Steve and Michelle Oliver may not have waited as long as many other Melbourne supporters for a drought-breaking AFL premiership.
But on Saturday, when the Melbourne Demons compete for their first flag since 1964, the Olivers are sure to be among the loudest, and proudest, supporters along the Murray River.
Officially on the bandwagon six years ago when son Clayton was drafted to the Dees with pick four in the draft, this year's AFL grand final is a culmination of years of hard work for the Oliver family.
“It’s pretty unreal, to think about all of Clayton's hard work and the team’s hard work,” Michelle said at their Echuca home earlier this week.
“We see things they are doing on-field and think, we haven’t seen those things in the last six years."
Played at Perth's Optus Stadium, Saturday's game will be a vastly different experience than what the Olivers imagined for Clayton's first grand final appearance, unable to be there in person due to border restrictions.
Instead they will have a front row seat from the comfort of their living room, with Steve admitting it will mean "open slather" for any choice words at the big screen.
After last week riding the waves of Sunday's Brownlow Medal count, where Clayton finished third behind fellow Echuca boy Ollie Wines, Michelle said she was relieved to now move on and focus on the bigger occasion - the grand final.
Both parents say they haven't felt too many nerves ahead of the game, though Tuesday finally brought about the first stomach flutters for Michelle.
Steve said he was the most nervous ahead of the Demons’ match against Brisbane, hoping the team would clear that first, and often hardest, hurdle.
"Geelong I was fine, and then you have to wait two weeks so you don’t want to be thinking about it all that time or you’ll drive yourself mad by the time the grand final comes around,” he said.
Thinking back on Clayton's football journey, Michelle said there had been many sliding doors moments around their decision to move Clayton to Mooroopna and into the Murray Bushrangers zone.
Clayton would eventually go on to become a draft bolter in his top age year, rising from as far back as 78 to become a top 10 pick after rebounding from injuries in the second half of the season.
In the end, all the decisions, and the commitment to getting Clayton to the big time, was all worth it.
“He was told by the Pioneers he wasn’t good enough or wouldn’t make it,” Michelle said.
“But Blake Campbell said ‘don’t worry, I’ll play you in the seniors at Mooroopna, you are good enough'.
“Then the following year, he went and played under-18s at the Bushrangers and by that time already had a year in the seniors and it was a hell of a lot easier.
"Clayton, not getting a game in the Pioneers, it was probably the best thing for him.
“If we had decided to stick with them, I’m not sure where Clayton would have got to, probably not where he is today.
“And it was his decision too; he wanted to go to GV Grammar because Ollie went there, so off he went."
Not having the easiest road to the AFL is something that Clayton's parents feel has put their son in good stead during his early years in the AFL system.
"He had a lot of upside and potential; he had so much more to learn,” Steve said.
“And he's always listened to the right people."
As Clayton transitioned into the AFL, his parents have continued to follow Clayton's football journey closely, often travelling on "mini-holidays" for interstate games alongside other parents and players’ families.
“It is a different life, along with the parents; they’ve all sacrificed for their children,” Michelle said.
"We are quite close to about half the parents.
"Some of the older boys’ parents we haven’t met, but most of the younger ones, we’ve seen all their journeys. It’s one in, all in.”
The Olivers talk affectionally about many of the players, including Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, Bailey Fritsch and Mitch Hannan.
Another player they will be looking out for on Saturday, albeit in different colours, is Western Bulldog Josh Schache, who was a good friend of Clayton's growing up.
"Josh would come to our unit after school and the boys would get collected by bus to Wangaratta for their (Bushrangers) trainings,” Michelle said.
"He is too nice, he hasn’t got a mean streak in him,” Steve added.
While Steve and Michelle won't be there in person to cheer on Clayton, it is the Melbourne faithful they are thinking of the most.
“We’ve got quite close to the Demon Army. It will be nice for the supporters,” Michelle said.
"But I do feel for them, to have supported for so long and not be able to go to the grand final.
“I’m gutted we can’t go, but gutted for the supporters who have waited so long, and even went to the 1964 grand final.
“But hopefully back-to-back next year."
Steve though is happy to stay at home if it means one thing - that the Demons, and their son Clayton, can bring home the premiership cup after Saturday.