It's a Grand Old Flag in Jamieson

By CARMEL DIXON 'GRAND Old Flag' was sung with gusto in Jamieson on Saturday evening, as Melbourne Demons champion player and local resident Brian Dixon celebrated the team of '21 bringing home the Premiership Cup. Melbourne ended a 57–year premiership drought with a 74–point thrashing of the Western Bulldogs in the AFL grand final. Local Perkins and Grey Café owner Paul Rotherham held a 10 guest dinner at the café on Saturday evening to honour Brian's premiership achievements and watch the momentous win for his beloved Demons. With restrictions adhered to, the guests enjoyed a footy game to remember, watching the whole celebration on TV installed for the evening. The room was festooned with balloons and bunting in the Demons and Bulldogs colours. The evening celebration was a surprise for Brian, which added to the delight. The traditional footy fare was individual pre–game nibbles at the allocated dining tables, followed by hot party pies, fish, chips, garlic bread, the odd beer and a glass or two of red wine. Dessert followed – a cheesecake decorated in blue berries and strawberries in keeping with the Demons' colours. Brian and guests watched on as the Demons engineered a stunning turnaround during the third quarter to post an emphatic 21.14 (140) to 10.6 (66) victory in front of 61,118 spectators at a sold–out Optus Stadium in Perth. They trailed by 19 points but piled on seven unanswered goals, including four direct from centre bounces, in a burst of dominance that buried the Bulldogs before the final change. The rampant Demons went on to kick 16 of the last 17 goals and run away with the match. It was Melbourne's first premiership since 1964 and 13th overall, drawing them level with Richmond and Hawthorn in equal–fourth position – three flags behind competition leaders Carlton and Essendon (16 each). The historic win followed a big fortnight for Brian, with Melbourne radio station interviews, Zoom interviews and telephone interviews over the last two weeks. Brian was delighted to tell the stories of his five premiership wins playing for Melbourne and the horror of the losses. His love of his club and his contact with his teammates has been a constant joy and reminiscing about those of his team who have passed added a tinge of sadness to an incredible sporting achievement. Celebrations are being planned for past players to meet and the premiership players to enjoy a hands on cup presentation, when restrictions allow. It was off to church the following day, where Father George Feliciouz, Jamieson parish priest, asked Brian if he would mind being photographed following the Sunday mass service. "It's not every day I see a demon attending church," said the Father.