How did Melbourne Demons get here? The key decisions paving the way for grand final berth

Grand final appearances don't just happen.

They're the result of dozens of decisions made over many years.

Some of those calls are made with instant impact in mind, others pave the way for success a long way down the track.

Here's the three key decisions which have Melbourne in touching distance of their first flag since 1964.

Short term - Employing Mark Williams and Adam Yze

Melbourne made two massive signings over the off-season and neither have spent a minute on the field.

Former Port Adelaide premiership-winning coach Mark 'Choco' Williams was brought to the club, while Demons great Adam Yze returned as an assistant coach after a long apprenticeship under Alastair Clarkson.

Williams is famed as a skill coach for his sometimes unorthodox but usually effective methods.

Melbourne's ball use by foot had become their Achilles heel over the past two seasons, regularly butchering the footy going forward, further highlighting their key position shortage.

Way back in March, key defender Steven May spoke about the difference Williams had made.

"He’s a very passionate, smart man who shares the same view as me in terms of valuing kicking. I really value kicking in the game," May said on SEN.

"'Choco' is mad about it – he’s obsessed about being perfect with every kick. He’ll stand there at every training session and watch every kick, and if it’s not perfect, he’ll let you know.

"Sometimes you can train and go through the motions and the skills drop off, but 'Choco' doesn’t allow that to happen at all.

"He’s been a great addition."

As for Yze, the Dees have done what just about every club has for the past decade - borrowed some of Clarko's genius.

Clarkson, or a coach who worked under him (Luke Beveridge, Damien Hardwick, Adam Simpson), have won every flag since 2013.

Yze, who played 271 games for Melbourne, was on the Hawks' staff for nine years before being brought across as a midfield coach.

His arrival has coincided with career-best seasons for Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca (third and equal ninth in the Brownlow, respectively) and the Demons midfield is now just about the only one with enough firepower to match the Dogs.

Medium term - Backing Simon Goodwin

The coach was under plenty of pressure when Melbourne dropped winnable games against Sydney and Fremantle to all but rule them out of the finals last year.

That disappointment came on the back of a 2019 season which saw them plummet to 17th after a preliminary final appearance the year before.

With the undoubted quality on their list, Melbourne could have been forgiven for losing patience and ditching the coach, hoping for a magic bullet while their list should have been in contention for a flag.

Instead they stuck strong, surrounding Goodwin with the personnel and resources to push them towards a grand final.

In turn, Goodwin has shown an ability to adapt - tweaking the Demons' gameplan to feature a stronger focus on defensive stability.

Goodwin is currently contracted until the end of next season but expect both parties to come to an agreement on a new deal shortly.

Long term - Nailing the Draft

For a rebuilding club, getting your selections right on Draft night can mean the difference between long-term success and more time at the wrong end of the ladder.

Since Paul Roos took over ahead of the 2014 season, the Dees have barely put a foot wrong, and much credit must go to recruitment boss Jason Taylor.

Taylor has been in the post since 2012, a period in which Melbourne have unearthed gem after gem at the Draft.

Let's take a look at their selections in the top 40 going back to the start of the Roos era.

You have to go way back to Jay Kennedy-Harris at pick 40 in 2013 to find a player no longer at the club.

While the 'go-home factor' isn't such an issue for clubs in Victoria, the Demons' retention record speaks to a strong culture and belief at the club.

But Melbourne's draftees aren't content to just hang around, instead making up the core of their first grand final team in over 20 years.

In fact, only three of the 18 players Melbourne have selected in the top 40 over the past eight drafts are unlikely to feature in their matchday 23 for the grand final.

And two of them (Bailey Laurie and Fraser Rosman) are in their first year at the club. The other, tall forward Sam Weideman, has fallen behind Ben Brown but is by no means a bust.

Add in some clever, needs-based recruits like Brown, Steven May, Jake Lever and Ed Langdon, it's no wonder the Dees are one win away from drought-breaking flag.

This footy finals play the punting advantage with Palmerbet. Gamble Responsibly. 18+