LeBron James led a star-spangled American basketball squad – dubbed the Redeem Team, a spin-off of the famed Dream Team – to Olympic gold in 2008 as they righted the wrongs of a failed campaign four years earlier.
Simon Goodwin’s Demons of 2024 are the AFL’s equivalent.
Melbourne skipper Max Gawn hailed his team’s unity after upsetting Port Adelaide on the road.Credit: AFL Photos
The 2021 premiers were supposed to become a dynasty after one of the most devastating second-half performances in a grand final in recent memory to put paid to the shell-shocked Western Bulldogs.
Instead, Melbourne made consecutive straight-sets finals exits in 2022 and 2023, and spent this past off-season bouncing from one drama and setback after another, from Clayton Oliver’s off-field issues to Joel Smith’s provisional ban for testing positive to an illicit drug on a match day, then Angus Brayshaw’s concussion-related retirement.
They have barely left the headlines since, including this week in the lead-up to travelling to Adelaide to face fellow flag contenders Port Adelaide, with a statement from ex-Demons doctor Zeeshan Arain shared in part in Parliament by federal MP Andrew Wilkie, detailing “off-the-books” illicit drug testing.
None of that mattered on Saturday night, when Melbourne delivered a statement victory on the road, winning a colossal tug-of-war against a quality opponent, though the numbers suggested they should not have claimed the four points.
“Port probably should’ve won the game, but we won the critical moments – and that’s why I’m so proud of this footy team,” Goodwin said post match.
Oliver was outstanding in that respect. His work in close is fabled internally, and it came to the fore in the pivotal final term. Oliver’s subtle body work in the clinches, understanding of where to be, and expert handball skills made him a difference-maker.
Dees prove doubters wrong, Dons edge ahead: Key takeouts from round three
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02.04.2024
LeBron James led a star-spangled American basketball squad – dubbed the Redeem Team, a spin-off of the famed Dream Team – to Olympic gold in 2008 as they righted the wrongs of a failed campaign four years earlier.
Simon Goodwin’s Demons of 2024 are the AFL’s equivalent.
Melbourne skipper Max Gawn hailed his team’s unity after upsetting Port Adelaide on the road.Credit: AFL Photos
The 2021 premiers were supposed to become a dynasty after one of the most devastating........
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