There was a discussion yesterday on SEN in the wake of Trent Croad's retirement from Hawthorn about which player's departure hurt the most. When Croad was traded to Fremantle, there were near riots at Glenferrie Oval as Hawk fans vented their spleens.

Various callers rang to talk about the players whose departure hurt them the most. Blues fans mentioned Fev and Hammill, a Cats fan talked about Leigh Colbert, a Bulldogs fan wasn't happy about Nathan Brown going to Richmond etc.

Mine was Ron Barassi leaving Melbourne to go to Carlton. It was the undoing of a great era at the club and we never really recovered.

The best call was the Tiger fan who rang to say the worst departure was Jordan McMahon when he left the Bulldogs to go to Richmond but I don't have any problems with that move !

So which departure hurt you the most?

I'm too young for Barrass, but the one that still comes to me is Scotty Thompson. Always knew he would kill it and be a super player, and as soon as it started to flourish, he was off and is now enjoying a great career with the crows.

Will be interested to see how/if Woewy is mentioned in this thread too.

There was a discussion yesterday on SEN in the wake of Trent Croad's retirement from Hawthorn about which player's departure hurt the most. When Croad was traded to Fremantle, there were near riots at Glenferrie Oval as Hawk fans vented their spleens.

Various callers rang to talk about the players whose departure hurt them the most. Blues fans mentioned Fev and Hammill, a Cats fan talked about Leigh Colbert, a Bulldogs fan wasn't happy about Nathan Brown going to Richmond etc.

Mine was Ron Barassi leaving Melbourne to go to Carlton. It was the undoing of a great era at the club and we never really recovered.

The best call was the Tiger fan who rang to say the worst departure was Jordan McMahon when he left the Bulldogs to go to Richmond but I don't have any problems with that move !

So which departure hurt you the most?

I was too young to actually comprehend what was going on when Ronald Dale left the Dees, so I would have to say Jeff Farmer.

Edited January 8, 201015 yr by Big Kev

Definitely the great RDB. I recall that it ripped my heart out at the time. Barass was probably the first of the big name players to change clubs in the former VFL. The pre-dawn of our game becoming professional?

THe wiz leaving was pretty bad. Woey was a cult figure and I remember feeling numb for a few days after hearing that we'd traded him to collingwood. However, the departure that got me the most was Daniher. All those years, all those hopes, gone. Players with talent past their prime: a new coach required and cleanout inevitable. All of this on the background of a president at odds with the AFL and the media perpetuating their falsehoods. For me and the MFC, a dark time.

Seeing Brent Grgic in the blue and white hoops was tough to swallow.

Jeff Farmer's departure for me, he was an excitement machine at the dees and a player I always loved watching play... in hindsight this departure was made somewhat easier to swallow due to the fact he didn't reach the heights he did with us when he went to Freo... Same with the Woewodin deal.

Whilst not a departure the re-ocurring injuries to Stinga and Schwarz in the 90s that kept them from becoming competition elite were pretty devastating.

I have three brothers and we all barracked for the Demons when RDB left. My brothers followed him and switched their allegiance to Carlton. I stayed, taunting them for going to such a team of losers and confident that the Melbourne reign would treat me to a long life of success.

Needless to say, they were the ones who got the better over the switch. Oh, it hurt seeing RDB with that godawful scribble on his chest instead of the stylish red yoke. And it hurt more when Carlton started winning flag after flag after flag ...

The Wiz going to WA and Scotty Thompson to SA.

I would echo the thoughts on Stinga and Ox not being able to "Run Free" when they were on their way to Superstardom.

Scott Thompson for me, Just for the fact that he had done pretty much nothing for his first 3 years due to injury and then when he was just starting to flourish in the second half of 2004 he gets homesick and the Crows come calling. I have heard family was involved in the decision, but it still hurts. In terms of losing a favourite, It's Brock Mclean for me at the minute, I might get over it as soon steps out for the Blooze, but for the first week after the news broke I felt betrayed as a Melbourne supporter!

Edited January 9, 201015 yr by DemonWorshipper

Scott Thompson for me, Just for the fact that he had pretty done nothing for his first 3 years due to injury and then when he was just starting to flourish in the second half of 2004 he gets homesick and the Crows come calling. I have heard family was involved in the decision but it still hurts

Rumour only but I've heard that Scott Thompson's girlfriend who is a Victorian is getting homesick (and who wouldn't after 5 years of living in Adelaide?) and the pair might come back to Melbourne at the end of the year. Doubt whether the Dees would be interested in a trade though, given Scotty woud be in his late 20s by the time the move was made.

3rd - Scotty Thompson - I know we were alays going to lose him, but hurt putting all that work into him and then handing it over like that.

2nd - Jeff Farmer - Excitement, talent, showmanship. Had to find a new reason to goto the footy when he left.

1st - David Neitz - I know he wasn't traded, but was certainly a loss. I still feel the gaping holes he left as both a forward & a leader.

................................................................. Whilst not a departure, the re-ocurring injuries to Stinga and Schwarz in the 90s that kept them from becoming competition elite were pretty devastating.

Hard to argue with that. Football tregedies of the highest order!

I have three brothers and we all barracked for the Demons when RDB left. My brothers followed him and switched their allegiance to Carlton. I stayed, taunting them for going to such a team of losers and confident that the Melbourne reign would treat me to a long life of success.

Needless to say, they were the ones who got the better over the switch. Oh, it hurt seeing RDB with that godawful scribble on his chest instead of the stylish red yoke. And it hurt more when Carlton started winning flag after flag after flag ...

I was like your brothers but came back to melbourne when RDB left carlton I probably like collingwood more than carlton now

In recent years the Chris Johnson departure- being the son of Alan, training at the club since 16 and the way he left very much disappointed me. Also the surprise of Brock McLean wanting to leave .No doubt that in my opinion- Bomber Riley had been into their ears.

However, the biggest departure that hurt me was Norm Smith(although not a player- the best coach ever)followed by Ron Barassi. Both decimated the club which never ever recovered.

Edited January 9, 201015 yr by jayceebee31

I was too young for the Barassi Trade.

BUT EARL SPALDING TO CARLTON MADE ME SICK!!! Still Hurts now.

We got shafted on that deal at the same time we were forced to play home games at Princess Park-increased my hatred of Carlton, if that is possible!!!

Losing Barassi. Worst marketing decision in history. He was the famous No 31. He ran the footy clinics on the telly, and he had a weekly news article with the Sun under the banner 'No 31'. He was the most popular player for Melbourne and he was everywhere. There was no one at the club who could step up and take his place as a footballer and as a marketing product.

It's rumoured that Norm Smith told him to accept the offer; that it would be the best thing for Barassi's career. Maybe Norm could forsee our decline in the '60s.

RDB obviously, but also stan alves and greg wells since their going was a mark of our lack of hope.

One others may not remember but one which hurt the club internally was Stephen Newport who was important to the playing group but who was off-loaded to the saints.

Anyone else remember his two 50 metre final quarter goals in a semi-final win over the pies?

Losing Barassi. Worst marketing decision in history. He was the famous No 31. He ran the footy clinics on the telly, and he had a weekly news article with the Sun under the banner 'No 31'. He was the most popular player for Melbourne and he was everywhere. There was no one at the club who could step up and take his place as a footballer and as a marketing product.

It's rumoured that Norm Smith told him to accept the offer; that it would be the best thing for Barassi's career. Maybe Norm could forsee our decline in the '60s.

definatley Barassi... hurt the club, big time. Glad he's back though.

RDB obviously, but also stan alves and greg wells since their going was a mark of our lack of hope.

One others may not remember but one which hurt the club internally was Stephen Newport who was important to the playing group but who was off-loaded to the saints.

Anyone else remember his two 50 metre final quarter goals in a semi-final win over the pies?

Yes I always thought Stephen Newport has been very under rated over the years, he played in those tough Northey Teams in the mid field a lot, often at the bottom of packs.

I remember his long kicks well, i have that '88 final on VHS somewhere!

Stan Alves our captain, very sad i well remember picking his number slowly off my jumper.

Seeing him win a flag with that other "Melbourne" team coached by RDB is the reason i do not care if North live or die.

Darren Jolly, what a super player he has been for the swans, (now lets hope he cant get a kick at collingwood) IMO that he would be our number one ruckman, and one that also could push forward and kick goals..

It hurt when he was playing well in a swans jumper, now it is going to hurt even more when he is in a filth jumper...

Undoubtedly Allen Jakovich. I basically lost interest in football for two years after he went.

1 - Farmer

2 - McLean

3 - Powell

I was happy with the Jolly, Thompson and Woewodin trades at the time, unfortunately we have lost out 2 of them and Woewodin was a nil all draw.

Woewodin Still not over it

Woewodin Still not over it

Really??? I was over it the Moment he gave the MCC Members the bird after his one & only goal during the 2003 GF.

He may have been [censored] off at the MFC at the time, but the supporters didn't deserve that...(That was about the only Touch he got for the day as i recall)