Any team that has been in finals, waiting to take their place for that one day in September, knows of the ritual and atmosphere as other teams drop by the wayside and they are still in contention.
Finals time is a strange time for all involved in the game - either it is a blank, with a rapid slow down in activity - or it follows a routine of increased interest in training, media floods, and a life through which the game takes precedence.
Since the beginning, finals have evolved, just as the game has, and variation in the system is an accepted part of the competition.
In 1897 - the first year of the VFL competition - a separate finals ladder applied for the top four clubs. Points, not percentage, determined top place on this ladder, and, ultimately, the premiership.
From 1898 to 1900, concentration was placed on enabling more games to be played in the home and away season - fourteen rounds, with the season starting in May - and three rounds of sectional matches determining the premier, with the minor premier at the end of the home and away season holding the right of challenge should they be defeated in the sectional matches.
Melbourne’s against the odds (and expectations) flag win in 1900 led to a rethink of the system for 1901, with sectional matches still flavour of the month - but this was overtaken from 1902 to 1923, and from 1925 to 1930, by another system that saw the top four holding an equal chance to win the flag. This was adapted to allow the minor premiers the right of challenge if defeated in finals matches.
With some variations, this ‘Argus System’ applied for the early decades of the twentieth century, except for 1924, when a system similar to that of 1897 was reintroduced - the only difference to that season being that percentage was considered.
From 1931 to 1971, the Page-McIntyre system held sway.
The top four clubs met after the home and away season. In the first semi final, third played fourth, with the loser omitted. In the second semi final, first played second. The Preliminary Final saw the loser of the second semi final play the winner of the first semi final. The Grand Final was held between the winner of the second semi final and the winner of the Preliminary Final.
The McIntyre final five system came into being in 1972, and was utilised until 1990.
It effectively meant that interest was maintained for longer, as clubs lower on the ladder had a fighting chance to progress - however, first place was certainly prime position, as a bye resulted for the first week of finals - and being in the top three guaranteed a double chance. This affected Melbourne the most in 1988, when the team made the Grand Final for the first time since 1964.
Despite ultimately being overrun by the Hawthorn juggernaut, that week was one to be treasured. Thousands packed the Junction Oval, keen to support the side through every step of training, and the Grand Final Parade packed the streets in an indication of crowd numbers for the game itself.
Similar systems applied throughout the 1990s, catering for the expanded competition.
From 1991 to 1993, there was a final six, and from 1994 to 1999, an early form of the final eight that is in existence today.
Season 2000 saw the introduction of a simplified system, and in this first season, Melbourne had the chance to experience it, progressing to the Grand Final.
It was a season that echoed the sense of awe, optimism and potential for a Melbourne side that carried all before it on a tide of excitement.
And, while the result favoured Essendon, the determination and spirit was the same as it had always been, and a constant that remains to this day.
As the end of Season 2006 approached, hopes were high for the red and blue presence. It all seemed so simple in 2006 - first vs fourth, second vs third, fifth vs eighth, and sixth vs seventh.
Finish in the top four, and you could afford to drop a match. Anything lower than fourth meant that the pressure was on to win every game to hold up the cup on that one day in September.
For Melbourne, it was progress until they hit the Western Australian hurdle, losing to Fremantle in the second semi final at Subiaco, but nonetheless finishing top of all Victorian sides in 2006.
While the distance between that day and this is quite a trying one, there is no doubt that finals await Melbourne in the future, no matter what the system or which opponent.
One of the favourite mantras of master coach Norm Smith was ‘You play football to play in Grand Finals’.
In seasons to come, on that one day in September, Melbourne will be there.
