The Demons have come close to the prized silverware. In the first two seasons of the competition, they missed out on grand final appearances on percentage when just the top two advanced to the decider.

In 2019, the conference system was introduced, and they didn’t qualify despite beating grand finalists Carlton by a game, while in 2020, they won their semi-final over Greater Western Sydney, but the season’s end was scrapped due to COVID-19.

In 2021, they made the preliminary final but lost to the Crows and now have made the grand final twice in one year.

But despite this history of near-chances, they decided what would fulfil them was each other and in the pre-season introduced a weekly “Demon Spirit” award, celebrating the recipient with some crowd-surfing that’s become known as the “Melbourne mosh”.

Harris explained in a club video that it had quickly become “a pretty significant award”, and recognises the “Demon Spirit” in anyone in the program.

“I believe Dais [Pearce], in conjunction with a few others, came up with the award and came up with recognising a particular person,” said Harris.

“The winner of the Demon Spirit Award is the person who displays in that particular week the best Demon Spirit, which Demon Spirit is all the little things, caring about your teammates and fellow colleagues, and then also giving everything you’ve got obviously on field, off field.

The winner picks a song - generally it is a “pump-up song”.

“Then they stand up on something, and then we all mosh them, which is crowd-surfing, but Dais, this is her idea and [it’s] a great feeling,” said Harris.

“And the idea is that someone’s just let loose and just enjoys the experience. And it’s been hilarious. Like, it obviously is funny. I’ve been lucky enough to be moshed twice.”

That ‘Melbourne mosh’ could see the Demons surf towards the ultimate success as they take on the Lions at Brighton Homes Arena at 2.40pm AEST.

AFLW GRAND FINAL EXPERT TIPS

LIBBY BIRCH

Selection: Melbourne by nine points
Best on ground: Karen Paxman
Why: You’ll have to wait and see why! Tune in!

PETER RYAN

Selection: Melbourne by six points
Best on ground: Olivia Purcell
Why: Melbourne can record an upset victory with their strength over the ball through Purcell, Karen Paxman, Lily Mithen and Eliza West enough to rattle the Lions who carry the weight of expectation into the game.

JAKE NIALL

Selection: Brisbane Lions by 12 points
Best on ground: Emily Bates
Why: Brisbane have the stronger attack, can more than match the Dees around the ball via Anderson and Bates and have a small home advantage.

EMMA KEARNEY

Selection: Brisbane by 14 points
Best on ground: Nat Grider
Why: The Lions have been the standout team all year and playing in hot conditions at their home ground it will make it a tough ask for Melbourne. Their pressure will overwhelm the Dees in the end.

SARAH BURT

Selection: Brisbane by five points
Best on ground: Ally Anderson
Why: The Lions defence will be hard to beat, and without having to travel and the advantage of having seen the ground before, I think they’ll pull through - just.

MARNIE VINALL

Selection: Brisbane by 17 points
Best on ground: Sophie Conway
Why: While both sides have made a home around the top of the ladder and had incredibly strong seasons, I have Brisbane getting over the line because of their star power across the park, intense pressure and ability to contest hard for four quarters. Also - when Courtney Hodder is on, she’s on.

IZZY HUNTINGTON

Selection: Brisbane by 12 points
Best on ground: Kate Lutkins
Why: Daisy will lead the Dees out hard but Brisbane are just too dominant and well drilled. Will put on a show at home.

ABBEY HOLMES

Selection: Brisbane by 13 points
Best on ground: Greta Bodey
Why: Brisbane have been the strongest, most consistent side all year, and it’s hard to see weaknesses in their side going into Sunday.