There are plenty of others, but straight off the bat:

1. Ivor Warne-Smith (did return) (two brownlows, premiership captain)

2. Fred Fanning left aged 25 (All-time goal-kicking champ for dees)

3. Stuart Spencer, 25.

4. Laurie Mithen

5. Bob Johnson 25. Went to premiership glory in W.A

6. Ron Barassi 28

7. Gerard Healey

8. Hassa Mann

9. Ian Ridley 25

10. Tom Scully (!) (Insert Michael Byrne)

Scott Thompson

Gary Hardeman

Greg Wells

Stan Alves

Ross Dillon

Ray Nilsson

Adrian Bowden

Greg Parke

Hassa Mann

Ron Barassi

Don Williams (came back)

Stuart Spencer

Gerard Healy

Edited December 19, 201113 yr by 3031

Earl Spalding

Scott Thompson

Greg Wells

Gerard Healy

Norm Smith??

Maybe not still in his prime, but hardly past it.

Yes good call bjDee

Norm Smith??

Maybe not still in his prime, but hardly past it.

He did in fact leave in his prime, at the end of 1948 when he captained Melbourne to the premiership. Coached Fitzroy for three years think he played some games too.

I always felt John Beckwith still had lots left in him and left when close to his best.

http://demonwiki.org/John+Beckwith

There are plenty of others, but straight off the bat:

1. Ivor Warne-Smith (did return) (two brownlows, premiership captain)

2. Fred Fanning left aged 25 (All-time goal-kicking champ for dees)

3. Stuart Spencer, 25.

4. Laurie Mithen

5. Bob Johnson 25. Went to premiership glory in W.A

6. Ron Barassi 28

7. Gerard Healey

8. Hassa Mann

9. Ian Ridley 25

10. Tom Scully (!) (Insert Michael Byrne)

Fred Fanning left the club to become captain coach of Hamilton FC in the Western Districts League. Here, he was paid 3 times the amount he was earning at Melbourne. About 40 pounds a game. Can't blame him for leaving.

I would have thought the players who were the backbone of our great 1939-41 flags who never played again or had their careers interrupted due to WWII deserve a mention.

Bluey Truscott, Harold Ball and Syd Anderson died in WWII. 3 flaggers like Wartman and Richie Emselle (Father of Ken) were barely seen again as players. Players like Norm Smith and Allan La Fontaine missed many good years

Ross Brewer. Probably belongs in the coodabeens thread as well.

Glenn McLean left Melbourne as a ruckman on the rise but promptly disappeared up his own arse.

Tom Scully is hardly in his prime, and I wouldn't have thought Scott Thompson was either when he left.

Stan Alves was sacked. I went to a coaches clinic a few years ago and he explained that he didn't leave but was sacked because they were starting on a youth policy and he was told by the newly appointed coach, I think it was Skilton, that he didn't fit into the strategy. He wasn't happy and thought his career was over but got a call out of the blue from North and went on to play in a Premiership the next season.

Ross Brewer. Probably belongs in the coodabeens thread as well.

ross Brewer. Good get. Yes he was a favorite Demon in the early days of my support.

He went to the Filth and played finals. I hated that fact.

jnr...though not of his own volition. every touch he gets is gonna burn

I thought Matthew Bishop was on the cusp of being one of the leagues better defenders when he left for Port. Was also at a time when we were crying our for tall defenders

Stephen Powell?

Not sure if Powelly wasn't past it by the time he left, but I reckon the Wizard was just about hitting his straps by the time he flew West?!

Michael Newton

Gerard Healy

Michael Newton

hahahahahaha

Surprised not to see Farmer on anyones response.

"suprised" you can't read. Try Demonators post above.

Darren Jolly and The Wiz.

Jolly was hardly in his prime when he left. He'd managed to relegate himself to third string behind White & Jamar. He then spent several years as Sydney's #2 ruck before he became a quality player.

The Wiz hurt. My cousin's then 8yo son idolised him. When told Jeff had left, he silently went into his bedroom & tore down the many Wiz posters that covered his walls.