150 YEARS ON - THE HISTORY REPRISED

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To celebrate 150 years we bring you The Professor's History of The Melbourne Football Club in Ten Parts:

HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART ONE

DREAMTIME … by The Professor

Men and women first walked here in the Dreamtime when life was simple. In those days they ran, hunted and chased. The first sport in this place was played by the First Australians.

And when the new people came to begin the Port Phillip settlement the tradition continued as it does to this very day. Melbourne is known as the Sporting Capital of the World and its football club is not only the oldest but also the finest.

The Colony of New South Wales was founded in 1788 around Sydney and gradually expanded to the north, the west and to the south into Port Phillip where John Batman landed at the mouth of the Yarra River in 1835. He set up camp near the site of Queens Bridge and declared, "this will be the place for a village." The area came to be known as Melbourne.

By 1837 the Melbourne township was surveyed, the first land sales were held and, as the young settlement began to flourish, so did its sports. They raced horses at Batman Hill and the Melbourne Cricket Club was formed in 1838. The population found its amusement in a variety of games.

Melbourne had become a major administrative and commercial centre with a population of 23,000 by 1850. The new colony achieved separation from New South Wales in 1851 and immediately its development gained impetus with the discovery of gold in several outlying districts. The gold rush of the 1850's brought a booming economy and a rapidly expanding population that came from all parts of the globe to the fledgling colony. The Victorian landscape was changed for all time.

There is no definitive answer to the question of where and how the Australian game of football truly originated. Was it from games played by our first Australians or was it based on a sport with Anglo-Saxon roots? Or perhaps it came from some gold digging Irish migrant who remembered the Gaelic form of game played at home?

We do know however, that in 1858 the Honorary Secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Thomas Wentworth Wills conceived a football game to keep cricketers fit in the winter. On 7 August 1858 a match was arranged between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College. It was played on parkland by the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the following year, the Melbourne Football Club formed - its rules drafted by Wills' cousin H. C. A. Harrison who was to become the captain of the team. Soon, other clubs followed - Geelong, South Yarra and Richmond.

By 1864, a loose form of competition was under way including new clubs Carlton, South Melbourne and Royal Park. The dominant club remained Melbourne, which was known as the "Invincible Whites." The new game flourished with strong teams emerging in the gold field areas of Ballarat and Bendigo. Harrison remained a powerful figure as the game evolved and rules were established to govern the size of the field, the number of players, the distance of goalposts, reserve players and umpires.

Harrison retired as captain and player of the Melbourne Football Club in 1872 but he continued to be influential as an administrator. The game was growing in stature and importance in the Colony of Victoria and by the late 1870's, it was ready for a more formalised competition to emerge ...

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART TWO

THE ASSOCIATION … by The Professor

Colonial Victoria had thrown off the shackles of its infancy by the late 1870's. Culturally, politically and economically it was becoming a major force among the handful of far-flung colonies that would, by the turn of the century, unite in Federation.

In 1877 large tracts of land had been developed and settled; Ned Kelly and his band of bushrangers were making ready to cause havoc in the countryside and the first ever test cricket match was played on the Melbourne Cricket Ground between Australia and England.

Within two months of that historic match, the other big sport achieved a major boost with the formation of a controlling body to administer Australian Rules in Victoria in May 1877. The Victorian Football Association had as its foundation members Albert Park (later South Melbourne), Carlton, East Melbourne, Essendon, Geelong, Hotham (North Melbourne), Melbourne and St. Kilda.

The Melbourne Football Club played its first VFA match against Hotham on Saturday 2nd June 1877, a game that resulted in a draw. In the early seasons of the competition, the club was barred from using the MCG, as it was feared that the footballers would damage the ground.

Melbourne maintained a position of strength without attaining premiership success finishing runners up to Carlton and Geelong respectively in 1877 and 1878 before dropping to fourth in the following season. In 1880 the Melbourne Football Club was finally allowed to use the ground for half the season and the first football night match was played there that year. The Melbourne Cricket Club was already beginning to notice the financial benefits that could be derived from football.

The 1880's were not kind to the Melbourne Football Club. The team was still able to hold onto fourth position for three of the first four years of the decade before gradually slipping to rock bottom in the crisis year of 1889. Earlier, club finances had taken a severe jolt when the stand, which could hold 3000 people, was destroyed by fire in 1884.

The year 1889 was crucial to the development of the Melbourne Football Club. Its financial and administrative situation was disastrous and its on field performances were lagging. At this point the Melbourne Cricket Club stepped in and took control of the football club - a move that was to save the Redlegs, as they were now known, from extinction.

The takeover and the resultant strengthened administration brought significant improvement to the team's fortunes. The influence of the MCC helped recruit footballers who could find jobs on various grounds controlled by the Club. As the nation moved into a period of economic uncertainty, this was a boon to the young man who could play football and the club returned to the top echelon finishing fourth with ten wins in 1892 and then second to Essendon in both 1893 and 1894. One of Melbourne's stars of the late 1890's was Tasmanian Fred McGinis - a favourite of supporters and one of the first of a long line of champion players with the club.

Melbourne remained strong with third and fourth place finishes in 1895 and 1896 respectively - performances that cemented a place for Melbourne in what was to emerge as the new major competition - the Victorian Football League ...

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART THREE

FIRST PREMIERSHIP ... by The Professor

As the 19th Century drew to a close and the formation of the Australian Commonwealth neared, major changes were becoming apparent in the life styles of the latter day colonials.

Even in sport the new spirit of ruthless commercialism developed as the leading clubs tired of propping up the "outer city" teams. They formed the Victorian Football League in October 1896. At the inaugural meeting held in the rooms of Buxton's Art Gallery in Collins Street, six clubs were represented - Collingwood, Essendon, Fitzroy, Geelong, Melbourne and South

Melbourne. By the start of competition in May the following year, Carlton and St. Kilda had been added to the list of those fighting for the first ever VFL premiership.

Melbourne had an excellent introduction to League ranks with a win in its first match over South Melbourne - 6.8.44 to 2.4.16. The team went on to string together six successive victories before lowering its colours to eventual premier Essendon and finally finishing in fourth place.

After a two-season lull, Melbourne was able to win its first ever VFL premiership on 22nd September 1900 with a grand final victory over Fitzroy 4.10.34 to 3.12.30. In an earlier final they had disposed of Essendon by 2 points.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1900

Melbourne 2.3.15 2.5.17 4.8.32 4.10.34

Fitzroy 1.4.10 2.7.19 2.7.19 3.12.30

Goals Geddes Leith Ryan Wardill

Best McGinis Moodie Cumberland Wardill Purse Langley Parkin

THE TEAM

Backs Herring Scholl L Rippon

Half backs Parkin Purse McClelland

Centreline C Gardiner Young H Hay

Half forwards Lewis Leith Langley

Forwards Wardill Geddes Ryan

Followers Moodie Cumberland McGinis

The captain of the side was Dick Wardill and its heroes included George Moodie, Fred McGinis and Vic Cumberland who made up a formidable ruck combination. The win was a shock defeat for Fitzroy who were aiming for a hat trick of premierships. Melbourne frustrated their opponents in the last half with the negative tactic of keeping the ball as close to the boundary line as possible.

The premiership win was not followed by further success and Melbourne was to languish for a long time in the early years of the new nation - the Commonwealth of Australia which came into existence on 1st January, 1901.

Within a month, the monarch after who the State of Victoria was named had died. A new era was about to be ushered in ...

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART FOUR

HARD TIMES AND WAR CLOUDS ... by The Professor

The Commonwealth of Australia was born at the turn of the Century. The fledgling nation was still one of the remotest outposts of the British Empire and the British Monarch remained the head of the country. At least in this respect little was to change for the nation over the next one hundred years.

But in the early 1900's Australia was a nation in waiting. Little more than a decade of its existence was to pass by before it would be thrown into a bloody war that would shape its nationhood.

In the State of Victoria, the citizens remained keen on sports as the cricket, football and horse racing all draw large crowds and maintained strong interest among all levels of the population. The game of football advanced in leaps and bounds and even managed to survive its first bribery scandal involving the Carlton Football Club which had emerged as a power during the first decade of the new century.

But the Melbourne Football Club, which had won its initial premiership in 1900, was soon to fall on lean times. With the exception of seasons 1902 and 1915 (when the club achieved fourth placing) the club was disappointing. There were few honours to be attained this period apart from the efforts of A. V. Couttie in 1904 and H. Brereton in 1912 when they topped the V.F.L. goal kicking with 39 and 56 goals respectively. A downtrodden Melbourne was even forced to travel to Geelong by boat as a result of a rail strike in 1903.

While success on the field was proving to be elusive, the Melbourne Football Club was able to celebrate its Jubilee in 1908 in fine style. The first interstate carnival (including representation from New Zealand) was organised as part of the celebrations. Richmond and University were admitted to the VFL in that year.

The club slowly began to emerge from the doldrums in 1912 following the appointment of former captain W. C. McClelland as Chairman. Andrew Manzie (formerly of Richmond) was enlisted as club secretary and the importance of administration was highlighted by his hard work. When the University club disbanded at the end of 1914, Manzie was able to persuade several University players to cross over to Melbourne.

With the addition of players such as "Dookie" McKenzie in 1915 the team was able to extend eventual premiers Carlton in a semi final but the promise of this performance could not be improved upon.

The Great War had begun and Melbourne was not able to field a side again until 1919. At that time the club's great contribution towards the development of the game assisted it in gaining readmission to the VFL.

When the club returned to the fold in 1919, it welcomed a future great in Ivor Warne-Smith who made his debut for Melbourne during that year. Like the rest of the world, it was a time of rebuilding for the Melbourne

Football Club ...

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART FIVE

SECOND FLAG - AND TIMES GET TOUGH … by the Professor

A different world was emerging in 1919 when the war to end all wars would draw to a conclusion. People were left with the task of observing the consequences of the hostilities and then trying to forget them.

The Melbourne Football Club had lost a number of its playing members during The Great War and in 1919, when the team the field again after a break of three seasons, it lacked the experienced players to be competitive losing all of its matches.

An intensive recruiting campaign was introduced in 1920. Albert Chadwick, a strong young ruckman made his debut in the opening round. Charlie Streeter, Hugh Dunbar, Dick Taylor, Colin Deane, "Bunny Wittman" and Ivor Warne-Smith soon joined him. As a consequence of this influx of talented youth, the club's fortunes improved gradually.

By 1925 Melbourne reached the finals recording thirteen wins. It was the club's first finals series in a decade and Melbourne was headed only by Geelong and Collingwood in the new twelve team competition that had emerged as a result of the inclusion of Footscray, Hawthorn and North Melbourne.

The impetus of having played in a finals series and the recruiting of additional talent in Bob Johnson, a tall centre half forward and Herbie White, a rover enabled Melbourne to scoop the pool in 1926 under the guidance of captain coach Chadwick.

In a memorable grand final which foreshadowed the great future rivalry of two famous football clubs, Melbourne ran away from Collingwood in the third quarter and went on to win by 57 points to record their second premiership. Vice captain Ivor Warne-Smith capped off a great season winning the Brownlow Medal with nine "first votes" and other highlights included the goalkicking performances of Moyes, Johnson and Davie (each kicking 50 goals or more) and the team's general high scoring throughout the year. Among the spectators at the eventful premiership win were Henry Harrison - one of the game's co-founders and Dick Wardill, captain of the 1900 side. The old club song "It's a grand old flag" was revived for this historic occasion. After the grand final, W.C. McClelland stepped down as chairman capping off a long career with the club.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1926

Melbourne 4.5.29 7.7.49 14.9.93 17.17.119

Collingwood 1.1.7 6.4.40 7.6.48 9.8.62

Goals Johnson 6 Moyes Wittman 3 Duff 2 Deane Taylor Vine

Best Johnson Wittman Moyes Streeter Abernethy Warne-Smith

THE TEAM

Backs Streeter Coy Abernethy

Half backs Timms H. Dunbar Thomas

Centreline Taylor Warne-Smith Collins

Half forwards Wittman Johnson Davidson

Forwards Vine Duff Moyes

Followers Chadwick C Deane White

In 1927 Melbourne had a disappointing season due to illness and injuries to key players but came back to finish third in 1928 when Ivor Warne-Smith replaced Chadwick as captain and won his second Brownlow Medal. Chadwick remained as vice captain but the club was to begin a downward spiral and sunk in much the same was as the stock markets and the world economy, which fell into the Great Depression.

The strength of the team dissipated and even Warne-Smith's elevation to coach in 1932 could not save the club from sinking to ninth. During this period one of the few highlights was the goalkicking of diminutive full forward George Margitich but even his fine 73 goal tally in 1930 was far below the amount required to win the VFL goal kicking. It was time for a change...

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART SIX

A NEW DEAL ... by The Professor

The rigours of the Great Depression caused enormous pain and suffering in a world which had experienced a decade of prosperity after the First World War. Football was one pastime that was still within the reach of many but the Melbourne fans were clamouring for changes. Ironically, the changes came as a result of the introduction of two Richmond stalwarts. History was about to repeat itself in 1933.

Melbourne's fortunes had been turned around years earlier with the appointment of former Tiger Andrew Manzie as club secretary. The club hierarchy was able to repeat this by convincing Percy Page to transfer from Richmond to take the secretarial post. Page brought with him F.V. Checker Hughes who was appointed coach for the 1933 season. Checker had played in two premierships at Richmond and later coached them after a stint in Tasmania. Together Page and Hughes set about changing Melbourne's lilywhite image from "Fuschias" to "Demons".

In 1934 the club showed significant improvement to finish in sixth position as some famous Melbourne names such as Alan La Fontaine, Jack Mueller and Maurie Gibb made their V.F.L. debut. The further inclusion of Norm Smith, Ron Baggott, Ray Wartman and Wally Lock allowed the club to move back into the finals for third placings in 1936 and 1937 and after being strong contenders for a few seasons, Melbourne finally won their third flag in 1939. In that year, Alby Rodda, Roy Dowsing, Adrian Dullard, Shane McGrath, Harold Ball and Syd Anderson all made outstanding debuts for the club. The latter two were killed in the Second World War, as was

Keith "Bluey" Truscott, who made a brief return to the club as its captain shortly prior to his death in an accident off the West Australian coast. The Grand Final win was a sweet one. The stars of the day Percy Beames and Alby Rodda who booted four goals each as the Demons drew away from arch rivals Collingwood after an even first half to win by 53 points.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1939

Melbourne 3.5.23 10.10.70 15.14.104 21.22.148

Collingwood 6.5.41 10.6.66 13.9.87 14.11.95

Goals Beames 4 Rodda 4 L. Jones 3 Ball 2 Mueller 2 Truscott 2 Baggott La Fontaine Smith Wartman.

Best Roberts Beames Anderson Wartman Truscott Smith.

THE TEAM

Backs Emselle Mueller Fischer

Half backs Hingston G Jones Roberts

Centreline Wartman La Fontaine Anderson

Half forwards L Jones Baggott Truscott

Forwards Ball Smith Rodda

Followers Furness Kimberley Beames

19 O'Keffe

Melbourne recorded its second successive premiership with a 49-point victory over Richmond despite losing players to injury before the grand final. One of the team's heroes was ruckman O'Keefe who shadowed Richmond captain Jack Dyer all day and somewhat limited his effectiveness. Norm Smith booted a record goal tally of seven for a grand final in a dominant performance at full forward. The 19th man in the 1940 premiership team was Ron Barassi - yet another football to be later killed in action. Barassi's son Ron Barassi Jr. was to become "Mr. Football" in the 1950's and 60's and was selected captain of the Demon's team of the 20th Century.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1940

Melbourne 4.8.32 10.11.71 13.15.93 15.17.107

Richmond 6.5.41 10.6.66 5.4.34 10.8.68

Goals Smith 7 Baggott Beames O'Keefe Fanning Truscott.

Best Baggott Beames La Fontaine Mueller Ball Smith.

THE TEAM

Backs Emselle Roberts Ball

Half backs Hingston G Jones McLean

Centreline Wartman La Fontaine Anderson

Half forwards Gibb Baggott Truscott

Forwards Fanning Smith Rodda

Followers Mueller O'Keefe Beames

19 Barassi

Melbourne's domination of the competition continued in 1941 as the team made it a hat trick of grand old flags with a comfortable 29-point win over Essendon. Despite fielding a depleted side the Demons overcame hot weather and a blustery north wind as they bade farewell to coach Checker Hughes with an emphatic premiership victory. The team opened up with all guns blazing as they blitzed the Bombers to lead by 57 points at half time and then coasted to victory. Hughes' full forward Norm Smith, who was later to take over the coaching reins at the club in an even more successful era, topped the goal kicking for the year with 89 goals. Hughes was to return as coach twice again. Ironically, his last appearance in the role came many years later in 1965 when he replaced Smith who was sacked for one week in mid-season.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1941

Melbourne 6.6.42 11.9.75 14.11.95 19.13.127

Essendon 1.1.7 2.6.18 6.12.48 13.20.98

Goals Beames 6 Mueller 3 Smith 3 Wartman 2 Anderson Daly Dullard Gibb O'Keefe.

Best Lock Heal Mueller Beames Dullard La Fontaine.

THE TEAM

Backs Emselle McGrath O'Keefe

Half backs Lock E Cordner McLean

Centreline Heal La Fontaine Anderson

Half forwards Gibb Baggott Wartman

Forwards Dullard Smith Daly

Followers Don Cordner Mueller Beames

19 Lewis

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART SEVEN

WARTIME, RECOVERY AND REBUILDING FOR A GOLDEN ERA ... by the Professor

With the ravages of war uppermost in the people's minds, interest in football declined dramatically by 1942. Every club was affected by the war but Melbourne was hit particularly hard. When the season began the list of players missing from the previous season included J. Atkins, H. Ball, R. Barassi, J. Furniss, G. Jones, J. Maher and K. Truscott.

Fighter pilot ace Keith "Bluey" Truscott returned for one game against Richmond to unfurl the 1941 Pennant and received a remarkable reception from a large crowd. But he was to lose his life less than one year later in an air accident and former coach Checker Hughes later donated the Truscott Cup, in his memory for the best and fairest player at the club. The inaugural winner was champion ruckman Don Cordner in 1944. In the same year, Fred Fanning topped the V.F.L. goal kicking with 87 goals in only 14 games.

Checker Hughes returned as coach in 1945 and set about rebuilding the side. The team made significant headway in 1946 when it finished in second position and ruckman Don Cordner, whose father had played for the club in the pre World War One years, won the Brownlow Medal with 20 votes.

Although, 1947 was a disappointing season and the team missed out on the finals full forward Fred Fanning provided most of the highlights with his goal-kicking prowess. In the final game of the season Fanning booted 18 goals against St. Kilda - a record which still stands today. He kicked 97 goals for the season to head the V.F.L. goal kicking for a third time but retired after his record breaking goal feat.

Hughes brought out the best of veterans Smith and Mueller in 1948. Together with the Cordner brothers Don and Denis and promising youngsters Bob McKenzie and Noel McMahen they were prominent in the first drawn grand final. Essendon's atrocious kicking cost them the game as they could only score 7.27.69 to Melbourne's 10.9.69. In the replay Melbourne easily defeated Essendon by 39 points and Checker Hughes stepped down as coach on a winning note once more.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1948 [THE REPLAY]

Melbourne 6.2.38 9.3.57 11.6.72 13.11.89

Essendon 0.3.3 5.5.35 6.6.42 7.8.50

Goals Mueller 6 Arnold 2 Rodda 2 Dullard McMahen Smith.

Best Smith Mueller McGrath Spittle Bickford Arnold.

THE TEAM

Backs Deans McGrath Rule

Half backs Collins Denis Cordner McLean

Centreline Dockett Bickford Spittle

Half forwards McMahen Arnold McKenzie

Forwards Mueller Smith Craddock

Followers Don Cordner Dullard Rodda

19 Bowman 20 Jackson

The club managed to reach the first semi final in 1950 before collapsing to take out the wooden spoon in 1951. Waiting in the wings and ready to coach his old club was Norm Smith who had been coaching Fitzroy after his retirement as a player three years previously. Under him, the team was about to undergo a massive rebuilding process that would reap a golden harvest ...

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART EIGHT

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD ... by the Professor

In the aftermath of the Second World War mankind witnessed staggering technological developments in all fields of endeavour. Extensive progress was made in communication; trade and economic developments and the emergence of television, space flight and nuclear power attended an ever-changing world picture.

But the explosive force generated by the detonation of a nuclear device would never match the impact of the Melbourne Football Club under Coach Norm Smith and Secretary Jim Cardwell. In 1952 - his first season as coach - Smith had a small nucleus players at his disposal with which to fashion a competitive combination. His better players were Denis Cordner, Stuart Spencer, Noel McMahen and John Beckwith. In 1953 Smith was able to add such young players as Ron Barassi Jnr., Frank "Bluey" Adams, Geoff Case, Peter Marquis and Don Williams. The following year Bob Johnson, Brian Dixon, Clyde Laidlaw and Ian Ridley got the chance to taste V.F.L. football. Melbourne improved greatly to finish fourth at the end of the home and away series and made the Grand Final only to be defeated by a strong Footscray side. This was the first of the Club's record seven consecutive premiership pay offs.

At the beginning of 1955 Noel McMahen was appointed captain. The Demons won 15 of the 18 first round matches and accounted for Collingwood twice in the final series. The physically stronger Melbourne team harassed their opponents all day. An example of the game's intensity was the brief appearance of nineteenth man Frank "Bluey" Adams who ran on to the ground and crashed heads with Magpie Des Healy - both players were stretchered off the ground. While Collingwood was persistent the Demons kicked the last four goals of the match to win their seventh premiership flag.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1955

Melbourne 2.3.15 3.10.28 4.13.37 8.16.64

Collingwood 2.2.14 2.5.17 4.6.30 5.6.36

Goals Clarke 3 Ridley 3 Laidlaw McKenzie.

Best Cordner Barassi Melville McLean McMahen Marquis.

THE TEAM

Backs Beckwith Marquis Trev Johnson

Half backs Williams McGivern McMahen

Centreline McLean Melville Case

Half forwards Mithen Laidlaw McKenzie

Forwards R Johnson Clarke Ridley

Followers Denis Cordner Barassi Spencer

19 Adams 20 Gleeson

Melbourne went from strength to strength in the Olympic year to finish on top of the ladder with 16 wins. The Magpies were again the main rivals for the Demons' crown but Melbourne again recorded a big premiership 73-point victory over Collingwood. A big crowd of 115,902 flocked to the MCG and paid a record gate to watch Spencer and Webb kick 5 goals each as the Demons routed the opposition. Melbourne also recorded 19 consecutive wins from mid-1955 and well into 1956. The team went on to defeat the premiers of South Australia and West Australia to achieve recognition as Australian champions.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1956

Melbourne 2.4.16 6.11.47 10.16.76 17.19.121

Collingwood 3.3.21 4.3.27 5.6.36 6.12.48

Goals Spencer 5 Webb 5 Barassi 3 R. Johnson 3 Ridley.

Best Spencer Barassi Adams Cordner Beckwith Melville.

THE TEAM

Backs Beckwith Marquis Trev Johnson

Half backs Williams McMahen Carroll

Centreline Dixon Melville Adams

Half forwards Mithen Laidlaw Sandral

Forwards R Johnson Webb Ridley

Followers Denis Cordner Barassi Spencer

19 Gleeson 20 Lane

The loss of McMahen, Cordner, Spencer and Melville before the start of 1957 did not prevent the club's domination of V.F.L. competition as new blood in John Lord, Geoff Tunbridge, Ian Thorogood and Denis Jones emerged to replace them. John Beckwith was appointed captain and Ron Barassi his deputy. Melbourne was recognised as the team to beat with a dominant centre line of Dixon, Mithen and McLean, a dynamic ruck rover in Barassi, a solid ruckman in Bob Johnson and pacy rovers in Adams and Ridley.

Despite this, the Demons received a scare when they lost to the Bombers in the second semi final. However, they bounced back with a ten goal plus victory against Hawthorn and then made it three flags in a row to end their centenary year with a grand final win against Essendon by 61 points. Barassi's ruck roving position had been moulded to perfection by coach Norm Smith and his best on ground display in the grand final was

outstanding

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1957

Melbourne 6.2.38 9.9.47 12.11.83 17.14.116

Essendon 2.3.15 4.4.28 7.8.50 7.13.55

Goals Barassi 5 Ridley 4 Webb 3 R Johnson 2 Tunbridge 2 Case.

Best Barassi R Johnson Fenton-Smith Lord Williams Ridley.

THE TEAM

Backs Beckwith Marquis Fenton-Smith

Half backs Williams Lord Carroll

Centreline Dixon Mithen McLean

Half forwards Case Trev Johnson Tunbridge

Forwards Barassi Webb Ridley

Followers R Johnson Wilson Adams

19 Brenchley 20 Throrogood

Melbourne achieved top ladder position for the fourth year in a row in 1958 and another premiership seemed a formality for the Demons who were looking to equal Collingwood's record of four consecutive flags. However, the Magpies who had received a drubbing in the second semi had other thoughts and despite a great opening quarter, the cocky Demons were battered into submission in a grand final that proved to be one of the great upsets of football history.

The addition to the ranks of Bob "Tassie" Johnson and "Hassa" Mann in 1959 reinvigorated the Demons who were keen to prove that they were still the dominant football power. Barassi who was subdued in the 1958 final starred, as did Dennis Jones whose career had been hampered by constant injuries. The Demons won the flag after a slow start with a 37-point victory over Essendon.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1959

Melbourne 1.4.10 8.5.53 11.10.76 17.13.115

Essendon 3.3.21 7.8.50 10.10.70 11.12.78

Goals Barassi 4 Rowarth 4 Adams 3 R Johnson 3 Mann Ridley Tunbridge.

Best Barassi McLean R Johnson Dixon Jones Beckwith.

THE TEAM

Backs Beckwith "Tas" Johnson Lord

Half backs Case Jones Thorogood

Centreline Dixon Mithen McLean

Half forwards H. Mann Laidlaw Tunbridge

Forwards Barassi Rowarth Ridley

Followers R Johnson Fenton-Smith Adams

19 Crompton 20 Williams

The club continued to go from strength to strength in 1960 as Ron Barassi took over the captaincy. Beckwith remained as his deputy. For the sixth successive year Melbourne topped the ladder and the team went on to destroy Collingwood in the grand final win of 8.14.62 to Collingwood's miserable 2.2.14 - the lowest ever grand final score. Melbourne's dominance was assisted by the continual unearthing of new stars. Bryan Kenneally and Brian Leahy were introduced to the club in 1960.

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1960

Melbourne 4.3.27 5.5.35 7.12.54 8.14.62

Collingwood 0.0.0 1.0.6 2.0.12 2.2.14

Goals Adams 2 R. Johnson 2 H. Mann 2 Tunbridge Rowarth.

Best Lord Mithen L. Mann Dixon R. Johnson Tunbridge.

THE TEAM

Backs Beckwith "Tas" Johnson Trev Johnson

Half backs Case Lord Thorogood

Centreline Dixon Mithen Kenneally

Half forwards H Mann Laidlaw Tunbridge

Forwards R Johnson Rowarth Ridley

Followers L Mann Barassi Ridley

19 B Leahy 20 Nillson

The next three seasons saw a weakening of the great combination but there was sufficient in store for two thirds and a fourth placing before a return to the top in 1964. The team could no longer boast the high standards of strength and brilliance it had achieved in the fifties but still commanded a share of luck. Freak goals by "Hassa" Mann (to win a late season game against Hawthorn and secure a finals berth) and Neil Crompton (to allow the Demons to steal a grand final victory over Collingwood) assisted in capturing the club's twelfth flag on 19th September 1964. Ron Barassi and Bluey Adams played their last games for Melbourne that day and celebrated their participation in six premiership teams ...

RESULTS - GRAND FINAL 1964

Melbourne 2.6.18 5.7.37 7.10.52 8.16.64

Collingwood 2.5.17 5.9.39 5.11.41 8.12.60

Goals Townsend 3 Lord 2 Bourke Crompton H Mann.

Best Adams Dixon Tas Johnson Wise H. Mann Williams.

THE TEAM

Backs Crompton Massey "Tas" Johnson

Half backs Anderson Roet Davis

Centreline Dixon Williams Adams

Half forwards Kenneally Jacobs Vagg

Forwards Lord Bourke Townsend

Followers Wise Barassi H Mann

19 Emselle 20 McLean

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HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART NINE

IN THE WILDERNESS ... by the Professor

Melbourne's 1964 premiership pennant was unfurled before the opening game of 1965. Missing from the line up were Ron Barassi (who had been lured to Carlton as its captain coach) and "Bluey" Adams (retired) as the Demons struggled to win by 6 points against co-tenants Richmond who had been mauled by 113 points when they met in round 10 of the previous season.

Although Melbourne won their first eight games straight to hold premiership favouritism, the times were a changing. Carlton and Richmond were emerging with new forms of professional administration that was to considerably alter the football balance of power.

When the crash came, it hit Melbourne with a vengeance. Melbourne was thrashed on the MCG against St. Kilda on Queen's Birthday. The team's form slumped over the following weeks and then came the shock sacking and reinstatement of Norm Smith. Considering Smith's record - 4 premierships as a player and 6 as coach - the dismissal was an incredible blunder. This was recognised by the club when Smith was re-appointed after just one week. To his credit, Smith "ate humble pie" and resumed his duties for another year and continued to coach until the end of the 1967 season. By that time Melbourne had lost its magic touch in recruiting and the golden era was over. By 1969 the once mighty Demons could win only three games and claimed the dreaded wooden spoon.

Melbourne suffered a number of reversals of fortune during the 1970's. In 1971, former great player Ian Ridley was appointed coach. Under captain Frank Davis the team began the season in brilliant fashion winning 8 of their first 9 games. With the talent available including Stan Alves, Gary Hardeman, Greg Wells, Ross Dillon, Greg Parke, interstate stars Graeme Molloy and John Tilbrook and a young giant in Peter Keenan there was a great deal of optimism in the camp. But a wet winter and a drop in form put paid to Melbourne's year and the team slumped to finish seventh. This decline continued in 1972 and again in 1973 despite the recruitment of St. Kilda star Carl Ditterich. By 1974, with triple Brownlow Medallist Bobby Skilton as coach, the team finished last. Melbourne's ability to improve was restricted by unproductive recruiting zones and a lack of initiative in recruiting as its unimaginative administration lagged behind its more progressive counterparts.

The doyen of Club Secretaries, Jim Cardwell, retired from his post after 25 years in 1975 as the Demons began to make a little headway under Skilton's coaching. A new young star in Robert Flower was emerging as a football of exquisite skills and Melbourne also gained from the toughness of Laurie Fowler who crossed from Richmond to win the club best and fairest.

The advent of colour television led the club to alter the club's colours to royal blue in place of navy blue - a decision that was reversed in 1987.

By 1976, Melbourne was ready to return to the finals but luck dealt the club a cruel blow. After a reasonable start was followed by a mid-season slump, the Demons hit their straps to win the last four games by big margins. They had only to win their last match against Collingwood and hope for an in-form top team Carlton to defeat Footscray to topple the Bulldogs out of the final five. History records that Carlton and Footscray drew meaning that Melbourne missed out by two premiership points. The Demons were doubly unlucky because the Bulldogs had won their previous game with a goal after the siren. Captain Stan Alves was lured to North Melbourne at the conclusion of the season and Melbourne plummeted to the depths once again. New coaches Dennis Jones and then Carl Ditterich (as captain-coach) could stem the tide. Melbourne was hampered by poor administration, poor recruiting zones and a lack of direction. By 1981 it was time for Ron Barassi to return to the fold.

During 1980 the Melbourne Football Club began a total rebuilding process which saw a partial break between the Melbourne Football Club and the Melbourne Cricket Club with the football club becoming a public company limited by guarantee. Ron Barassi - Melbourne's greatest son - had been successful as a coach at Carlton and North Melbourne and supporters were clamouring for his return as coach. Barassi did return to Melbourne but his task was a difficult one. The team disappointed in 1981 to collect the wooden spoon but showed some promise under Barassi's youth policy to improve to eighth position in 1982. North Melbourne recruit Brian Wilson won the Brownlow Medal after a stellar season. Gerard Healy and Mark Jackson were emerging as promising forwards.

Despite the recruitment of Brownlow Medallists Peter Moore from Collingwood and Kelvin Templeton from Footscray, the Club was unable to improve its position on the ladder over the ensuing years and, apart from a second Brownlow to Peter Moore the Demons made no headway and Barassi resigned at the end of 1985 having failed to lift the club in five seasons.

The club was thrown into turmoil after the 1985 season when a reform group attempted to overthrow the existing Board headed by Sir. Billy Snedden. The high cost of legal action dampened the spirit of the challengers.

Barassi's replacement was a low profile coach in John Northey who was disappointed after the team struggled to finish in eleventh position in 1986 - the same position it occupied in the previous season. There were whispers during the season of Melbourne's possible participation of a merger with another V.F.L club. The face of football was now changing rapidly as teams from Western Australia and Brisbane were invited to join the former South Melbourne (now Sydney) as the competition's interstate clubs for the 1987 season. It was clear that with the inclusion of new teams there would be pressure on a number of Victorian teams to improve their performance. The Demons had to emerge from the rut of more than two decades of failure if they were to survive in the new national competition.

[Demonland 73,140]

HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - PART TEN

REAWAKENINGS ... by The Professor

The once proud Melbourne Football Club had endured more than two decades in the football wilderness when the new era of national football began in 1987. After the golden era of the 1950's and early sixties ended with a flag in 1964 Melbourne fans had watched as clubs such as Richmond, Carlton and then Hawthorn and North Melbourne took over the reins as V.F.L powers.

Sound administrations and solid financial backing enabled these clubs to recruit the personnel necessary to build footballing dynasties. Melbourne was lagging behind them in almost every facet of the game.

One positive legacy of the five years under Ron Barassi's coaching was the strength of the club's junior development programme, which saw the Demons competing regularly in Under 19 finals in the early 1980's. This provided Melbourne with a constant stream of new talent such as Greg Healy, Bret Bailey, Chris Connolly, Rod Grinter and Graeme Yeats. Melbourne had also instigated the experiment of recruiting talent from Ireland, which brought Sean Wight and Jim Stynes to the club. It was ironic that in the final years of country zoning, the previously unproductive Goulburn Valley zone suddenly produced a young champion in Garry Lyon. The appointment of a young administrator in Cameron Schwab was also invaluable in assisting the Demons to attain a long awaited return to finals football. Schwab was instrumental in bringing players of the calibre of Warren Dean, Ricky Jackson, Brett Lovett, Steven O'Dwyer, Earl Spalding and Todd Viney to the club by the start of the 1987 season.

The emergence of young talented recruits brought immediate results. The Demons had won night premierships in the sixties when that competition was an end of season affair and not open to the finals teams. In 1987 they won an "open" night premiership defeating Essendon 8.10.58 to 8.6.54 in a superb team performance. In the home and away season the Demons were inconsistent but finished strongly to win the last 6 home and away games and sneak into fifth spot. The euphoric scenes at Footscray when Melbourne secured a place in the finals were repeated in the following weeks as some brilliant football in the Elimination Final (against North Melbourne) and the First Semi Final (Sydney) saw the team earn the right to play in the Preliminary Final. The Melbourne run was tragically ended in the Preliminary final against Hawthorn. After leading all day, the Demons were denied a grand final appearance when a 15 metre penalty awarded to Hawk forward Gary Buckenara gave Hawthorn a goal after the siren. Robert Flower retired that day after achieving a new club record of 274 games.

Having tasted the experience of competing in finals Melbourne went one step further in 1988. They won twelve of their first sixteen games but five straight losses followed and Demons just managed to squeeze into the five after a great win over Carlton. Melbourne beat the West Coast Eagles by a kick in the Elimination Final and then earned their first grand final berth in 24 years after victories over Collingwood and Carlton. Sadly, Melbourne performed poorly against a rampant Hawthorn and was not experience a grand final again until the year 2000.

After winning the night competition for the second time in three years, Melbourne started the 1989 season well but some inconsistent form late in the year cost it a vital top three finish going into the finals. After beating Collingwood in the Elimination Final, the Demons lost the First Semi Final to Geelong and to finish in fourth position. Melbourne was again in the top bracket of teams in 1990 and despite winning 16 games the club still missed a top three spot. Despite a strong win over Hawthorn in the Elimination Final, the Demons lost momentum with a week's break caused by the drawn Qualifying Final between West Coast and Collingwood. A loss to the Eagles in the First Semi Final saw the club finish again in fourth position. The Demons reached the finals for the fifth successive year in 1991 but were unable to win the First Semi Final against an eventual Grand Finalist, the West Coast Eagles. The Irish experiment proved its success when ruckman Jim Stynes won the Brownlow Medal.

Melbourne's form fell away in 1992 and John Northey resigned as senior coach completing the most successful coaching stint at the club since the days of the great Norm Smith. His replacement, Neil Balme lifted the side in 1993 and in the following year the Demons were back playing finals football. Garry Lyon, Allen Jakovich and David Schwarz formed a strong high marking forward line and with exciting midfielders in Stephen Tingay, Todd Viney, Andy Lovell and Sean Charles Melbourne stormed through two finals wins over Carlton and Footscray before having to travel to Perth to take on the Eagles in the Preliminary Final. The Demons were flat in that game losing to the eventual premiers. During the season there were rumours of a possible merger with the ailing Fitzroy Football Club.

The two seasons following were punctuated by the disappointment of injuries and a collapse in morale as a result of the loss of many of the team's stars. The high flying David Schwarz suffered three knee reconstructions in a short period of time, Captain Gary Lyon, the flamboyant Allen Jakovich, exciting wingers Stephen Tingay and Sean Charles and emerging defender Paul Prymke all were struck down by debilitating injuries. Todd Viney left the club briefly for a short stint to coach in the international tennis arena. Ruckman Jim Stynes seemed to be the only durable performer at the club as he achieved the feat of playing more than 200 consecutive games. But the ravages of injury took their toll on the club and Melbourne plunged to 14th place by the end of 1996.

During 1996 the club's administration, led by Ian Ridley, commenced merger negotiations with Hawthorn. The matter was left to the members of both clubs at end of season polls. In the turmoil that followed, Hawk supporters voted to kill off the merger. A majority of Melbourne votes were cast in favour of the move although there have been strong doubts about the legality of the poll with many members locked out of the crowded merger meeting and unable to vote. A strong group - the "Demon Alternative" - led by Brian Dixon and mining magnate Joseph Gutnick had opposed the merger and gained sufficient support for Gutnick to become the new club Chairman after Ridley resigned his position. Former star wingman Brian Dixon was one of the instrumental personalities in the anti-merger group.

Gutnick's administration inherited a football basket case in 1997 . The team was deficient in talent and further wracked by injuries and off field drama. There was concern too with Balme's coaching methods, which had to be tailored to suit its obvious lack of ability. Balme was sacked in mid season and replaced by reserves coach, Greg Hutchison. With Melbourne finishing last for the first time since 1981, the Gutnick administration took steps to turn around the club's fortunes. Cameron Schwab was appointed Chief Executive in mid-season, replacing Hassa Mann. Essendon's Football Manager, Danny Corcoran, was secured late in the season, and Neale Daniher was appointed coach for 1998. With Gutnick's financial assistance the Club expanded its operations in important revenue raising areas securing major sponsorships and opening a second social and gaming venue at The Bentleigh Club. The club recruited heavily for 1998 securing Jeff White, Jamie Shanahan and promising junior Travis Johnstone.

Under Daniher's guidance, Melbourne rose a record-breaking 12 places in 1998 to finish fourth on the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season. The team hit form late in the season with Jeff Farmer displaying great wizardry in front of goals as the team swept away Adelaide and St. Kilda in the finals before going down to North Melbourne in the Preliminary Final. Jim Stynes completed an unprecedented run of consecutive games at 244.

The confidence generated by 1999 disappeared as age and injury took its toll on the team. Veterans Jim Stynes and Brett Lovett had retired by the end of 1998 while Garry Lyon, Todd Viney and Glenn Lovett all announced their retirements during the season. A voluntary salary cap disclosure to the AFL resulted in a substantial fine, severe draft penalties and the constant adverse publicity destabilised the club. Chief Executive, Cameron Schwab, was replaced mid season by John Anderson. An injury depleted Melbourne limped into 14th place.

Melbourne's fortunes improved considerably during the 2000 season. The club recruited well gaining Stephen Powell from the Western Bulldogs in a trade and picking up some classy newcomers in Cameron Bruce, Brad Greed, Paul Wheatley, Matthew Whelan and Simon Godfrey in the draft. The Demon revival was clearly evident in the last half of the season as the team stormed up the ladder to finish third. They then disposed of Carlton and the Kangaroos and enjoyed a great build up to the Grand Final when Shane Woewodin won the Brownlow Medal. The Bombers who had lost only once during the season proved too strong in the grand final but many left the M.C.G that day convinced that the Demons were on the cusp of a new golden era - a dream that once again turned into a nightmare when, early in the 2001 season, the club was overcome by a major political upheaval which saw Gutnick ousted in a boardroom battle that shook the club's very foundations. With politics dictating the club agenda, the team fell away badly and missed the finals.

Gabriel Szondy led the new board that emerged from the political battles but within two years he was gone, having resigned after presiding over consecutive seasons of rapidly deteriorating club finances. Paul Gardner, hitherto a virtual unknown at the club, took the helm and gradually reversed the club's off field fortunes.

The Demons' on field performances had been as volatile as they were off the field. They experienced solid improvement and earned a finals berth in 2002 with skipper David Neitz becoming the club's first John Coleman Medallist when he headed the AFL's goal kicking. However, a poor finish to an exciting semi final against the Crows led the football department to review its thinking on the team's direction and leading midfielders Powell and Woewodin left the club as it sought to rebuild its midfield to match those of the power clubs.

After a poor 2003, the team returned to the finals stage for three consecutive seasons but only advanced beyond the first week once – in 2006. The following season saw the club wracked by injury and it fell to 14th place ahead only of Carlton and Richmond. Neale Daniher was replaced as coach halfway through the season by a caretaker in Mark Reilly. David Neitz became the first player in the club’s history to pass the 300 game mark in round 20. He retired early in the following season after sustaining a career ending neck injury.

Dean Bailey took over the coaching reins in 2008 and promised a new youthful outlook and a different style of game as the club celebrated its 150th year without achieving much success on field. Off the field, things did not look good either as the club’s debt moved back upwards after a few years of financial consolidation. Jimmy Stynes took over the presidency in mid season and the almost totally new board promised a new awakening for the oldest football club in the land.