Melbourne have unfurled their first premiership flag since 1964 in joyous scenes ahead of the AFL grand-final rematch as crowds returned to the MCG.
After breaking their 57-year title drought in Perth last September when the city of Melbourne was in lockdown, the Demons were finally able to celebrate with supporters on Wednesday night.
Melbourne only played a handful of games before fans in the stands at their MCG base during their superb 2021 campaign.
Demons legends Hassa Mann, Greg Wells, Stan Alves, Garry Lyon, Todd Viney, games record-holder David Neitz and recently retired Nathan Jones all took part in hoisting the flag.
But the man who received the biggest roar was AFL legend Ron Barassi, Melbourne's most recent premiership captain until Max Gawn took that honour from him last year.
Melbourne president Kate Roffey gave a stirring speech before the legends entered the arena.
"I hope this is the first of many (premierships) and we are set up for a period of sustained success," Roffey said.
"I'm pretty sure I'll be alive by the time we raise our next flag."
Melbourne had planned to conduct a fireworks spectacle at half-time, but "due to circumstances outside of our control" the display was cancelled.
The AFL is hoping for a crowd of about 80,000 for the first grand-final rematch in round-one since 2009, but looks likely to fall short of that mark.
Richmond and Carlton have traditionally been the opening encounter of the AFL season, but even new Blues coach Michael Voss has conceded the reigning premiers should be rewarded early in the year.
The Blues and Tigers will still play their regular Thursday night game, with the AFL moving the Demons-Bulldogs match to the unusual Wednesday night timeslot.
"I would like to keep our Thursday night, whatever happens, but I must admit, being able to open with the grand final, whether it's just the premiers or the game itself, I think there is something good in that and we should look at in the program," Voss said on Wednesday.
"But I will be selfish here and say I wouldn't mind keeping the Thursday night game as well."
