There were no huge crowds singing “It’s a Grand Old Flag’, no food vans and no players holding aloft the Premiership Cup.

But a stream of die-hard Demons fans came to the MCG on Sunday to shout “Go Dees”, kick footies and rave about Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca.

Sam Holloway and Tom Shiels celebrate outside the MCG on Sunday.Credit:Chris Hopkins

Lifelong Demons fan Jordan McCleery felt he should be at Melbourne’s spiritual home to mark the Dees’ first grand final win in 57 years.

“Just to be amongst the fans. I’ve been a long-suffering fan for a good long time and you’ve got to make the most of it don’t you? I’m just happy to be around everyone and to celebrate the good times,” he said.

“I got up at 6am and got here at 7am so I’m pretty much running on coffee right now.”

It was “a bit disappointing” not to have full celebrations on Sunday, he said.

Members of the Demon Army got up early and headed to the ’G on Sunday morning to celebrate their team’s win.Credit:Chris Hopkins

“We have broken a 57-year drought. It’s disappointing we all can’t come together in a large group, but hopefully in the next few months we can gather together with the players and really celebrate here in Melbourne.”

John O’Callaghan, 51, was at the MCG on Sunday on his birthday and said it was great to celebrate the flag with his 11-year-old son Will – a fellow Demons fan.

“It’s amazing, absolutely phenomenal,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“It’s been years in the making, a lot of sweat and tears. And here we are today. I’m still digesting it all.”

“It’s sad that we couldn’t be in the MCG for the game but this is a brilliant birthday present.”

He and his family watched the grand final in their Richmond home while sipping champagne and eating from a cheese and charcuterie board.

Son Will said: “I feel really excited about the Demons. This is probably just the first of many premierships I’ll get to see.”

James Dowling, 43, who was kicking a football in Yarra Park with his son Cooper, 7, said Demons fans like them would be feeling “ecstatic”.

James and Cooper Dowling having a kick at the ’G on Sunday.Credit:Chris Hopkins

“But it’s probably still a bit hard to believe.”

Mr Dowling has seen Melbourne lose two grand finals in his life so it felt “amazing” to win on Saturday night.

Tom Shiels, 25, of Fitzroy North, and Sam Holloway, 26, of Camberwell, have been going to Demons games together since they were kids and came on Sunday to sit opposite the statue of past Demon great Jim Stynes.

Mr Shield said being a Demons fan, “there hasn’t been much success, obviously, but you want to keep supporting your team, no matter what happens.

“But I didn’t really think this day would come, not at all. I didn’t think this day would come,” he said.

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