BELTING out the lyrics of Melbourne Football Club's theme song was second nature for Terang Mortlake export Jordie McKenzie on Sunday, despite it being his first win with the Demons.
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The 19-year-old would not have been blamed for forgetting the words during Melbourne's winning drought but the jingle It's a Grand Old Flag is also the celebratory tune at the Bloods.
"It's the same as Terang so I've sung that song a lot," he said.
"I know the words off by heart."
McKenzie finally got to experience an AFL victory in his sixth game in the red and blue guernsey.
He rotated off the bench and worked hard in the midfield in the round three clash against Adelaide at the MCG.
Poor accuracy in the first half kept the home side to one goal but a six-goal-to-none second half was enough to seal the deal in the low scoring encounter.
"It was awesome, everyone was pretty excited," McKenzie said.
"It was my first win, including practice matches.
"We started off a bit slowly but we started to click in the second half. "We slammed some goals on at the end and it was good to come away with the win."
McKenzie played his entire junior football career at Terang Mortlake and also had a stint at the Geelong Falcons.
He was the number one rookie draftee in 2008 and was elevated onto Melbourne's senior list in June last year.
The speedy onballer admitted the transition from grass roots football to the big league was huge.
"I'm still adapting but it's going all right," he said.
"There are a lot of bigger bodies and the speed of the game is so different.
"It is very quick and your skills have to be really good."
Former South Warrnambool player Brent Moloney is also representing the south-west at the Demons.
McKenzie said older footballers at the club, including Moloney, were paving the way for the talented group of young guns moving up through the ranks.
"It's good to have that (south-west) connection (with Moloney)," he said.
"He has had a great start to the year and I expect him to have a really good season.
"The older guys lead the way on and off the field. There isn't one in particular, they all play a mentoring role."
Melbourne has a genuine chance of stringing two wins together as it meets cellar-dweller Richmond on Sunday.
Colin Sylvia and Cale Morton are returning, however the inclusions might bump McKenzie off the field.
"There are a lot of good players coming back this week so hopefully I can just put my best foot forward and see what happens," he said.
"I haven't missed any of the training sessions and my body has held up all right.
"Hopefully I will keep improving."
