Former Demons champion Laurie Mithen - a five-time VFL flag hero - was Lily's grandfather's cousin.
The pair never met, but the 24-year-old is determined to build upon the club great's feats.
Mithen will line up against the Brisbane Lions in Sunday's grand final after featuring in the Melbourne side that lost last season's decider to Adelaide.
"I wasn't fortunate enough to meet Laurie but for those family ties and to continue that name within the footy club would be really special," Mithen told AAP.
"It's not something I'll necessarily be thinking about (during the grand final) but to build on that legacy with the Mithens and the Melbourne footy club together would be really nice.
"It would be a lovely touch."
Mithen dominated playing alongside boys in an "unorthodox" junior career and was the second player in Demons history to reach 50 AFLW games.
She will have her immediately family in the stands at Brighton Homes Arena, where they will share in what Mithen hopes will be her proudest moment yet.
"For Mum and Dad to let me play as a junior with the boys when it wasn't quite the norm has meant that I'm in this position now," Mithen said.
"Mum's only missed two (games) and Dad's now missed three, so Mum's claiming the No.1 fan spot.
"Genuinely one of my most favourite things is giving them a hug and a kiss post-game, and in the big moments it's even more special."
Standing between Melbourne and a first AFLW premiership is a Lions outfit that handed them a "reality check" when the teams last met, in round four.
But the Demons are confident their work around the contest and strong defensive system can get the job done.
"Those two elements mean a whole lot on grand final day," Mithen said.
"They're a quick opposition who love to run and transition the ball, so we need to nullify that impact from them, but there won't be a whole game style change.
"I trust our leaders and our want and will and spirit and connection as a group to get the job done."
10°C