I PUT THE MOCK ON THEM BONDS ARE TIMELESS

Q What is it like now as a Melbourne fan for your team to be playing finals for the first time in so many years?

A It is great. Former Melbourne Demon Matthew Whelan (pictured), who is now the club’s indigenous Project Officer, is one of my best mates and we touch base every week about it. I think I have put the mock on them a few times this year. I told him after they belted a few sides that I may start looking at grand final tickets. Then they lost a few in a row so I was laughing that I was the jinx. It is awesome to see to see because I know how hard they have worked. It is a bit scary as well because the last time they played finals I was out there with them in 2006. It is a long time ago. The only guy that is left is Nathan Jones and he had only played a handful of games at that point. It is great reward for guys that have been there since 2008 and through all the tough times, guys like Max Gawn and Neville Jetta. I mentored Nev throughout my career and to see him grow into the leader he is these days, it is a credit to him and his family. In 2013 he was about to be delisted but Paul Roos saw something in him and stuck with him. Nev was stiff not to be in the All-Australian squad this year and it is great to see him and the rest of the boys play finals. This team has the ability to do damage in the finals. Just look at the last two years with Western Bulldogs and Richmond.

Q Do you still class yourself as a Melbourne fan these days?

A For me as a young indigenous boy from Darwin, it was amazing to play with the guys that I mentioned before. Robbie Flower was a mentor of mine at Melbourne, which was surreal. I always wanted to represent my family in Darwin with everything I did at Melbourne. I supported Essendon as a kid because of Michael Long and then I transferred over to Port Adelaide when they came in because of Gavin Wanganeen and the Burgoyne boys, but I am Melbourne now.

Q How long do you think you have playing wise to go in your body?

A I will play a few games this season as my brother Alwyn is coaching again. In an ideal world, I would win a flag for Palmerston and then retire. My body is getting a bit sore.

Q Just back to Neville Jetta from before. He seems to have taken on the role of indigenous leader at Melbourne following on from guys like you, Whelan and others at the club. Have you seen that from him?

A For me it all stemmed from Matty Whelan. He started most of it at Melbourne. We had Liam Jurrah, Austin Wonaeamirri and Neville at the time at Melbourne and we did not think of it as leadership but just spending times with your mates and learning. I was the vice-captain at Melbourne and in the leadership group so I needed to be accountable for these guys and drive them around when they first moved down. We formed a real brotherhood over those years. Nev is doing a tremendous job.