Lyon: Demons best yet, but don’t deny past

MELBOURNE great Garry Lyon says this crop of Demons has the best chance of winning a premiership in his lifetime.

But he adds the players must embrace the club’s sometimes tragic past.

Enduring the longest active flag drought in the league, the Demons have not won since defeating Collingwood in 1964.

Lyon, 54, has experienced Melbourne’s two most recent grand final appearances – a 96point thumping at the hands of Hawthorn in 1988 as a player and 2000’s loss to Essendon as a spectator.

But after finishing as minor premiers for the first time since their last triumph 57 years ago, Lyon, who will present the premiership cup if Melbourne wins, says the 2021 Demons are the best he’s seen.

“There was one in 1988 – I played in that – against a Hawthorn team who were as good as I’ve ever seen, and then they played another one in 2000 against an Essendon team that lost one game for the year,” he said. “This is the best Melbourne team. They’re playing the best footy I’ve seen from a Melbourne team.”

But Lyon said the club could not ignore its painful past, even if it increased the pressure on the players.

“I don’t know how Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) will embrace it but you wouldn’t ignore it,” he said.

“It’s there, it’s in front of your face every day. They’re acutely aware of what it means to Melbourne people.

“The history of the footy club should never be denied, whether it’s a tragic history or a successful one.

“What they did here a few days ago suggests they’re in the right frame of mind. I don’t have any issues about whether they can handle the occasion.”