The Western Bulldogs will become the first beaten AFL grand finalists in 13 years to watch on as the reigning premiers unfurl their flag in front of them.
The 2022 AFL season kicks off at the MCG on Wednesday night, with Melbourne to celebrate their first premiership in 57 years in a rematch of last year's decider against the Bulldogs.
It will be an emotional occasion for Victorian-based Demons supporters, who were forced to watch last year's grand final at Perth's Optus Stadium from lockdown.
Demons legends Ron Barassi, Garry Lyon, Todd Viney, David Neitz and Nathan Jones will take part in the club's flag unfurling in front of a crowd of up to 80,000.
It will be the first grand final rematch held in round one since 2009 when Geelong exacted some revenge on Hawthorn to mark the beginning of the 'Kennett Curse'.
The Bulldogs have had all summer to stew on how a 19-point lead midway through the third quarter of the grand final eventuated in a 74-point loss.
They conceded 16 of the last 17 goals in the decider, with many questioning how the obliteration will mentally affect the talented group.
But Luke Beveridge and his team have processed the pain of defeat and are now intent on setting up a period of sustained success for their club.
"We don't get last year back," the Bulldogs coach said.
"I'm really grateful for how the players drove us towards a grand final, with everything they went through last year.
"They did an extraordinary job and that's what I focus on.
"The reigning premiers are going to unfurl their flag and all credit to them - that will never go away, that will always be there.
"But objective and our desire is to move on.
"Victory or defeat you have to move on, and now it remains to be seen if we've done the yards that we needed to in preparation."
There is always spice in grand final rematches but this one could become even more fiery as the rivalry between the former AFL battlers builds.
A bizarre storyline has bubbled away over summer about the Bulldogs players being upset about the Demons singing 1990s dance anthem 'Freed From Desire' after the grand final victory.
"It's a song that everyone sings; you see the Australian cricket team sing it, other teams from around the world," Demons coach Simon Goodwin said.
"It was certainly no disrespect to the Western Bulldogs one bit, it was part of a 50-song playlist with a lot of celebration that was going on.
"We've got enormous respect for the Western Bulldogs and how they go about their footy."
