Pain of missing finals motivating Melbourne during gruelling pre-season, says Jordan Lewis

MELBOURNE veteran Jordan Lewis says the devastation of missing finals last year will be a watershed experience for the Demons as they seek redemption this season.

Jake Lever marks the ball during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session.

MELBOURNE veteran Jordan Lewis says the devastation of missing finals last year will be a watershed experience for the Demons as they seek redemption this season.

GILLON MOVES GOALPOSTS ON AFLW RULES

SUPERCOACH TRAINING WHISPERS

HOW AFL WANTS TO FIX AFLW - NOW

ROO BEAUTY: NORTH MELBOURNE SUPERCOACH PREVIEW

The Demons missed out on September action by .48 per cent — the smallest percentage margin in the game’s history — after a lacklustre final round loss to Collingwood.

Lewis, who is slated to play an increased defensive role this year, delivered on his promise in his first season at Melbourne, finishing top-five in the Dees’ best-and-fairest.

The 31-year-old, who won four premierships at Hawthorn, said last year’s September sting was a telling lesson, which had clearly driven the players through a tough summer.

“It was a really disappointing end to the year and I think the current playing group probably hasn’t experienced that kind of hurt before,” Lewis told the Herald Sun.

Melbourne recruit Jake Lever at pre-season training.

“They sort of sat on the ladder where they thought they would sit (during the rebuild).

“But last year we certainly had expectations to play finals and it was in our own hands.

“When that didn’t happen the players were really disappointed, but for me, it’s not a bad thing to hurt after a season like that and take into the next year.

“It’s certainly been a motivating factor and the players have certainly come back in really good shape and are really driven to play finals this year.”

Lewis said he avoided taking an extended post-season break, believing he needed to complete “near 100 per cent” of the pre-season to feel ready.

Melbourne is out to break a 53-year premiership drought — the longest in the competition — and make finals for the first time in 12 years.

Lewis said his motivation to win a fifth premiership was as strong as ever after his surprise switch from the Hawks at the end of 2016.

“That (another flag) is at the forefront of my mind. It’s the only reason we play football,” he said.

“I struggle to watch Grand Finals simply because you are not playing in them.

“To not want to be the best team in 2018 would be ridiculous.

“So, that (premiership drive) is definitely still there.”

Jesse Hogan looks in good shape for the season ahead.

The AFL said on Wednesday the 287-gamer would receive AFL life membership at the league’s annual general meeting next month.

The Dees made a bold play in last year’s trade period to directly address some defensive deficiencies, handing over two first-round draft picks for Adelaide gun defender Jake Lever.

Lever led the competition for intercept possessions (9.5) and intercept marks (3.7) in only his third season.

“Jake was probably a player we were searching for at times last year,” Lewis said.

“We probably did lack a little bit of leadership in our defensive end, and from what we’ve seen so far he brings competitiveness and also an aspect of leadership.

“So, he has really warmed to the backline and really glued them together and he is a player who has played finals in his three short years, so that experience is invaluable as well.”