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Simon Goodwin wants Melbourne fans to go west, saying they are like an extra player in the Demons' barnstorming AFL finals campaign.
The Melbourne coach called on the league's airline sponsor to put on extra flights for fans ahead of Saturday week's preliminary final against West Coast in Perth.
"It's a long way to go, Perth, it's clearly very expensive," Goodwin said.
"So the more flights on, the better for us.
"I would certainly encourage that — I certainly don't run an airline though."
Goodwin said his players are feeding off the energy of their fans as Melbourne revel in their first finals series for 12 years.
They are now in their first preliminary final since 2000, when they lost the grand final to Essendon.
"We're in the midst of our supporters really getting in behind our footy team and giving us great belief, inspiring us to new heights," Goodwin said.
"You can see the joy that our supporters are getting from this journey.
"They do, they inspire us — they're like another player out there.
"From what I hear, it's a 50-50 ticket split, so Virgin, put some flights on and enable our supporters to get over there."
Melbourne enjoyed plenty of support at the MCG on Friday night, with 90,152 supporters crammed in to witness the 16.8 (104) to 10.11 (71) victory over Hawthorn.
The week prior, 91,767 fans enjoyed the victory over Geelong, but Melbourne are unlikely to enjoy that kind of support in the west, with the notoriously vocal home crowd looking to give their side the edge in what could be another tight encounter.
However, after beating Geelong in the elimination final, Friday night's resounding win means Melbourne are full of momentum.
While West Coast at home is a tough assignment, it will hold no fears for the Demons after their big round 22 win over the Eagles at Perth Stadium.
"But it's a new game, so we know what we're up against — we're up against a really strong footy club," Goodwin said.
"They have some experienced players who are back in the team, who didn't play that day — as we have.
"It's going to be a different-looking game, but one we're really looking forward to."
Goodwin is confident that Angus Brayshaw will be ready for the preliminary final.
Brayshaw was able to play out the match after the midfielder received a head knock in the last quarter and briefly left the field.
Demons co-captain Jack Viney was best afield, further justifying the club's strategy to give him an extended break late in the season as he recovered from another foot injury.
"He's been incredible, but I said this last week and I will say it again — he had a five-week preparation heading into this finals series," Goodwin said.
"We really held him back and his game [on Friday night] was outstanding."
The preliminary finals will mark a changing of the guard in the AFL.
It will be the first time since 2002 that the final four teams have not included at least one of Sydney, Geelong or Hawthorn.
AAP
Topics: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000
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