Jim Stynes’ legacy to inspire hungry Dees

Melbourne great Jim Stynes’ relatives say the late footy legend would be bursting with pride to see the Demons on the cusp of a grand final.

Brian, left, Jim, right and Tiernan middle. Picture from Jim Stynes’ book 'My Journey'.

The brother of Melbourne legend Jim Stynes has urged the Demons to channel the fighting spirit of the Hall of Famer as they face Geelong for a spot in the AFL grand final.

Brian Stynes said his famous brother would be bursting with pride to see his beloved Dees on the cusp of success and long suffering fans living in hope.

“He would be amazed,’’ he said.

“His pride would be immense.’’

With minor premier Melbourne hoping to end a 57-year premiership drought, the Stynes family has been swept up in the emotion of a shot at Grand Final glory like all Dees fans.

“My father has been barracking for Melbourne for 37 years, somebody who didn’t know much about the game when his son was drafted,’’ Brian said.

Jim Styne’s brother Brian Stynes says Jim would be immensely proud if the Demons win the flag. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“He is 86, he has supported them for a long, long time and he said to me the other day ‘if they can do it this year I will die happy’.’’

Stynes, who followed his famous brother from Ireland to Melbourne after watching him forge a famous footy career and help save the Dees from financial ruin as chairman, said Jim would be looking down from heaven with a smile.

“Unfortunately all that time he gave to the club we had no success at all, we were at the lowest ebbs of our existence really,’’ he said.

“It was really tough that everything he tried to do in the background didn’t really turn into anything on the field at the time.

“So this would be I suppose a little bit for all the work he and others did in getting us to the team that is ready do play finals.’’

Stynes died after a battle with cancer aged 45 in 2012 after winning four Melbourne best and fairest awards in 264 games between 1987 and 1998.

Brothers Brian and Jim Stynes in 1992.

Brian Stynes is willing the Demons to break their 57-year premiership drought. Picture: Alex Coppel.

His brother reckons the Brownlow Medallist and two time All Australian would have a clear message for Melbourne players lining up in Friday’s night’s do or die final.

“The words of encouragement would be ‘do not be overawed by this occasion … take in the atmosphere but the minute that ball is thrown up, get out there and do what you’ve done all year’,’’ he said.

“Do what you’ve done all your football career, enjoy it.’’

Stynes said his Melbourne Team of the Century brother would be especially proud of Dees ruckman and protege Max Gawn.

“Obviously he’s a fantastic player Max, the number one ruckman in the competition and he’s been All Australian five times,’’ he said.

“He’s been enormous but I think what Jim would really be proud of Max for is what he does outside of the playing role in his captaincy and the way he puts Melbourne on the map with the public.

“He’s a real stand out character and very quickly had a connection to the past of the club that would make Jim most happy.’’

Stynes said Melbourne meant the world to his brother who was “a giant” in Ireland but “found his place in the world’’ with the Demons.

“He did what he could for the club and it accumulated as being one of the main things in his last years of life,’’ he said.

Stynes, who played two matches for the Demons himself, said this year’s “very good team’’ had “a huge opportunity’’ and should seize “the moment to strike’’.

“It’s the now, it’s the here, it’s not next year or tomorrow,’’ he said.

“They’ve got to do grasp it now, this game. This week.

“Jim, of everybody, would know that.’’