Your Top 10 All-Time Favourite Demons

[Nasher 33,613]

Two distinct themes here: older generation MFC supporters listing players I'll never see play and can't appreciate the value of, and younger generation MFC supporters listing players who played some good footy, but will never go down as greats of the game, largely due to their lack of real success.

God this club needs a flag, and soon.

[deefan12 3]

My Top 10 1972 - Now

1 Robbie Flower - He would be unbelievable in any era.

2 Gary Hardiman - The best CHB we've had by the length of the straight

3 David Schwartz - 3 Recos, could have been a star for a much longer time

4 Travis Johnson - amazing talent - should have worked harder and been better for longer

5 Brett Lovett - a genious without the athleticism of others

6 Jimmy Stynes - gave us his heart as he has continued to do

7 Steven Tingay - another whose career was cut down

8 Gary Lyon - a fantasic leader whose body let him down in the end

9 Jeffrey Farmer - his good stuff was mercurial

10 David Neitz - a little overrated as a player but the first onfield leader you would pick

Col Sylvia should be there and with a couple of great seasons may well earn his place

Jack Trengove WILL be there and somewhere near the top.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Could easily say 1-10 Robbie Flower.

C'mon Redleg you have to put them in order.

Here are mine:

1. Flower - Better than Keith Greig IMO and played in some carp sides and still his class shone through

2. Hardeman

3. Schwartz

4. Alves

5. Jakovich

6. Fowler

7. Johnson

8. Neitz

9. Lyon

10. Wight

Postscript: Alan Johnson and Brett Lovett were worthy mentions

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

5. Lord Byron. He was a great pickup for the club. He had massive presence on the ground, scared the hell out of opponents and could do the freakish when we needed it.

Wow MFC is an old Club if we did indeed have Lord Byron in the side. For a while I thought you were speaking about Pickett. Two fat pre seasons and being too fizzed to turn up to a match more than outweigh the limited cameos. Passed it and disinterested and just took the club's money in the contract.

[daisycutter 29,613]

Wow MFC is an old Club if we did indeed have Lord Byron in the side. For a while I thought you were speaking about Pickett. Two fat pre seasons and being too fizzed to turn up to a match more than outweigh the limited cameos. Passed it and disinterested and just took the club's money in the contract.

spot on the money

[Roost It 1,434]

Flower

Lyon

Tingay

Schwarz

Viney

Dursma

Jakovich

Stynes

Hughes

Dean

[Wrecker45 3,378]

Whelan

Travis Johnstone

Tingay

Jim Stynes

Todd Viney

Allan Johnson

The Ox

Gary Lyon

The Wiz

Garland

[Deestroy All 14,264]

1. Gary Lyon

2. Schwarz

3. Jakovich

4. Ingerson

5. Farmer

6. Wight

7. Stynes

8. Tingay

9. Whelan

10. Frawley

Was too young to fully appreciate Robbie Flower, though I do remember watching him and the glowing terms in which he was (and still is) talked about.

Can't believe there's no love for Ingo!

Sadly I could just as easily make a top 10 of players I once loved, but couldn't wait to see the back of.

[Macca 16,961]

In order

Robbie

Jakovich

Wellsie

Hardeman

Neita

Stynesy

Stinga

Biffo

Wilson

Dillon

Would have liked to put Hassa in but I only saw him on the "The Big Replay" or whatever it was called then !

Edited December 18, 2011 by Macca

[Demon_spurs 1,846]

1.Robbie Flower

2.Garry Lyon

3.Steven Tingay

4.Allan Jackovich

5 Jimmy

6.Ross Dillon

7.LJ

8.Andrew Obst

9.AA Johnson

10 Strawbs O'Dwyer

Special mention to Gerard Healey and Stan Alves (lost points for desertion)

[Demon_spurs 1,846]

Is any body actually counting these votes, would be very interesting to see the outcome

[Biffen 12,943]

Gary

OX

Robbie

Jimma

Farmer

Grinter

Wierd Al

B.WIlson

Keogh

Yze

Watching since 84 .Left out Lovett , Johnson ,Hughes .

Edited December 18, 2011 by Biffen

[Hip & Shoulder 64]

1 Sean Wight

2 Garry Lyon

3 Jack Watts

4 Matthew Whelan

5 David Schwartz

6 Alan Jackovich

7 Stephen Tingay

8 Glenn Lovett

9 Ron Barassi

10 Shane Woewodin

Hard to rate them 1-10. I've loved watching them and many, many others since 1956 to the present day.

[Lutz 76]

1. Jimmy Stynes

2. James Frawley

3. Stephen Tingay

4. Robbie Flower

5. David Schwarz

6. Garry Lyon

7. Allen Jakovich

8. Jeff Farmer

9. Todd Viney

10. Brett Lovett

Special Mention - Matthew Whelan and Liam Jurrah

Edited December 18, 2011 by Lutz

[Grapeviney 9,717]

1981-2011

1. Robbie Flower

2. David Schwarz

3. Garry Lyon

4. Todd Viney

5. Jimmy Stynes

6. Sean Wight

7. Brett Lovett

8. Rodney Grinter

9. Allen Jakovich

10. Stephen Tingay

Special mention to Alan Johnson, Darren Bennett and David Neitz

Edited December 18, 2011 by Grapeviney

[a la johnny beckwith 25]

An interesting exercise - damned hard to narrow it down to just 10. Well for me it is anyway. Saw my first game in the early 70's and there have been plenty of "good" and even "great" players pull on the red and blue guernsey over the journey. Not too many "champions" amongst them but they are favourites nonetheless.

Here goes - in order of appearance only.

1. Paul Callery. Immediately identifiable on the field (at the first game I ever attended - Tangles Walker was playing too!!) because he looked like a kid out there playing with and against giants. He really was a short arse. I think he also used to do a fitness spot on TV in those days so he had a bit of a media profile at the time. A more than handy player who certainly punched above his weight due to his shortness of stature.

2. Stan Alves. Captain and a standout in a fairly average outfit at the time. The realities of the new "professional" era smacked me right in the face as a youngster when our skipper defected to North for the promise of both monetary riches and premiership glory in the mid 70's - I never quite felt the same about Stan after all the crap went down (North got done for "poaching") and we eventually lost him. Doesn't alter the fact that he was one of the best I have seen in the red and blue - so he goes in!!

3. Robbie Flower. What more can be said about possibly the best ever? The feats performed by this most unlikely type, with regular monotony I might add, on the football field really do beggar belief. I have vivid memories of Robbie slotting goals, post high, with drop punts from inside the centre square at the MCG - on a regular basis. He was the best I have seen no doubt and his unending loyalty to the MFC makes him an all time favourite of mine.

4. Greg Wells. Another standout during our lowly period in the 70's. Loved the way he went about it and he always seemed to have the footy. Like Alves before him, he also received an offer too good to refuse (this time from Carlton - we got the unfortunately unproductive duo of Catoggio and Young in return. Made the loss of Wells hurt so much more - like salt in an open wound) and he unfortunately finished his career elsewhere. Met him at the 'bool a few years ago - likes a punt and likes a beer. Good bloke.

5. Laurie Fowler. May seem a bit odd including a former Tiger in this list however he was a mainstay of our backline in the 70's and one tough unit. Never shirked an issue that I can recall. A couple of B&F's were a testament to his value to the team. Also, met him a few years ago when he ran the Wheelers Hill Hotel TAB. Softened the blow of losing money on the punt somewhat knowing it was going to a good cause!!

6. Garry Hardeman. One of our better players at the time and almost pulled off a surprise Brownlow win. Actually upped stumps at one point and relocated to SA and played for Sturt in the SANFL. Pretty sure it was a financial inducement that included an offer of a job (from memory he was a Printer by trade but was actually driving cabs in Melbourne at the time!!) that enticed him over the border. Despite his brief flirtation with time travel, Hardeman eventually returned to the MFC to play out the remainder of his career and was a very solid contributor still.

7. Garry Lyon. One of the best I've seen - great player and great leader. Not sure we even saw the very best of him due to injuries which makes his performances during his stellar career with the MFC even more remarkable in my view. Fiercely loyal to the MFC, he was an inspiration to his teammates and led us with distinction. A fine ambassador for the MFC to this day.

8. Brett Lovett. This bloke was seriously underrated I reckon. Not much in the way of foot speed but read the game far better than most and very little got passed him. Always kept his feet, stood firm under opposition attack and was as dependable as they come. A great example of someone getting the very best of themselves.

9. Jim Stynes. Probably the greatest footy story of all time - it has "Hollywood Script" written all over it. A true warrior on the field and simply dominated his opponents in his Brownlow year. His post-career contribution to the MFC can never be doubted but his contribution as a player should not be understated. His obvious pride in the jumper was plain for all to see - his durability unrivaled and he literally put his body on the line for the MFC time and time again. Words cannot do him justice - simply an inspiration on and off the field to all, whether a football follower or not.

10. David Schwarz. Saw this guy playing U19's for the Dees and he just owned it. The next week he was playing in the 2's - and he made them look silly too - treated his opponents with absolute contempt. Anyone who saw him just knew we had something special - and special he was. Such was his brilliance and his dominance, in my view the knee injuries that cut him down in is prime meant we were robbed of seeing one of the great careers of all time. Was as good as, if not better than Carey before the knee injuries cruelly struck him down - and most would rate Carey in the top 10 of all time, surely?

Honorable mentions must go to Max Walker, Greg Parke, Big Carl Ditterich, Ray Biffin, Henry Coles, Stephen Smith, Gerard Healy, Alan Johnson, Greg Healy, Todd Viney, Sean Wight, Ricky Jackson, Darren Bennett, Allen Jakovich, David Neitz and Matthew Whelan. All of these players I considered favourites during their careers with the MFC - can't fit them all into the top 10 unfortunately. Hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

No current day players make the cut - they still have work to do to be rated amongst those listed above. Deliver a Premiership and of course I will happily reconsider!!

Apologies for the lengthy post - however, I could go on.....

[Red&BlueBlood 61]

S tingay

Jurrah

Watts

Sylvia

Neita

Mcclean

Robbo

Yze

Scully

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

Whelan, Grimes, Mckenzie, Trengove, Robertson, Woewodin, Neitz, Schwarz, Farmer, Frawley. Obviously weighted more heavily towards recent players and I could've chosen heaps more that I've enjoyed watching.

I've done mine in two sections.

GOLDEN ERA:

Ron Barassi

Laurie Mithen

Don Williams

Stuart Spencer

Bluey Adams

Tassie Johnson

Bob McKenzie

Bob Johnson

Ian Ridley

Hassa Mann

LESS SUCCESSFUL ERAS:

Robert Flower

Jeff Farmer

David Schwarz

Stephen Tingay

Todd Viney

Brett Lovett

Alan Johnson

Jim Stynes

Sean Wight

David Neitz

Edited December 18, 2011 by bobby mckenzie

[My TD 156]

Flower

Alan Johnson

Farmer

Moore

Lyon

Wilson

Schwarz

Tingay

Neitz

Robbo

[Guest Shirt Front]

Robbie

Alan Johnson

Gary Lyon

Jakovich

Danny Hughes

Jeff Farmer

Jim Stynes

Sean Wight

Carl Ditterich

Excellent call Franky 31, Danny Hughes was a champion.

[Guest Shirt Front]

I have to say this has been one of the best posts I have read to-date. It has been an absolute pleasure reading everyone’s comments and favourite players. I am so proud to say I am a Melbourne supporter. Keep them coming.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Started watching religiously in 1997 (probably one of the worst years to begin, haha)

1. Robertson- Maybe not the best team player, but was always a reason to go and watch the Dees, even if we were getting thumped week in and week out. Could stand on the shoulders of anyone in the competition to the mark of the year.

2. Yze- Could hit a target every time, and also had the ability to take the odd hanger or kick a beauty from the boundary.

3. Bruce- Was in the top few players in the AFL for a while. I wish he would have stayed a one club player.

4. Tingay- My first ever favourite player. Injuries ruined what could have and should have been an incredible career.

5. Neitz- Absolute champion of the club. I remember him kicking 4 goals in the first 10 or so minutes against the Swans in the early 2000s.

6. Farmer- I remember 'that mark' against the Tigers towards the end of 1998. He could change a game off his own boot. When he went to Freo I died a little inside...

7. Woewodin- That end to end 5 bounce goal against Port Adelaide in 1998, coupled with his 2000 Brownlow Medal season made him one of my favourites.

8. Jurrah- Do I really need to explain this one?

9. White- Incredible athlete and his goal vs. the Dogs that put us into the finals in 2005 is one of my favourite Demons memories.

10. Watts- I hope to see him rise to the top of this list in the coming years.

[Guest Deefence]

1. Jimmy Stynes

2. Robbie Flower

3. Ricky Jackson

4. David Neitz

5. Darren Bennett

6. Alan Jackovich

7. Adem Yze

8. Russell Robertson

9. Rohan Bail

10. David Schwarz

Apologies to Viney, Tingay, Lyon, Bartram, Sylvia, Woewodin, Farmer, Whelan and Earl Spalding.

Edited December 18, 2011 by Deefence

[Demon3 2,541]

Lyon

Neitz

farmer

Flower (didnt see alot of him)

Stynes

Ox

Brett Lovett

Matty Whelan

Sean Wight

Robbo

Love em all though.

[Hobbits's 17]

1. Jimmy Stynes

2. Robbie Flower

3. Ricky Jackson

4. David Neitz

5. Darren Bennett

6. Alan Jackovich

7. Adem Yze

8. Russell Robertson

9. Rohan Bail

10. David Schwarz

Apologies to Viney, Tingay, Lyon, Bartram, Sylvia, Woewodin, Farmer, Whelan and Earl Spalding.

17 games.