Melbourne Demons legend Ron Barassi welcomed an exclusive look at the 2021 AFL Premiership Cup in his home earlier this week.
Like many other Melbourne fans, Barassi was tested by the extended 57-year wait between flags.
As a Demons player, Barassi was integral to the club's premiership history, having won six flags between 1955 and 1964.
In an interview with Melbourne Media, Barassi expressed his joy with the club's 13th premiership cup by holding it aloft - akin to the scenes of 1964.
“It means a lot. It means something special,” Barassi said.
“It’s great to see Melbourne successful again. I played for Melbourne, my father played for Melbourne and it’s just a fantastic thrill."
He also threw his support behind captain Max Gawn and coach Simon Goodwin, and sided with the positive emotions they will undoubtedly be experiencing.
But he's also buoyed by the prospect of more premierships, saying the club is well-placed to remain at the top of the competition next season.
“Melbourne won a mighty, mighty, mighty flag. They are hard things to win,” Barassi said.
“There is no reason why there shouldn’t be more to come.
“The Melbourne players and supporters should be very happy. Give us a couple of weeks and let’s get ready for next year.”
As a coach, Barassi then added four premierships to his tally, winning two at Carlton in 1968 and 1970, before another two at North Melbourne in 1975 and 1977.
He was also an early advocator for the game's expansion by becoming a major supporter of South Melbourne's relocation to Sydney, where he coached the Swans from 1993 to 1995.
Barassi envisaged a time when Australian rules football would have a national competition featuring up to four teams from New South Wales and Queensland. His vision, which was largely ridiculed at the time, has become a reality.