Demons great Shane Woewodin believes the current Melbourne side have “matured” since being thrashed in their last preliminary final appearance at Optus Stadium.

The Demons went goalless in the first half against the Eagles in that preliminary final in 2018, eventually losing by 66 points.

Brownlow medallist Woewodin believes the playing group have matured since then.

“They’re a different playing group, and they’re certainly playing a different style of footy, they’re leaderships better,” he said.

“I think culturally … they’ve made a stand we’re about some here now, and hopefully now this is the start of something special.”

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