30/08/2026
What a ride.
As the final siren drew our 2026 season to an end, like many Demons fans, I was absolutely gutted and frustrated that we crumbled after a red-hot start in a final again - it was a script thatβs become all too familiar.
But letβs be honest, losing several key cogs in the last month and coughing up last week was the real hammer blow. Footy has been cruel to us like that late in seasons and last night was a bridge too far.
Wake up today, take a step back to look at things holistically and Iβm immensely proud of the progress weβve made under Steven King in his first season at the helm.
His ability to improve almost every single player on our list is nothing short of remarkable. Add to that our explosive, βfun and dangerousβ style - it was a breath of fresh air after sitting through the previous stale method for years.
15 wins. Double the amount we secured in 2024 and 2025 combined. Big scalps like Hawks twice, Brisbane and Fremantle were signs that this team can compete with the best.
Two top 10 draft picks to take to the draft, some quality players to bring in via the trade period and an array of key players to come back and get healthy again. Weβre in a bloody good spot.
However, we cannot lose sight of the fact weβve now lost 5 finals in a row (all at the βG) since 2021. Itβs incredibly poor. We must be ruthless and put that right next year. Also, we have a real problem against sides who play an uncontested mark game and how we defend transition in general needs serious attention. Our coaches need to get to work during the off-season and find ways to improve in this area.
Melbourne will adapt and continue to evolve. We should all have full faith in what Kingy is building.
2026 laid the foundation. 2027 is where the real story begins.
Our supporters believe again.
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