Jim Stynes’ special impact on Dees’ Grand Final win

As the Demons celebrate their grand final win, Jim Stynes’ widow has revealed how the Melbourne legend inspired premiership stars like Max Gawn.

Jim Stynes knew there was something special about Max Gawn.

The late footy legend mentored several young players, including the star ruckman who captained Melbourne to its first premiership in 57 years.

“Jim had a knack of seeing something special in younger people and he definitely saw that in Max’s ability as a leader and as a human being,” his widow Sam Ludbey-Stynes said.

That passion for emboldening others saw Stynes establish The Reach Foundation which encourages young people to believe in themselves and to get the most out of life.

“When they come out the other end with a premiership cup in hand, that’s what they call a hero’s journey at The Reach Foundation,” Ms Ludbey-Stynes said.

“Those players they’ve gone through some difficult times to get there, from Covid, being away from their families and the travelling.”

Jim Stynes with a young Max Gawn.

Jim Stynes' presented Gawn with his first jumper.

Mrs Ludbey-Stynes told the Herald Sun that her husband, who played more than 260 games from the Dees, won a Brownlow Medal and saved the club from financial ruin as chairman, would have been “incredibly proud” of Melbourne’s victory.

“There would have been lots of tears, joy, elation … Jim just loved that club. He would have been over the moon,” she said.

The mother of two watched the game with family in Melbourne and said it was “surreal” to see the Dees break their premiership drought.

“It was highly emotional, I truly am a bit lost for words. It’s highly emotive because of what it means and the joy that it’s brought through such difficult times,” she said.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions as the Demons took an early lead before the Bulldogs pulled ahead by halftime, Ms Ludbey-Stynes said.

“I was always confident they’d get the win … But in that second quarter, the mood had changed and we were nervous.”

Sam Ludbey-Stynes and her kids Tiernan, 16 and Matisse, 20, celebrating the Demons’. Picture: Tim Carrafa

What followed in the second half of the third quarter may have been the best football played by the Demons in half a century with seven unanswered goals, including three in the final minute.

“I could not be prouder of that club and that team,” she said.

“Getting rid of the curse, I think Jim would’ve been pumped about that.”

Brian Stynes said the win would have been a “special moment” for his late brother.

“He would have been out of his mind last night watching that game, he would have been just like me, riding every emotion from despair to ecstasy,” he said.

“He would have been so proud of the way they went about it yesterday and all year. They are just such a great team.”

Originally published as Jim Stynes’ special impact on Dees’ Grand Final win