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The official celebration of Melbourne's drought-breaking AFL premiership will feature club greats Neale Daniher and David Neitz.
Melbourne icons Neale Daniher and David Neitz will take centre stage in the AFL club's official premiership celebration at the MCG, presenting the Jock McHale and Norm Smith medals.
Former Demons coach Daniher will hand over the Jock McHale Medal to premiership coach Simon Goodwin on Sunday, while Christian Petracca will receive his best-on-ground award from former club captain Neitz.
The gestures will feature as part of a recreation of the medal presentation ceremony that followed the Demons' drought-breaking grand-final win over the Western Bulldogs in September.
Goodwin will address the red-and-blue faithful after an error by presenter Basil Zempilas infamously denied the coach the chance to do so at the historic season decider in Perth.
The premiership cup will be presented to Goodwin and captain Max Gawn by "a surprise member of the Melbourne alumni", after club great and media identity Garry Lyon did so at Optus Stadium.
Football legend Ron Barassi was an obvious choice to have the honour but was denied the chance on grand final day because of Western Australia's tight COVID-19 border restrictions.
The Demons' official celebration is set to be attended by about 40,000 fans - most of whom were stuck in Victoria's lockdown and unable to witness the club's first premiership in 57 years live at the venue.
"I would encourage everyone to come down and experience it, be a part of the group," Neitz said.
"One of the great things this premiership has done is it's untied so many people from past players.
"Lots of people that have contributed to the club along the way.
"For all of our supporters, 57 years is a long time, so it is a rare thing.
"I think come down, embrace it and be a part of it."
Sunday's celebration will feature entertainment and a full replay of the grand final, which Melbourne won by 74 points after a stunning third-quarter burst broke the game wide open.
