Melbourne supporters have had a rough couple of years. It’s arguable the pain lasts several decades.
Melbourne are the AFL’s cellar-dwellers having gone 15 years without a grand final, nine years without finals – and most damningly 51 years without the AFL’s grandest prize, the premiership.
Along the way was a whole host of high draft picks gone wrong, a change in coach and game plan so often it almost became an expectation and demoralising losses galore. In a desperate bid to change the culture, they turned to Paul Roos.
Roos is praised for changing the Swans culture, which has led to Sydney becoming a powerhouse of the AFL and winning two premierships in recent times.
I’ve sat through these years, witnessed the defeats, felt the pain and the glimmer of hope Roos bought to this downtrodden club. Yet this game against Brisbane and next week against St Kilda, taken on the feeling of more than a game – it’s season defining for so many reasons.
Melbourne’s coming off a loss to Essendon, in a game best to be forgotten. Melbourne had been instilled as favourites to win for the first time since Jesus’s birth and in many respects it was a game they should have won.
It became another case of could of, should of, would of – with Melbourne’s inaccurate kicking allowing Essendon to claim the four points. Make no mistake, Essendon stuck to their task and did enough to beat Melbourne. It was not pretty by any stretch but you can only beat what is in front of you.
Melbourne currently sits on four wins, equal the amount they had at the same time last season, before the side went on to lose every game.
It was claimed in some corners, that Melbourne had lost all progress in that torrid 10-week stretch. It is clear 2015 Melbourne is better than 2013 or 2014 Melbourne, put aside the fact that in itself that is a low hurdle to jump.
The side have a more sound defence which is complemented by a midfield that is getting slowly better at winning its own ball and two-way running.
There is finally a recognisable game plan.
Highlights of the 2015 season include stirring wins over Richmond and the Bulldogs and a dominant display over the Suns – not to mention the monumental win over Geelong.
However, if Melbourne cannot beat the teams around them, it’s hard to determine whether progress has been made. The Dees will start favourites against the Lions and while the Saints will deservedly start favourites, a win is by all means attainable.
A win against one of the two shows Melbourne is equal to those around it and better than last year. Two wins from two (supporters can dream), means there is definite progress and a team which is coming along nicely for its intended goal of finals in 2016.
If Melbourne does not win any games for the rest of season, Paul Roos’ impact will come into question – and deservedly so.
The supporters need hope, need a glimpse of the future which has been promised time after time. It is time Melbourne delivers on their promises and starts becoming a contender.
And it starts with the next two weeks.
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