SOME players are just built for finals.
It’s hard to know exactly why, but it’s true, and there’s no better example than Jack Viney.
The Demons’ vice-captain, who will play his 150th game on Grand Final day, averaged 21 disposals during the home and away season, but has upped that to 31 across his side’s first two finals.
“My focus going into these games is just keeping things as simple as possible,” Viney told Melbourne Media.
“Just doing the basic things really well and consistently throughout the course of the game and it seems to have held me in good stead.
“You make a lot of sacrifices throughout the year to put yourself in those positions, so it’s great to have those opportunities.”
While Viney, and some of his big-name teammates, have shone in Melbourne’s September victories, the 27-year-old believes it’s the depth in the line-up that has been critical to its success so far.
“I think the strength of our team has been the performance of everyone,” he said.
“Obviously we dominated the All Australian team so our stars have performed, but it’s been matched by a lot of our young players as well.
“We’ve just had so many role players perform at such a strong level consistently.
“I’ve been blown away with the composure of our younger players.
“(Jake) Bowey has only played a handful of games, but he’s come in and stepped up and performed strongly in finals.
“Same goes for Trent Rivers, Luke Jackson, Tom Sparrow, James Jordon – they’re really young as well.
“I’ve been so impressed with how they’ve performed on big occasions.”
But it’s no coincidence these players have been able to come in and do their job, with strong foundations built after a near-miss in 2020.
“I think there has been a big trust and buy-in to the game plan,” Viney said.
“It was a process we started and spoke about in the pre-season, like most teams do.
“We addressed what we want to stand for and what values we want to live and die by for the upcoming season, and guys really bought into that.
“And then you get a couple of wins under your belt early and away you go.”
The Dees will get their chance to break a 57-year premiership drought at Optus Stadium on Saturday evening, where members will be represented in the stands.
