THIS is only Jordan Lewis' second season at Melbourne, but even he understands the magnitude of the club securing a finals berth for the first time since 2006.
Following a long drought, the Demons will be part of September action after accounting for West Coast by 17 points at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday afternoon.
The co-vice-captain said long-suffering Demons fans deserved to experience the excitement that comes with playing finals.
"It's been a long 12 years and although a lot of the players that won yesterday probably haven't been around for that long, we probably still feel the burden of that," Lewis said.
"A win yesterday guarantees ourselves a finals spot and it's important (to think) that our job this year isn't finished.
"We've got a game this week against another top-eight side (Greater Western Sydney), which is going to prove to be a very difficult task for us."
The four-time Hawthorn premiership player said the Demons players would not have been human if they did not feel the level of expectation placed on them and the club.
"We play a high-pressure game and the history of Melbourne probably adds to that pressure, and we hadn't beaten a top-eight side which also adds to that," Lewis said.
"It sort of takes me back to when we (the Hawks) beat Geelong in 2013 (after 11 consecutive losses) and you do feel a lot of relief and it's one hurdle you've got over."
Given Lewis is the only player on Melbourne's list with premiership experience, his role will be vital for a young team heading into September.
Nathan Jones is the only player left on the list who was part of Melbourne's last finals campaign in 2006, while ex-Bombers Jake Melksham and Michael Hibberd have each appeared in a final for their former club.
"I think you come into a finals series and a lot our guys haven't been there before," Lewis said.
"So they'll be curious about what it's like. It's important to understand that it's the same game at the end of the day. The pressure rises a little bit and it becomes more contested, but that's our brand of football and that's what stands up quite well in finals."
In typical fashion, ruckman Max Gawn took a different tack to explaining how much of a role he would play in preparing for the big games coming up.
"I feel like that's something myself, Nathan (Jones) and Jack Viney can bring as leaders as well (as Lewis)," Gawn said.
"Not that I have been there at this time of year. I did win a medal in my under-13s basketball grand final campaign so I do have that finals experience which helps.
"But we'll be leaning on Jordan for this."
Both Lewis and ruckman Max Gawn turned out for Footy Colours day to raise funds for Fight Cancer Foundation's education support programs across Australia.
