Photo: GOLD 104.3

It’s a new-found love, but one that Melbourne radio host Christian O’Connell has embraced.

After moving to Australia three and half years ago, O’Connell had to make the life-defining decision of who to barrack for.

Choosing to go against the advice of many, he adopted the red and blue as his own – and is now a die-hard Demon.

“I’m really glad I decided to go for the Dees,” O’Connell told Melbourne Media.

“For most people, the AFL team that you support is given to you at birth, you don’t get to choose.

“When I moved here, I had to choose, it was more important than anything else.

“No one cared where I was going to be living or where my kids were going to go to school. It was always, ‘who will you barrack for?’.”

The decision saw O’Connell wholeheartedly join the Melbourne faithful, becoming a loyal supporter from day-dot.

And while three years may not seem like a long time, he has developed the unique understanding of what it truly means to be a Dees supporter, embracing the pain of the past and feeling hope for the future.

“I’ve bought into the history of the club, the years of frustration and ambition. They deserve this,” O’Connell said.

“I have only been a fan for three and a half years, but I’m excited. I want them in the Grand Final, I feel like they deserve it.”

O’Connell, who is based in Melbourne for work, said that while being in lockdown has been tough, the team has alleviated some of the hardship for himself and fellow supporters.

“In a really tough year, the joy that the team have brought to their fans and even non-fans has been incredible,” he said.

“Despite everything, they’ve given us incredible games to watch.

“There are many shames about COVID and lockdown, but it is really sad that the team and the Melbourne fans won’t be together for the final tonight.”

Friday night’s Preliminary Final will see the Dees battle it out against the Cats for a spot in the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

And after such a long history without premiership success, O’Connell understands its importance.

“I think those who are neutral fans will be wondering who they will barrack for, but those who are proper football fans, they’ll be cheering on the Dees,” O’Connell said.  

“It’s about where they’ve come from in history and where they’ve come from even after last year.

“How they’re playing now, you’ve got to admire the transformations that they’ve made, it’s incredible how they’ve turned it around.

“And that’s the feel-good story right there.”

You can listen to The Christian O'Connell Show weekdays from 6am on GOLD 104.3.