THE number 12. 

When you ponder it for a moment, it’s a fascinating one for the Melbourne Football Club. 

Melbourne has won 12 premierships, with its most recent coming in 1964. And although it’s been a long 54 years without one, the Demons did play in 12 finals series from 1987 to 2006, quashing the notion that the club’s been a total basket case since ‘64. For those of a certain vintage, they will remember some outstanding finals sides coached by John Northey (1987-91), Neil Balme (1994) and Neale Daniher (1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004-06). Ultimately, the Demons didn’t go all the way, but there were still some great wins among them.

Even when you multiply 12 twice, it equates to 24 – the number of years Melbourne went without playing in grand finals: from 1964 to 1988. 

And from 1988 to 2000, when Melbourne made its second grand final since ’64, it was ... you guessed it, 12 years. 

Oh, and in case you missed it on the weekend – perhaps you were on Mars (it’s possible, thanks to Elon) or better still, you were on a mobile reception-free hike in remote Tasmania – Melbourne ended “12 years of misery” by reaching its first finals series since 2006 (featuring a team that had a total games experience of 1964 games – can you believe that?).

And didn’t it go down well with the Melbourne faithful!

Coach Simon Goodwin’s quote of “12 years or misery” post-match was the stuff of movie/book titles.

“I’m just so happy for our supporters right now,” he said.

“They’ve had 12 years of misery, but now they’ve got a team that they can really get in behind and support and build some momentum from here.

“Clearly, as a club, we've had a lot of expectation put on us and not playing finals for 12 years, we carry a lot of that expectation as a team. This has been a new playing group for a while now and they've carried that expectation and they've owned it.

“There's been a lot of challenges along the way, but to continue to stay in the moment like they did was terrific.

“It's a big step for our footy club and a really important one and something they should be incredibly proud of.”

Despite the No.12 being prominent in Melbourne’s history, it seems, though, it’s starting to gain a taste for a new number: No.13. 

That’s how many wins Melbourne now has after it produced its most important – and arguably finest – win of the modern era against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

It was a moment to savour, particularly for the likes of Nathan Jones, who – in season No.13 (there’s that number again) – will taste finals again.

“What that does is create a new dawn,” the co-captain said post-match.

“It’s huge for the group and the footy club … and now you move forward and give yourself an opportunity.

“I’m bloody proud.”

To further emphasise the enormity of it for Jones, his most recent finals appearance was his eighth AFL game. On Sunday, he became just the fourth Melbourne player to reach 260 games. (Oh, and for the record, he’s now just 13 games away from moving into second place, behind the great David Neitz, for the most Melbourne matches played.)

And what about the player who wears No.13 for the Demons: Clayton ‘Clarry’ Oliver. Few players have had the influence he’s had in their first 56 AFL matches.

In almost 40 years of watching Melbourne play, I would have no hesitation of placing Oliver in my ‘best 22’ of red and blue players I’ve seen.

Oliver’s rise again this season, on the back of becoming one of the youngest winners to claim Melbourne’s best and fairest award – he is also a chance to win this year’s Brownlow Medal – has been critical in the club’s quest for ... premiership No.13. 

Hell, even the brilliantly talented Allen Jakovich, who donned the No.13 guernsey from 1991-94 – and in the process kicked 50 goals quicker than any other player in VFL/AFL history – re-emerged the other week after years out of the spotlight.

The timing seemed right for the dynamic No.13 to be back in focus. And his appearance on The Front Bar and on Melbourne Media reinforced his status as one of the game’s greatest cult figures – certainly of the AFL era.

So, what is it about Melbourne and No.13 at the moment? Whether it’s statistical, quirky or spooky, it seems to be a number that’s playing a part in Melbourne’s rise.

And now that Melbourne has secured a place in this year’s finals, all who love the red and blue should dare to dream. The club doesn’t just want to make up the numbers, and it is fully aware that there is still a hell of a lot of work to do. And it won’t be handed on a platter!

But as the great Neale Daniher proudly told the club – players, coaches and staff – earlier in the year, the question should be asked: Why not? Why can’t Melbourne do it. It’s entirely appropriate to draw on people like Daniher during this ride.

Melbourne can also draw inspiration from two teams that dared to dream in recent times: Western Bulldogs (2016) and Richmond (2017). And wouldn’t it be something for the competition to see a hat-trick of remarkable premiers? Could Melbourne be the next ‘one’ of these ‘three’ to do it.

Again, ‘one’ and ‘three’: those numbers are coming together again ... just saying! 

The Demons are now in a competition of eight teams. Ten teams are out of contention. The Dees have one home-and-away game to play – and not an easy one at that, against GWS Giants at the MCG – before they’re in a finals series with seven others. The competition is greater, but fewer teams are in the mix.

It might just be that Melbourne could land its 13^th premiership in 2018. This isn’t the stuff of Dumb and Dumber where “you’re saying there is a chance”. This is fair dinkum. There is a genuine chance.

And how good would that be for all who bleed red and blue?

Not since the legendary Ron Barassi, who wore No.31 – try flipping those numbers around and see what comes of it – held aloft the premiership cup in 1964 has there been a better day for Melbourne supporters since. And that’s for those who were old enough to be born and remember it! Because don’t forget, a 53-year old Melbourne supporter, who was born in 1965, has never seen a red and blue flag – let alone an almost 42-year-old supporter (yours truly).

Oh, and at the time of writing this, on Sunday night, it was only, you guessed it, 13 days until September ... and yes Demon fans, Melbourne will be there!