Melbourne star Jack Viney out to exorcise demons of 2018 prelim

Melbourne is looking to exorcise the demons from its 2018 preliminary final as it pushes to end a premiership drought of 57 years.

Melbourne star Jack Viney is looking to help his side end a 57-year premiership hoodoo. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne star Jack Viney insists the side is worlds away from the one hammered in the 2018 preliminary final, as the Dees look to end a 57-year premiership drought.

Three seasons ago the Demons took on the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium and were disposed of by the West Australian side by a whipping 66 points.

Watch every 2021 Toyota AFL Finals Series match before Grand Final. Live & Ad-Break Free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free >

Despite the horror showing that day, Viney believes the group is better off from that experience, with one key lesson learnt.

“I haven’t really drawn on that experience too much, it does feel like a lifetime ago,” Viney said.

“I do feel like this group is in a much different position; I feel like the build-up’s different.

“You very rarely get these opportunities in football, and that’s what I learnt in 2018.

“You just never know when you’ll be in this position, so you’ve got to make the most of it and that’s what we’re working hard to do.”

The run to the preliminary final was Melbourne’s first appearance in the post-season since 2006, when the Demons were thrown off the semi-final stage by Fremantle.

Jack Viney isn’t drawing too much on his experience from Melbourne’s disappointing showing in the 2018 preliminary final. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne’s run-in to the end of the 2018 season saw them win six of their last eight games in the regular season, and inspired plenty of belief and confidence within the team.

“(We are) continuing to learn and continuing to develop; understand what it takes to perform and execute consistently at the elite level and compete with the best teams in the comp,” Viney said.

“I feel like this year’s been a terrific year because we’ve done it consistently throughout the year.

“It hasn’t been poor patches here or we’ve just strung together six games at the end of the year to just get over the line.

“We’ve been able to really play well as a team for the majority of the year.

“So that’s been such a pleasing thing.”

As the Dees return to the scene of the 2018 preliminary final crime, it’s a whole different landscape.

They’re facing another Victorian team in the form of Geelong, and have been in a quarantine bubble due to the competition’s Covid-19 protocols.

Viney and his Melbourne teammates are out to end a 57-year premiership drought. Picture: Sarah Reed / AFL Photos via Getty Images

Viney lamented the loss of a more traditional build-up to such an important game, but believed his side is coping perfectly.

“The build-up’s certainly different, not being among the atmosphere, the hype, being around our fans in Melbourne,” Viney said.

“Not that it feels like a home and away season, because the expectation and the stakes are a lot higher and the playing group understand that.

“But not having that or being exposed to the excitement and atmosphere at finals, particularly a prelim, is something that is lacking.

“But we’re in difficult and interesting times, and we’re just doing the best we can.”

Viney and his teammates already have a mental edge over Geelong, as the Demons have beaten the Cats on two occasions in the regular season.

However, the preliminary final has so much more at stake than just four competition points.

It’s another ticket for the Demons to a grand final, and a chance to end the hurt of a 57-year premiership drought.

The first bounce for Melbourne and Geelong’s preliminary final is scheduled for 7:50pm on Friday.

Originally published as Melbourne star Jack Viney out to exorcise demons of 2018 prelim