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New Melbourne president Brad Green says the Demons are within touching distance of returning to their best, but has called for unity at the struggling AFL club.
Invoking the spirit of Melbourne greats Ron Barassi and Jim Stynes, new president Brad Green has called for unity at the strife-torn AFL club.
After the Demons dropped out of the top eight this season, Green said on Friday night they were within "touching distance" of returning to their best.
The former star Melbourne player was speaking at the club's best-and-fairest function, a month after taking over from Kate Roffey as president.
The dinner also featured a standing ovation for Angus Brayshaw, who reflected on his playing career after he was among the players awarded life memberships.
Brayshaw, who was forced to retire before the season started due to concussion issues, finished his speech with tearful thanks to the Demons.
He, like Green, was emphatic the Demons could turn around their on-field fortunes quickly.
Green also confirmed Clayton Oliver would be at the club next season, ending weeks of rampant trade speculation around the disgruntled midfielder.
After their drought-breaking 2021 premiership, the Demons had straight-sets finals exits in the next two seasons amid a succession of off-field issues, before finishing 14th this year.
"I bleed red and blue and this club means everything to me. I know the last two years, especially the AFL ... has been hard," Green said.
"There isn't a single Melbourne member or supporter who wouldn't say they haven't felt a sting.
"Right now, we are not in the best position, but we are certainly not in the worst either. This is a strong club ... and we are in touching distance of being back to our best."
The Demons are conducting two reviews in the wake of their disappointing 2024 AFL campaign. Green said the key to renewed success was unity.
"We will realign ourselves and together we will take this club back to where it belongs," he said.
"What I do know is we do need stability and unity. The only way back to the top is banding together.
"Melbourne people stand up, stand tall in tough times. Look no further than Ron Barassi and Jim Stynes.
"These are people who have showed what it means to be a Melbourne person, and they have stood when the club has needed them."
Barassi, who died last year, and Stynes, who died in 2012, are two of the most revered figures in the club's history, and are all-time AFL greats.
Brayshaw said he would be a Demon "for the rest of my life" and is bullish about his now-former teammates turning around their fortunes.
"I truly believe that despite what has happened this year, we have so much to be excited about," Brayshaw said.
"We have some of the best players in the entire game - Gawny (captain Max Gawn), Trac (Christian Petracca), Clarry (Oliver), Mayesy (Steven May) and I could go on.
"My outlook for this group is so positive."
A year ago, chief executive Gary Pert said the culture at Melbourne was the best he had seen in 40 years of involvement in football - a declaration that has aged badly given a tumultuous 12 months on and off the field for the club.
Petracca was not at the best and fairest function because of an overseas trip, as he continues to recover from the horrific mid-season injuries that ended his season.
Like Oliver, there was plenty of speculation about Petracca's future at Melbourne before he committed to the Demons last month in a club statement.