Martin Flanagan in today's Age: DEMON OF A TIME BUT YOUNG DEES BRING HOPE

I NEVER go into the Demons' room before a match and not think they're going to win.

I am not without experience in these matters, having twice been in team rooms before grand finals. I also spent a year with the Dogs when they were stuttering along, having started the year seeing themselves as a premiership contender. No, Melbourne's rooms are unfailingly buoyant. Morale is good. Then they go out and lose.

The loss to Collingwood on the Queen's Birthday at the MCG — the Demons' biggest stage for the year — cost them plenty. Apart from anything else, it killed the faint aura of a fairytale revival that was beginning to assemble around the club. Then, by way of a follow-up, during the third term of last week's match against Essendon, the game left the Dees like the spirit leaves a body.

Certainly exciting times ahead for the Dee's...i for one can't wait. All this time down the bottom of the ladder will make our success all the sweeter.

GO DEE'S