As an interesting comparison, Cotchin at Richmond has decided he doesn't want to wear Dwyer's 17, as has been the common practice at Richmond for captains to do.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/cotchin-the-new-tigers-captain-20121123-29yee.html

Can't think of anyone better, an MFC supporter growing up, a responsible young man, I'm glad to see it go to someone that truly deserves it.

http://www.melbourne...video#playvideo

I'm quite happy with Grimes in the number. A more respectful & level headed kid we couldn't find, with a maturity, & loyalty without peer.

I am not a fan of players switching numbers, however in this case, given the utter disgrace that was the pathetic tiny human who wore the number before and tarnished its significance, it's nice to have a cleansing of sorts.

Grimes wholeheartedly deserves to wear this number, and can make it his own. He wouldn't have moved numbers if he wasn't keen.

It's a huge honour for him and it restores the legacy of the number, instead of it being currently known as the number worn by the [censored] who took his fat father and [censored] off for money.

Can I ask why Ron Barassi is so loved, even though he went to Carlton for money?

Can I ask why Ron Barassi is so loved, even though he went to Carlton for money?

That question doesn't need answering

How many premierships do you want from a man before he is loved by his supporters?

I heart Jack Grimes.

That is all.

How many premierships do you want from a man before he is loved by his supporters?

Thanks for the answer. That's good enough for me.

Can I ask why Ron Barassi is so loved, even though he went to Carlton for money?

Not sure he left only for money. He also left to coach and other issues happening at the time. But to answer your question:

I love him because he was a champion and he played hard. He loved the Club his father played for. He still smarts and hurts over the 58 GF loss. He defends anonymous girls being beaten up by their boyfriend in the middle of the street. He still loves the Dees. He loves his heritage both family and football. I love him because he came home to the Dees.

He is a champion footy player and a champion bloke. Not much else to say really.

Not sure he left only for money. He also left to coach and other issues happening at the time. But to answer your question:

I love him because he was a champion and he played hard. He loved the Club his father played for. He still smarts and hurts over the 58 GF loss. He defends anonymous girls being beaten up by their boyfriend in the middle of the street. He still loves the Dees. He loves his heritage both family and football. I love him because he came home to the Dees.

He is a champion footy player and a champion bloke. Not much else to say really.

he also lived with Norm Smith. He is the connection.

He left the MFC to learn to coach in his own right. He had to move sadly.

But after 6 flags he did enough for me.

Can I ask why Ron Barassi is so loved, even though he went to Carlton for money?

Can I ask you why you don't seem to?

One of our most famous players of all time. So he made a mistake. Or was it We, as a club, made a mistake in the whole handling of the Norm Smith episode?

Anyone else just see the news.com.au headline and fill their pants.

"Grimes floored again by injury". Was massively relieved it was his brother Dylan.

Can I ask you why you don't seem to?

One of our most famous players of all time. So he made a mistake. Or was it We, as a club, made a mistake in the whole handling of the Norm Smith episode?

Because, like most of us under the age of 50, Chook would have no idea what a bond with a multi-premiership player would feel like?

Ron Barassi to me was the Sydney Swans coach when I started to really have awareness about footy. I didn't even know he was a Melbourne player until I was in my twenties.

I admit to a degree of concern over this move. The number could be bad luck. Look what happened to the last guy to wear it. He wound up being an absolute [censored] and living in Western Sydney.

I guess one way of looking at it is that we are re-claiming it. It is special to Melbourne and the last guy shat on it so here we are saying stuff you. AT least that's one admittedly weird take on it....

Anyone else just see the news.com.au headline and fill their pants.

"Grimes floored again by injury". Was massively relieved it was his brother Dylan.

Yep, almost choked on my toast reading that in the paper this morning.

Because, like most of us under the age of 50, Chook would have no idea what a bond with a multi-premiership player would feel like?

Ron Barassi to me was the Sydney Swans coach when I started to really have awareness about footy. I didn't even know he was a Melbourne player until I was in my twenties.

So thats why I say to chook, his tone seemed one of total indifference, when its obvious about the affection of Melbourne supporters toward Ron.

So because your youger you sound like you have some sort of high ground on this issue. Who is this Barassi & why should we care! They same could be said about Flower in a few years.

I think everyone who is really Melbourne would have read stuff & should understand, just by listening to other Melbourne folk.

But then again some people take no notice of more mature folk.

Make take on chooks tone was he couldn't care less about Barass.

You're a funny fellow, dee-luded.

So thats why I say to chook, his tone seemed one of total indifference, when its obvious about the affection of Melbourne supporters toward Ron.

So because your youger you sound like you have some sort of high ground on this issue. Who is this Barassi & why should we care! They same could be said about Flower in a few years.

You as an older supporter hold Barassi in the esteem you do because you probably had days at the footy where he got you the blood and adrenaline pumping through your body. I know what that feels like - players like Jim Stynes had that effect on me, especially when I was younger. I imagine it would increase tenfold with each jubilant flag, but I wouldn't actually know and you can't expect me to. It's got nothing to do with a "high ground" - it's just that we had no opportunity to bond.

Do you feel as passionately about Ivor Warne-Smith as you do Barassi? How about Dick Wardill? Why/why not? I call a pre-emptive "bullshit" if you say you do.

I think everyone who is really Melbourne would have read stuff & should understand, just by listening to other Melbourne folk.

Sure, and many of us young people - especially those of us who waste heaps of time on this forum - are pretty well versed on the history, but that's a long way from experiencing it.

But then again some people take no notice of more mature folk.

Whatever happened to the roll eyes smiley, anyway?

Have to agree with deeluded here.

Go and read up on Barassi Snr - a Tobruk rat who wore the 31, his son who was 'adopted' by the Greatest AFL Coach of All Time, his career in the 31, the flags he won in the number, and the coach he became at other clubs.

Look into it, read up on it, watch this:

http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8458100

It's more than just a number.

Have to agree with deeluded here.

Go and read up on Barassi Snr - a Tobruk rat who wore the 31, his son who was 'adopted' by the Greatest AFL Coach of All Time, his career in the 31, the flags he won in the number, and the coach he became at other clubs.

Look into it, read up on it, watch this:

http://sixtyminutes....aspx?id=8458100

It's more than just a number.

This all just boils down to whether you believe in the symbolism of a number or not. This is actually so close to an argument about religion that I can't believe I've been sucked in.

This all just boils down to whether you believe in the symbolism of a number or not. This is actually so close to an argument about religion that I can't believe I've been sucked in.

Just give us romantics 31.

Every other number you can do what you like with. We have a mythology with this bloke and I would prefer to keep it.

Religion?

You better believe it...

Forget Richmond's #17 or Hawthorn's #23 - Melbourne's #31 is the most revered number in football. The fact that it means nothing to some of our younger posters is all the more reason to roll it out again - to keep it where it belongs.

I'm not old enough to have seen Barassi in his prime - but I am old enough to know the legend. He left Melbourne because he wanted to coach .As far as he was concerned his coach - ,and foster father - was entitled to coach the Demons forever ....... and that meant that he had to move on. But he came back.

As others have said, its not about a number - its about respect for your club and its history.

For the sake of the kids who had No 16 on their backs I reckon its important that #16 goes to someone with an exciting future - Viney (before he moves to #12) or Toumpas !!

Go #31 ( and #16)

Just give us romantics 31.

Every other number you can do what you like with. We have a mythology with this bloke and I would prefer to keep it.

Religion?

You better believe it...

If we are combining romanticism and religion can we include 2 with 31. For different reasons it is worth as much

So what did all the romantics do before RDB made the 31 jumper legendary?

Romanticism and History aside this now makes the number 31 jumper more lucrative to sell. As I am sure sales in the number 31 declined after HWFUA pulled it on. So all round good move by the club now all we need is on field success.

So what did all the romantics do before RDB made the 31 jumper legendary?

Don;t know....... dreamt of peace and Ivor Warne Smith , I suppose

So what did all the romantics do before RDB made the 31 jumper legendary?

I'm not sure.

Who did you love before you had kids?