue his legacy of social impact.
The Melbourne Demons are based at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where they have played home games since 1859. The MCG, established in 1853, is recognised as the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and is often called the "beating heart" of Melbourne and the "home of Australian football." This deep connection to such a historically significant venue intrinsically links the Demons to Melbourne's sporting and cultural identity, creating a symbiotic relationship where supporting the club means embracing the heritage of Australian sport itself.
Melbourne's iconic colours are navy blue and red, worn since the club's early days, with both colours appearing in practice matches as early as 1859. The distinctive red V-shaped yoke on a navy background was adopted in 1935 and has remained remarkably consistent.
Melbourne's most significant rivalry is with Collingwood, evidenced by their worst head-to-head record against any opponent, winning only 85 of 246 official encounters. Despite this poor overall record, Melbourne has a strong finals record against Collingwood, winning 16 of 23 finals matches. Other notable rivals include Richmond, St Kilda, and historically Carlton, with these clubs forming part of Melbourne's traditional "Big 4" rivalries. The 1958 Grand Final loss to Collingwood remains a particularly painful memory, preventing Melbourne from achieving six consecutive premierships.
The Demon Army is Melbourne's official cheer squad, consisting of the club's most dedicated and passionate supporters. They gather behind the goals at every match, providing vocal support and contributing through fundraising efforts and player sponsorships.
You'll find all of the available Melbourne Demon's tickets for upcoming shows at the top of this page. If you're a Melbourne Demons fan, you'll want to save this page link, as it is continually updated with the latest tickets and games at the best prices, all backed with a 100% guarantee. It's the reason why so many people turn to Queen of Tickets for their AFL tickets every season.
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