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.
Green sparked applause when he made it clear Clayton Oliver would not be traded, saying he was looking forward to seeing the disgruntled midfielder in the centre square in round one next season.
Fellow star onballer Jack Viney won his second Keith "Bluey" Truscott trophy as the Demons' best and fairest player, narrowly beating captain Max Gawn by 407 votes to 405.
Alex Neal-Bullen, who will be traded to Adelaide, was third on 402.
The dinner also featured a standing ovation for Angus Brayshaw, who reflected on his playing career after he was among players awarded life memberships.
Brayshaw, 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.
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.
"Melbourne people stand up, stand tall in tough times. Look no further than Ron Barassi and Jim Stynes," he said.
"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 was 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," he 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."
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.
As with Oliver, there was much speculation about Petracca's future at Melbourne before he committed to the Demons last month in a club statement.
