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We have a tradition on Demonland on this day in every year to celebrate a young Demon, Troy Broadbridge, who passed away on this day in 2004, on the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand. He was one of 227,898 victims of the Boxing Day Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami, one of humanity’s largest natural disasters. Troy was an up and coming young defender for the club who had just played in his first final for the club and even more recently, had married Trisha Silvers. This is the first time we remember the anniversary of his passing with a premiership under the club’s belt. Along with the likes of Jimmy Stynes, Robbie Flower, Dean Bailey, Sean Wight, Colin Sylvia and others on the highway of Demons who passed on before their time, I’d like to think that somewhere in the universe they’re celebrating that feat in the final days of 2021 with us.

It still hasn't fully sunk in and I doubt it will until we are back at the G and seeing the flag unfurled. For me though it means never having those quiet, dark moments after another disappointing loss, another crushing defeat, another coach sacked, another player jumping ship where you think "why am I so invested in this? Why am I dedicating so much time and energy to something that causes so much angst? Will I ever get the emotional reward of seeing this club as the Premiers after 20, 30 now 40 years of support? What the hell have I done to my kids setting them up for a life of misery?" Now that I've finally seen us win a flag I never have to question that again - its just enjoying supporting the team without the dread of having my emotional investment unrewarded and never having opposition supporters give me the look of pity/derision again when I tell them who I support. I've always known we were the best club but now it's not just in the history books and grainy black and white footage, its in the living flesh.

Also Happy Birthday to our Premiership Coach.

At Christmas lunch I asked my nutter Hawks MIL if she could just pop the GF replay on the telly. Went down as expected, made me a happy man. Had to suck down years of their smug [censored]. Nice to put a cats bum look on the old girls face!

Yes I am sure they would rather win in rd 1 than their 3rd flag in history!

Troy sacrificed his own life so that Tricia could live. Hero.

The following pretty much sums up how this Premiership has impacted my life. Years ago I sat opposite an oncologist who had the grim job of saying those three words (and I don’t mean those three words that most women want to hear, ie, ‘I love you’ or ‘you’re not fat’). After delivering this shocking diagnosis (totally unexpected since no family history, no symptoms or lumps, just a routine mammogram) he gave me a tip. He said that when a person experiences a huge upheaval, be it good or bad, you should say it aloud. He insisted that hearing yourself saying it aloud helps your brain to process it quickly. So, the whole way home (45-minute drive) I repeated over and over, I have cancer, I have breast cancer, etc. Fast forward to the 25th of September 2021 and the same tip was applied: I said it aloud many times, Melbourne are Premiers, We won the Premiership, We won the Grand Final, etc. And herein is the difference: after two weeks or so of the breast cancer diagnosis I had fully come to terms with it. I had accepted it as real. Conversely, it’s been three months since the Premiership win and I STILL CAN’T BLOODY BELIEVE IT!!! WE ARE THE PREMIERS!!! ❤️💙❌❌❌❤️💙

I don’t think I’ve changed all that much but then again, I don’t think that it’s sunk in yet. I think I need to have the feeling of walking to the ground across the concourse to be at the start of a game at the G and to watch the unfurling of OUR premiership flag for me to know that it’s finally happened.

I finally caught up with my wife's cousins who are mad Bulldogs supporters at our Christmas Eve dinner last night, after a bit of friendly banter I said at least you guys already won one a few years ago so its not as bad as if you were still in a drought one of them tried to pull the "yeah we won a real Grand Final, not a rubbish interstate covid one" - I just smiled, and said "so that's how you're trying to rationalise that embarrassing capitulation to yourself." He said he'd rather win at the G in round 1 next year and I said don't worry, we'll do that too 🤣

One impact has been, if I’m feeling flat or hung over, I put on my MFC cap and go for a walk… and inevitably someone gives me a joy filled “Go Dees”, which really perks me up. The premiership cup keeps giving…

GF replay was on Foxtel this morning, and I watched it start to finish & post game! still more tears the win has made me realise how much the bad years actually effected me! I think I use to kid myself ie “it’s only footy, who cares” during our lean times. BUT, clearly it was a big negative drag. Don’t want to take anything for granted. Who knows how long this successful phase will last :- need to soak up every experience, and enjoy every minute!

Melb vs Richmond being replayed on Foxtel now :- best you let the in-laws know

White Premiers T from Demon Shop turned up on Christmas Eve! I'm all done now!

Here I am this morning at the McDonalds in Leopold waiting for a coffee on the road to the family. Just keeping a lid on it this Christmas. My partner said I look like a sad, sick kid trying to raise money for a children’s charity. It is a sickness of sorts. We won the flag! GO DEES!

Holy cow, there were some tough ones there. Thanks Demonstone for the extra entertainment. Icing on the cake of walloping the Poms.

So, you thought Mick was a reference to Michael Clarke? And that because Clarke’s nickname is Pup and a pup is a dog and dogs don’t like cats and Simon Katich’s name has a first syllable that sounds like Cat and therefore if Clarke was a selector he wouldn’t select Katich for this reason? Is that what you’re thinking? for the love of god, please say no

Civil has been crowned official Demonland Legend.

This is fantastic! I feel opposition supporters are partly happy for us winning this year :- it won’t be until we dominate in 2022, that we really start to annoy them

I got this watch for Christmas. It’s actually a lot nicer in person than in the add which was a pleasant surprise. I also got a premiership jersey, bar runner, stickers, cap and flag. Very spoilt this yr but as I said to my kids, it’s easy to buy for dad when we win the premiership. (This is the first year they haven’t had to really think what to get me!). Hope all demonlanders had a great Christmas Day. 🥃🏆

My tribute to Troy and our other Demons that passed away before their time, when flying the flag for our GF appearance. At the time Troy was in his prime (so sadly cut short) as a footballer for the MFC, my interests in life were focused on other things, so I don't have much of a personal memory of his time as a player. However from all the great things I've heard from others, his name and memory has a well respected place amoung those others I remembered as we played off in the big one in September. Again, just from others accounts, outside of footy, Troy and Tricia were also great contributors to Jimmy's Reach Youth organisation, which has positively impacted on the lives of many young people. RIP Troy - hope you partied hard and enjoyed the premership win with our other great past players up there.

I scored Gawnys Diary, At Last, the premiership bluray, the premiership DVD, the Victory Pack box set, an MFC polo top, a scarf, Demons socks, a premiership coffee mug and a Grand Final coffee mug. I got my dad At Last, an MFC jacket, my brother the Petracca tshirt ("We did it baby! Wooooo!!"), my mum the premiers framed poster signed by Petracca and Gawn, my kids got premiership tshirts and water bottles. Easiest Christmas shopping in years 😀

We just arrived home from our best friends after sharing Xmas dinner with them for the 30th consecutive year with our children and they are also die hard Demons. We discussed the Grand Final win and how it has affected our life, raising our spirits and making us finally complete as footy supporters and MFC members. We had a few drinks a lot of laughs and a beautiful meal together, how sweet it is.💕❤️💙

Baffling? 🤔 Sure more opportunity elsewhere but after all MFC are the reigning Premiers and if Weid has self belief and a free run with injury who better to play with. Maybe he has taken it as a challenge and a learning experience.

I am generally much happier about everyday life. The #1 item on my bucket list has finally been ticked off. The weight of countless years of disappointment accumulating were banished, and it has been filled with huge amounts of pride and adoration for my Dees. My Christmas present was delivered on September 25th. The happiest and proudest day of my life.

Well, I received the book - Gawny's book - for an Xmas present. Glancing at it, I read the first two chapters. This guy has his head screwed on and astutely laid out the pathway to Team success. Loving the book, it will be finished in an hour - but doesn't it make you appreciate Max just that little bit more? He has got to be the most appreciated footballer going around the whole AFL.

Old man rang me this morning for Xmas. Dad - "I bought you a book for Xmas." Me - "I bought you a book for Xmas." Dad - "Is it Gawnys book ?" Me - "Lol .... Yeah." Dad - "It's great, I read it in 2 days." Me - "Yeah .... I read yours in a day." Apple doesn't fall far from the tree 😂😈

Our household has spent the morning in quiet reflection, thankful for the appearance of the saviour, who gave so that we may live, and thereby has saved us all. From 57 years of misery. Unfortunately schisms have appeared over whether the saviour is Max, Tracc, or Goodwin. However I expect by Easter (the annual rebirth of the home and away season) that we will unite to declare holy war on the heretics (Collingwood, Essendon, etc).

I’m in charge of bringing the cheese platter for Christmas lunch today. My Richmond mad in laws are gonna love the Melbourne premiership cheese board I’m gonna bring to the occasion.

I used to be a grumpy person but winning the premiership has turned me into a model citizen. I don’t litter the streets and I help little old ladies cross the road. I’ve become a cross between Mahatma Ghandi and Jesus.

YES! Oh, you said other posters. As you were.

Number 12: Geoff Lawson Because they’re the rules (Law) young man (son)

Number 11… Redpath

There is one line in one of my favourite songs sung by Dionne Warrick which I would like to dedicate to all Demonlanders out there "The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you." Best of luck to you all, and stay well and prosper. Cheers PF

I heard a stat mentioned the other day that dogs won about twenty of their first quarters all year. I'm not sure if that's true....anyone confirm? If it is, it was a better one by us to whip them in the first of the granny. That first quarter scoring by us was not our usual way. But helped keep us in touch score wise when the dogs got the drop on us. Psychologically if we were thirty points down it could have been pretty rough. I still dont get why the dogs went out in the last the way they did. Yep they travelled a lot but had 2 weeks rest. One must assume that they were somewhat blown away by our third quarter performance. It must have had taken some toll on their mindset. After controlling the scoring and be three goals up they must have been wondering if it was theirs maybe.

Anyone who attended the incredibly moving ceremony before the first game of the 2005 season, will never forget it. RIP Broady! Never to be forgotten around here.

He was one of those players who worked hard at his game and was continually improving. Not a champion but the type of player you always want on your team because he was always reliable and you could count on him to do the job at hand.

I really think Troy was ready to be a great footballer before he tragically lost his life. He could could play tall or small and was pretty quick. GONE TOO SOON.

Give Weideman a full pre season no injuries and see how he goes in 2022. Like Viney who had a much better run with injuries in 2021 and finals form was great.

Santa came early for us. It’s been great and awful virtually hanging with you people for the past decade and a half. rp

I have been checking out the size and shape of presents under the tree and I think I may have done the right thing by waiting for today instead of buying it.

The stigma has been removed. No longer have to deal with pity and /or disdain when declaring I’m a Dees supporter. I will say its hard to stay humble when your team is so good though. Spent yesterday evening with my St Kilda supporting in-laws. The dynamic has changed. No longer equally hopeless. I couldn’t help being mean-spirited and petty. I know this makes me sound obnoxious but if St Kilda had won the flag I would have been on the receiving end without doubt. My topics of conversation were: How good were the Dees this year Will the Dees 3-peat Can the Dees go unbeaten in 2022 Langdon v Brad Hill. Who got the better deal St Kilda’s recent dumpster fire recruitment policy Will St Kilda ever win another premiership McCartin over Petracca, what might have been Can’t wait for season 2022 to get underway Go Dees

Just use some creative accounting to shift the book purchase to "cultural/entertainment spend" instead of footy and voila!

Saw my GP (Demon man) today. Asked how I was; “never felt better since halfway thru third quarter” Knew what I meant.

Have a great and safe Christmas everyone. Thanks especially to Andy and the crew for this great site. I know we can all get a bit willing at times but the common love for the Demons is the thing that binds us together. The curse, and the long-suffering are finally no more. Enjoy!

Finally got around to getting these framed.

Carols by Candlelight, Nutcracker, or Demons v Bulldogs GF 2021? Decisions ....

Just got the Blu-Ray, and wow. Let me just paint you a picture: PETRACCA: "I've just won us all a flag. Say, who is that bloke?" THAT BLOKE: "omg he's just won us a flag I hope I don't cry and become Demons folklore…"

We, the ones who cannot get there to any training session, are highly indebted to you, PF. Training is as interesting to us a being at a 'reserves' game of the past but moving into the 'here and now', represents a vital cog in the wheels of performance and player/team readiness.