No nerves for Ron Barassi as his beloved Demons fight their way to the Grand Final

MELBOURNE legend Ron Barassi has no doubt: his beloved Demons are set for a grand final berth. And he will even tell you how many goals they’ll take the premiership cup by.

MELBOURNE legend Ron Barassi has no doubt: his beloved Demons are set for a grand final berth.

And, if you ask him, they’ll win that by two goals.

Barassi, who captained the club’s last premiership side in 1964, said he had no nerves ahead of the clash with West Coast in Perth on Saturday night.

“Feeling excited is better than feeling nervous,” he said with a smile.

“We’ve got to win one.

“I’m getting on in years so they’ve got to get a premiership soon.”

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AFL great Ron Barassi with Melbourne fans [clockwise from Ron] Romy Lipson, Asher Lipson (age 2), Michael Lipson, Daniel Roth and Joseph Roth. Picture: Alex Coppel

While he rates the commitment of co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney, when asked which young players he favoured, Barassi said: “I like anyone who plays well when it’s needed.”

He could have taken his pick from Melbourne’s 22 on Friday night.

It was “dedicated” football, said supporter Joseph Roth, who jumped on the Dees bandwagon as a youngster in ‘65.

Now the red and blue runs in the Roths’ blood with son, Daniel Roth, daughter, Romy Lipson, and two-year-old grandson Asher all supporters.

“I started supporting at totally the wrong time but couldn’t turn back,” Mr Roth said.

“Every aspect of what is happening now is a thrill because it’s unexpected and it’s something we haven’t experienced for so long.

AFL great Ron Barassi fired up after Melbourne's win against Hawthorn. Picture: Alex Coppel

“We’re just going with it, going with the flow and enjoying every second of it.”

The fanatics have showed their support over the years by naming their family pets after the team they love.

There was a blue tongue lizard named after Adem Yze, a golden retriever honouring former coach Dean Bailey and now toy cavoodle Clarry for Clayton Oliver.

But the naming tradition began with a cat named Barassi.

“Before mum and dad had me, they had Barassi,” Ms Lipson said.

“Melbourne has always been an endearing club, even when they were struggling.

“There’s so much history, there’s so many great personalities.

“I’m really happy for the players, especially Nathan Jones, because they’ve been through so much but stuck with it.”

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@moniquehore