THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB has been in Joan Lawson’s family for as long as she can remember.
Supporting Melbourne with both her grandparents and parents, watching the Dees has always been a family affair.
When Lawson moved from Victoria to Western Australia in 1973, it took 19 years for Lawson to find herself heavily involved in the newly-formed Western Demons in 1992.
“The Dees to me, all my life have just been my flesh and blood, other than my family,” Joan told Melbourne Media.
“To see them play in WA is just amazing.
“They’re part of my life, I love them all even though I get mad sometimes.
“To have two games in Perth it’s a lot of organisation, but we love every minute of it.”
Taking on the role of secretary, Lawson loved when the Demons made the trip across the country to play in her beloved Perth, watching them at both Subiaco and Optus Oval.
When Covid-19 struck the world, the country was flung into lockdown, except Perth.
With WA still open for business the AFL decided to move the finals series to WA and play the Grand Final at Optus Oval for the first time.
“It was unbelievable, the whole thing, the lead up, the media build up, radio shows, all the build up,” Lawson added.
“We went to training and we had our Demon bus which we took to the ground with about 50 of us on it.
“Sitting in the Demon Army knowing we had to do whatever we could being so far away from home, we knew the Demon Army was pleased with what we did.”
Living in Perth, Lawson doesn’t get to watch Melbourne play live too often, so with this year’s fixture seeing the Demon’s play twice in WA, Lawson can’t wait to see her boys run out.
Although Lawson has stepped down as secretary, she remains on the Western Demons committee, Lawson is still heavily involved with functions and bringing the Demon faithful of WA and travelling together.
“I was doing our final function planning today with one of our other committee ladies,” Lawson said.
“Just helping set up stuff like table settings etc.
“I think we’ve got about 26 to 30 of the players families coming to our pre-match this time.
“But our committee is still involved with different jobs we have to do, but it’s really good that we all have little jobs to do.”
Lawson has seen many Dees players over the years, but none have been as liked as Tom McDonald.
The forward-now-back has always been a soft spot in Lawson’s heart, wearing her badge with pride every week.
“He’s just reinvented himself, he just looks so good and he hold those other two guys down there in the backline together, they’re just a great combination,” Lawson added.
Lawson and her involvement in the Western Demons has made WA feel like a home away from home, none more so than in 2021.
The Demons couldn’t be more thankful for Lawson and the WA Demons, being a highlight of our year whenever we step foot in Perth.
With 24 years as secretary, Lawson has dedicated a large part of her life for the red and blue.
