The 2021 premiership triumph feels like a distant memory for Melbourne, and despite having 16 premiership stars still on their roster, it seems like an entirely different club.
Since the flag, it has been one disaster after another, which has included, but is not limited to, the potential trading of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver; the Joel Smith drug saga; the lack of a home base; and the allegations against Simon Goodwin's behaviour.
All culminating toward an external review led by an All Blacks figurehead that was supposed to turn the turbulence into clear air.
But taking a look back on where the Demons have been since that drought-breaking flag, there is a statistic that pops off the page, which has been their Achilles heel in the past three years.
Utilising WheeloRatings, Melbourne has 12 games to thank for the dramatic downfall the club has faced, which has been the summit of its checkered past.
Identifying a dozen matches where the Demons were expected to win but didn't from the beginning of the 2022 campaign, ultimately preventing them from turning a dynasty-worthy team into rubble.
2. Round 12, 2025 vs St Kilda
7.21 (63) def. by 14.7 (91)
Everyone knew this game would be in the dozen that have defined Melbourne's downfall since the 2021 premiership.
The 25 per cent accuracy is the pinnacle of the club's forward woes, which have plagued Goodwin for the better part of three years.
The Saints played a strong game in Alice Springs, but weren't supposed to win, while the Demons were tipped to be narrow victors.
Over half of the Melbourne side hit the scoreboard, but only six were goalkickers, pointing directly to their poor shot conversion.
The Demons had produced a strong month of football that put them back in the hunt, but a loss in that manner proved too deflating for the red and blue.
