Dear Members,

I have some fantastic news to share with you, and it’s a moment worth celebrating.

Today, I am proud to announce that Kozzy Pickett has signed a long-term contract extension with the club, which will see him remain in the red and blue until at least the end of the 2034 AFL season.

As we know, and witnessed again on Monday, Kozzy is one of the most dynamic and electrifying players in the competition, and securing his signature is a major moment.

His energy, talent and passion for the game are clear, and every time he pulls on the red and blue jumper he does so with pride.

He is a player who lifts his teammates and brings voice to the Demon faithful, and now, we get to continue building our future with our No.36 right at the heart of it.

This commitment is the result of strong relationships, a shared belief in where we are heading, and the incredible environment we have created across the entire club.

We couldn’t be prouder that Kozzy, his partner Ardu and their daughter Belleny have chosen to extend their time as Demons, and I hope this news brings as much joy to you, our members, as it does to our players, coaches and staff.

I also wanted to take a moment to acknowledge two giants of our club, who were recognised Tuesday night with one of football’s highest honours.

On behalf of everyone at the club, I extend my congratulations to Garry Lyon and Daisy Pearce on their inductions into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Garry’s contribution as a player, leader and proud Melbourne person has left a lasting impact on our club. His career was defined by courage, class, and a fierce loyalty to the red and blue.

Daisy’s story is just as extraordinary. As a trailblazer, captain and role model, she helped lay the foundations for the AFLW competition, leading and inspiring generations of young women.  

She made history as our inaugural AFLW premiership captain and is a true pioneer of the game.

We are incredibly proud of both Garry and Daisy, two club greats who embody the Demon Spirit and what it means to be a Melbourne person.

Another man who is red and blue, through and through, is of course Neale Daniher AO.

It was incredible to come together on Monday alongside my former coach in Neale, to celebrate Big Freeze 11 and continue to fight ‘the Beast' that is motor neurone disease.

Although we didn’t get the result on the field, it was about much more than a game of footy. From the sea of red and blue down Daniher’s Way, to all the blue beanies in the stands, it was a day filled with emotion and also perspective.

I think it’s safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Neale and his family made their way around the ‘G, and through the guard of honour. It was amazing.

Neale is an inspiration to us all, and Monday was a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have.

Thank you to the Demon faithful for braving the wintery conditions – the Big Freeze lived up to its name – and being part of a moment that will be remembered for a very long time.

As Simon Goodwin said post-match, while it was really disappointing not to come away with the win, we hope you are starting to see the cohesion among the group, and a brand of football you can all be proud of.

This week presents another big challenge as the side head interstate to take on Port Adelaide. There is a real sense of belief within the group which, I have no doubt, will provide us with a strong platform to launch into the second half of the season.

Our AFLW group is also tracking well, having commenced pre-season training last month. There’s a real hunger and excitement within the group and a desire to take our game to another level, as we prepare to embark on the 10th season of the competition.

The team recently completed a pre-season camp in Inverloch, helping to set the tone for the months ahead. We can’t wait to see what season 10 holds for our team. Bring on Round 1.

In closing, thank you for all of the ongoing support. There’s a lot to look forward to, and I hope you are excited to be on this journey with us.
 
See you at the footy again soon.

Go Dees,
Brad Green