ON EASTER Sunday – as I popped out to pick up the eggs left by the Easter Bunny at the local supermarket – I encountered a passionate Melbourne supporter.

I spoke to him at length. You couldn’t wipe the smile from his face after Melbourne’s 26-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG the day before.  

After the chat, I proceeded to pick up the eggs – it was somewhat of an Easter hunt, given most people had scavenged them earlier in the day(s) – I noticed one man in the checkout queue sporting the red velvet MFC motif on his navy blue windcheater.  

Another woman wandering the supermarket aisle had her MFC cap on.

Within a short space of time in a suburban supermarket, I noticed three Melbourne supporters proudly talking or sporting the clothing of their team. As I noticed no other member of the public wearing any football paraphernalia – except for one man wearing his North Melbourne jumper – it stood out. 

What it reinforced to me – aside from the fact that I wasn’t alone in hunting for Easter eggs on Easter Sunday – was that footy means so much to so many people, and a win does so much to people’s spirits.

It might sound like stating the bleeding obvious, but this was not just a regulation home and away victory. Where Melbourne has been and come from, it was a significant moment.  

Paul Roos spoke about the hype surrounding round one in the build-up. Not surprisingly, the coach was pretty matter of fact about it. He simply said it was important if a side won, but added that there was always next week if the team lost. But he did concede that a win would be important for Melbourne.  

Round one gets built up to finals-like proportions in today’s world, which is fair enough given it’s the start of a new season, but the reality is that it is just one week in a 23-round journey.

Still, the fact Melbourne had not won since 2005 – that’s right, when John Howard was prime minister, Twitter wasn’t around, the iPhone was yet to be yet released, England won the Ashes and Roos said ‘Here it is’ – only highlighted the importance of this win.

Round one conjures up some uncomfortable moments for Melbourne supporters since Melbourne’s stirring win over Essendon in round one, 2005, which honoured the tragic death of Troy Broadbridge.

Miserable losses to Hawthorn (2008 and 2010), Brisbane Lions (2012) and Port Adelaide (2013) – among others – were tough to swallow. Aside from some promise in 2010, the other losses set bitter tones for those respective seasons.

So it was only natural that this one meant so much to the red and blue faithful.

And while it’s easy to get carried away with round one – win, lose or draw – it was fair and reasonable for the Melbourne fans to lap up this victory, as there was plenty to be excited about.

Whether it was the eagerly-awaited unveiling of Jesse Hogan, the impressive debut by mature-age rookie Aaron vandenBerg – already an astute selection by national recruiting manager Jason Taylor and his team – or the further progress of a couple of Jacks: of the Viney and Watts variety. There was a different look to the team, in terms of personnel and the way it played. The slick ball movement and attacking nature caught the eye of many.

No doubt the challenge for Melbourne is to back up its first round performance.

And after coming up against the 17^th AFL club in round one, it will front the 18^th and newest AFL club in the nation’s capital on Saturday.

It’s a great opportunity to win two in a row for the first time since rounds 13 and 14, 2011. And with Greater Western Sydney notching up a win against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, it promises to be a fascinating clash at StarTrack Oval – better known as Manuka Oval – in round two.