Cruel final blow for long-suffering Demons fans

MELBOURNE supporters have endured a brutal week after stuffing up their AFL finals chances. But this was a new low.

Nathan Jones and Jake Melksham walk dejectedly off the MCG. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

IF Melbourne’s failure to end its 11-year drought from the AFL finals wasn’t enough, the club has added salt to the wounds of its fans.

Fans of the club were mailed an official AFL ticket guide, detailing the process on how to buy tickets for all the finals action.

As fans looked for ways to forget the Dees’ stunning final round capitulation, the guide was another knife to the heart of long suffering fans.

“September is just around the corner. As a Melbourne member you have exclusive access to buy tickets before the general public,” an excerpt read.

Jack Watts of the Demons looks dejected after the loss to Collingwood.

The guide even had a heartfelt message from Demons’ co-captains Jack Viney and Nathan Jones, urging supporters to jump on board, and share in the special September journey.

“We are excited to share this journey with you,” the message read.

“Our loyal fans and club members — this is as much your moment as it is ours.

“Months of hard work have brought us to this point and we now need your support, more than ever.”

Demons’ fans were still receiving the guide three days after the club had been cruelly denied a place in the finals, angering fans.

Loving my finals letter from my beloved @melbournefc this arvo! Keeping it as a souvenir will be there 1st pre season game of 2018 pic.twitter.com/swgmGqLFlv

— Luke Sissons (@LSISSO) August 30, 2017

Thank you, @melbournefc, for this handy booklet to buying finals tickets that arrived in the mail today. I'll use it to wipe my salty tears. pic.twitter.com/eFbZyvFa8T

— Sandi Sieger (@SandiSieger) August 30, 2017

When you get this in the mail the week after your boys miss out on finals 😭💔 #nextyearboys #raisehell2018 @melbournefc @DeeArmy pic.twitter.com/q4omnH8Pyx

— Stephanie Lierich (@StephLierich) August 30, 2017

I really hope this is a prank from a mate and not actually from the @melbournefc. pic.twitter.com/Oe1jENbQqd

— Dan Ryan (@dannnr27) August 30, 2017

The Dees just needed to beat Collingwood to lock up a top eight spot, however failed to complete the job.

Instead they allowed the West Coast Eagles to swoop in, after they defeated minor premiers Adelaide and stole the final spot in the eight on percentage.

A club spokesman said the club simply could not wait to have its place in the finals confirmed before sending the information out to supporters, given the short window between the on-sale date of finals tickets.

“Our job is to keep all members well informed,” the official told Fairfax Media.

“While in an ideal world our spot would be cemented in the top eight prior to sending this communication, we didn’t consider it the right option to wait until less than 24 hours before ticket on-sale to send out any information.

“Going into the last round we were a 97 per cent chance of making the finals, so we were unlucky on many fronts, and this communication was one of them.”

The news of the Demons’ near-miss, and embarrassing marketing blunder was met with delight, and some cheeky fans even took things a step further.

Ned Trumble, a Melbourne Demons footy supporter from Fitzroy.

Recently, Melbourne fan Ned Trumble was shown enjoying an extravagant cheese platter at a Demons’ match.

Some fans tried to get the #putoutyourcheeseboards hashtag trending, after the Dees’ horror show, with mixed results.

You've got to feel for Dees fans...#PutOutYourCheeseboards #AFLEaglesCrows pic.twitter.com/qlyVMQEHB0

— Nic Gysen (@gysenn) August 27, 2017

#putoutyourcheeseboard pic.twitter.com/kM2QWT4ClQ

— John H (@absolutlegend) August 27, 2017

AFL legend Rodney Eade gave his thoughts on Melbourne’s failure, telling SEN Radio that the issue might be historically linked to the underachievers.

Eade said from his experience, the club had a history of celebrating a little too early.

“Just in my experience over a long time, they do tend to celebrate (too early),” the former Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and Sydney coach said on SEN Breakfast.

“Historically there’s been a few teams in my time who haven’t achieved a lot, and then celebrate big wins.

“I think Richmond have done it really well this year (when) I think Richmond maybe 10 years ago celebrated when they didn’t need to.

“Hopefully it’s a spur for them next year to be able to seal it when they need to.”

Originally published as Cruel final blow for long-suffering Demons fans