Melbourne forward Alex Neal-Bullen says the Demons are aiming to create an AFL dynasty in the mould of the great Brisbane Lions, Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond teams.
The Demons broke their 57-year flag drought with a 74-point flogging of the Western Bulldogs in the 2021 grand final in Perth.
Neal-Bullen insists Melbourne remain as hungry as ever for flag success, and they are determined to become the next great AFL team.
Brisbane won three consecutive flags from 2001-03, Geelong won in 2007, 2009 and 2011, Hawthorn completed a three-peat from 2013-15, and Richmond triumphed in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Neal-Bullen says Melbourne are intent on creating their own dynasty.
"The language we're using - there's a desire to be a great Melbourne team," Neal-Bullen said.
"That's something we've got front of mind. It's going to be a hard challenge, but it's one we're willing to step in front of.
"There's no way I'm sitting here now having one good season (and being satisfied).
"I'm a competitor. We're all competitors out here. The time in the game is short, you want to make the most of it."
Neal-Bullen said one of the major challenge facing the Demons is they will now be the hunted.
But he's taken inspiration from how the Lions, Cats, Hawks and Tigers handled the challenge during their reigns.
"One thing they all did is they respected the game and how hard it is each year," Neal-Bullen said.
"That's something you have to have a real balance with each season, coming into a new season and understanding everyone is at the start line.
"We are now a team who have had success, so teams will definitely look at coming at us."
Melbourne's slick game plan swung into full effect in the grand final, when they broke the game open with 12 straight goals after trailing by 19 points in the third quarter.
Neal-Bullen said the team wants to get even better this year.
"We feel like we've got a good handle of what we're good at, but we want to take that to another level," he said.
The addition of Luke Dunston, who was delisted by St Kilda despite an impressive end to the 2021 season, has added further depth to Melbourne's midfield.
"I played a lot of footy with him as a junior - we're both from Adelaide - and he's brutal in the contest," Neal-Bullen said.
"We like to think we're branded a contest side and he fits that for us, that model of how we play our footy.
"He's a great pick-up and he's got a great head on his shoulders.
"I think he has a huge leadership capacity and is someone I can't wait to play with this year."
