MELBOURNE’S drought-breaking 2021 premiership meant a lot to many, but few were as attached to the Demons in September as former skipper, Brad Green.

The classy left footer, who donned the No.18 in his 254 games with the club, is not just a past player, but also a member of its Board of Directors.

Reconnecting with the Dees in an official capacity at the end of last year, Green has helped the club’s off-field resurgence and enjoyed the on-field rise to the ultimate glory.

“It’s amazing to experience what the club’s gone through this year,” Green told Melbourne Media.

“It’s special and it’s great to get our hands on it.”

Green’s playing career expanded over 13 seasons from 2000, and his love for the red and blue has only grown stronger since hanging up the boots.

“This place is like my second family,” he said.

“It’s my football club, it’s our football club – our supporters’, our members’ football club, and it should feel special to all of us.

“It’s a huge achievement that doesn’t come around very often.

“They’re hard to win and let’s celebrate it.”

Those celebrations will continue for fans at the MCG on December 5, and again when the club’s best and fairest player is crowned at Crown Palladium on December 17.

And while the 23 boys who took to Optus Stadium will be soaking it up the most, the premiership has also strengthened the relationships between Demons of years gone by.

“We’ve got a pretty close group of past players, led by (Rod) ‘Balls’ Grinter who is president of our past players association, and the connection that we have with all those guys is huge,” Green said.

“And it’s only grown us closer.

“The connections, the mateships that we’ve got, and the bond that we’re still going to have, is built through this.

“It’s built through mateship, it’s built through playing with each other, but it’s built because we’re here to win flags.”

That’s exactly what Melbourne did on the last Saturday in September, on a day which proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions for Green.

“You could say I was nervous in the third quarter, but it was special,” he said.

“I was nervous in the lead up because it’s a long day leading up to a night Grand Final, but it was a special moment that I’ll never forget.”

Since returning home from Perth, the Demons’ premiership cup has been doing the rounds, and Green has been fortunate enough to spend a day with the precious silverware.

“It was huge for my family,” he said.

“Driving it in, showing my boys, Caty my partner, and close friends that are mad Melbourne supporters.

“Just to see the smiles on peoples’ faces when you show them the cup, it’s a bit surreal.

“They say, ‘Is this the real one or is it a replica?’, and I say, ‘No, it’s the real one’.

“You feel a bit like Santa Claus, you’re bringing them presents – it’s amazing.

“It’s such an achievement for the whole football club and to see it in real life – a lot of people couldn’t get over there and watch the flag, but to have the cup back here in Melbourne is amazing.”

Fellow Dees fans will also have the opportunity to get their hands on the trophy, with The Demons’ Cup Tour now underway.