On Saturday, long-suffering and locked-down Demons fans will dare to dream of premiership glory.

The club has the longest premiership drought of any in the AFL and has not played in a grand final for 21 years since its 60-point loss to the dominant 2000 Essendon side.

The Melbourne Football Club has endured some dark days since their 2000 grand final appearance, from their 2009 tanking fiasco to the embarrassment of their 186 points mauling at the hands of Geelong, which is the second-biggest loss in VFL/AFL history.

Despite decades of hardship, Demons fan and Ararat resident Nathan Shalders said he would feel "relieved" if the Demons could end the hoodoo.

"All I know is I will feel relieved, I don't really know how I am going to feel yet," he said

"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but I get very excited when I watch footy so I probably will be emotional."

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Shalders inherited his Melbourne passion with father Neville, a die-hard Demons supporter.

"I just sort of grew into it, my dad was Melbourne, his brother is Melbourne as well, I inherited it really. They're the only games I went to as a kid, they're the only games I was ever taken to," he said.

"I have been barracking for them all my life, I am pretty passionate as is Dad (Neville) and the two girls (Miley and Inika) they are both Melbourne.

"You need to be born into a Melbourne family to be a supporter, not many people choose to be Melbourne supporters."

Shalders remembers the anticipation in the lead up to the 2000 grand final loss to Essendon.

However, he said the feeling was different this time around.

"I was not nearly as nervous then as I am now, I think that we are the best side this year and didn't think we were that year," Shalders said.

"I am looking forward to it. I'm nervous; I have been pretty nervous for a week and a half now.

"I think we are good enough to win, I just dread not winning though it is going to be heart breaking if we don't."

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Although he is disappointed he cannot cheer on his beloved Demons in person, Shalders is happy for the match to be played anywhere if that means he gets to witness a Melbourne premiership.

"I am happy to have it anywhere, I would rather it in Melbourne," he said.

"A Melbourne and Bulldogs grand final at the MCG would be ridiculous, it would be unreal.

"We haven't been in many (grand finals) and we haven't won one for a long time so we cant be fussy where it's played."

Shalders wasn't shy to show his love for Melbourne, even through their darkest days. Now, after 57 years without premiership success, he believes sustained success could be around the corner.

"Everyone knows I am a Melbourne supporter, I have stuck pretty thick with them," he said.

"You are embarrassed to say who you barrack for a lot of the time. But things are looking good for the first time in a long time.

"I think this could be the start of a dynasty, we could be premiership contenders for the next four or five years."

Shalders adored Melbourne forward Garry Lyon growing up, who will present the AFL premiership cup to captain Max Gawn if the Demons can break the drought.

"Growing up it was always Garry Lyon, I love Max Gawn now, I think everyone loves Max," he said.

"I think the whole team really, (Christian) Petracca too, he's a star.

"There are probably two of my favourites, I'm happy with everyone at the moment."

The Great Western stalwart predicts a four-goal victory for Melbourne and Christian Petracca or Clayton Oliver to win the Norm Smith medal.

"I'm thinking 26 points, a bit over four goals. I am pretty confident we're that much better," Shalders said.

"A good close game but as long as we win I don't care.

"I don't think Max (Gawn) could play a game like he did the other week (against Geelong), probably (Christian) Petracca or (Clayton) Oliver, that would be my tip, that's a pretty obvious tip though."

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