Demons keen to learn from finals shame

MELBOURNE veteran Jordan Lewis says the devastation of missing finals last year will be a watershed experience for the Demons as they seek redemption this season.

The Demons missed out on September action by .48 per cent — the smallest percentage margin in the game’s history — after a lacklustre final round loss to Collingwood last year. Lewis, who is slated to play an increased defensive role this year, delivered on his promise in his first season at Melbourne, finishing top-five in the Dees’ best and fairest.

The 31-year-old, who won four flags at Hawthorn, said last year’s September sting was a telling lesson, which had clearly driven the group through a tough summer.

“It was a really disappointing end to the year and I think the current playing group probably hasn’t experienced that kind of hurt before,” Lewis said. “They sort of sat on the ladder where they thought they would sit [during the rebuild]. But last year we had expectations to play finals and it was in our own hands.

“When that didn’t happen the players were really disappointed, but for me, it’s not a bad thing to hurt after a season like that and take into the next year. It’s certainly been a motivating factor and the players have certainly come back in really good shape and are really driven to play finals this year.”

Lewis said he avoided taking an extended post-season break, believing he needed to complete “near 100 per cent” of the pre-season to feel ready.

Melbourne is out to break a 53-year premiership drought — the longest in the competition — and make finals for the first time in 12 years this season. Lewis said his motivation to win a fifth premiership was as strong as ever, after his surprise switch from the Hawks at the end of 2016.

“That [another flag] is at the forefront of my mind. It’s the only reason we play football,” he said. “I struggle to watch grand finals simply because you are not playing in them.

“To not want to be the best team in 2018 would be ridiculous. So, that [premiership drive] is definitely still there.”

The AFL said yesterday the 287-gamer would receive AFL life membership at the league’s annual general meeting next month.

The Dees made a bold play in last year’s trade period to directly address some defensive deficiencies, handing over two first-round draft picks for Adelaide gun defender Jake Lever.

Lever led the competition for intercept possessions (9.5) and intercept marks (3.7) in only his third season, according to Champion Data.

“Jake was probably a player we were searching for at times last year,” Lewis said.