Byrnes brings success to Dees
New Demon Shannon Byrnes says he wants to bring his knowledge learned from Geelong and teach his new teammates what it’s like to achieve the ultimate success
The 28 year-old dual Geelong premiership player said winning the 2007 and 2009 grand finals was “as good as it gets”.
“It’s the Holy Grail and there is a reason that everybody wants it - that’s because it’s the best couple of weeks of your life, following it,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“You remember it for the rest of your life and the supporters get around you and your family.
“It’s something that I hope I can explain to the Melbourne boys and make them want to be part of that, because there’s nothing better than a premiership.”
Byrnes became the first player acquired by Melbourne via free agency, when he signed a two-year deal on Thursday.
“I’m just happy that the decision’s been made. It’s been a crazy week and something I haven’t been involved in before, having been at Geelong for so long,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a relief, but there is also excitement at what lies ahead with Melbourne.”
Byrnes said he cherished his time at the Cats, but said the club was entering a new era and it was time to explore other opportunities - hence joining the Demons.
“I’ve been privileged to play with some of the greats of the game, but it got to the stage where the young guys are coming through,” he said.
“I still felt I had a lot to offer and I was getting pushed out of the side for younger players to have their go, which was fine.
“There are some real young guns coming up for Geelong, but I just had to seek opportunities elsewhere, and Melbourne was perfect for me.”
But Byrnes said he sees genuine talent emerging at the Demons and is “excited by the young group”.
“Me coming in from such an older group, I’ll get a chance to have a role, where I didn’t really have one at Geelong,” he said.
“I feel that I’ve got a lot to offer in teaching and mentoring a lot of those younger boys, and that’s something I’m really excited about in coming to the club as well.
“It’s a role that I’ve never really embraced before, but it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. Hopefully that’s something I can provide for the club.”
Despite making the move voluntarily, the 108-gamer said it was the hardest decision he has had to make.
“It’s certainly the toughest process I’ve ever gone through,” he said.
“I leave a lot of great mates and memories at Geelong, but having said that, I’m just as excited about the memories and mates I’m going to make at Melbourne.
“It’s a new start, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Byrnes, who played as a small goalkicking forward/midfielder at Geelong, said he expects to spend much of his time in attack at the Demons.
“I can see myself playing a lot up forward and I think there is a role for me up forward with Mitch Clark and [Rohan] Bail and those types,” he said.
“I can still play in the midfield if need be and I’d imagine that most of my time would be forward, but I’ll be ready to go through the midfield if I was needed.”
Although eager to meet his new teammates, Byrnes said his strongest connection at the Demons was his former junior coach.
“Kelly O’Donnell, who works in recruiting and was an assistant here as well, was one of my junior coaches at Murray Bushrangers,” he said.
“I know him, and Aaron Greaves is from the Geelong area and he’s an assistant coach.
“Pretty much in the AFL, you get to know all of the boys who play AFL and when they know each other, it becomes a bit of a brotherhood. I’m aware and know a fair few of the boys in passing, but I’m looking forward to getting to know them properly and be mates with them.”
Ultimately, Byrnes said his aim for 2013 was to play every match and help the team towards its climb up the ladder.
“Myself personally, I’d like to be playing every game and being an important part of a side, which in 2009 and 2010 was what I was,” he said.
“I just want to have that opportunity again, and I still feel like my best football is ahead of me and I’ll be part of an exciting and improving team.”