THE NAME GAME by Whispering Jack

[Demonland 73,146]

The long period allocated for AFL clubs in which to recruit players has brought 14 new players to the club but it has also unearthed some old names and since I'm a great believer that any co-incidence might bring better times for the Demons, what could be better than to link new with old in the search for a bigger and better club?

In its entire history, the Melbourne Football Club has had only one player whose surname is Hogan and that player managed only one game for club. He was Joe Hogan and his sole game in the red and blue came against Carlton in Round 6, 1932 at a ground that no longer exists - the Motordrome which was situated in what is now known as the Olympic Park precinct.

Very little is known of Joe Hogan who was born on 27 March, 1909, wore the number 13 and came to the club from Ballarat Imperial. He played under legendary captain-coach Ivor Warne Smith.

The Demons had a poor season in 1932 finishing ninth with only four wins and they were no match for the Blues who were premiership favourites and ultimately finished minor premiers only to be knocked off their perch by the Tigers in the grand final. The game was played at the Motordome because the MCG had undergone resurfacing works and the fertiliser used on the ground was a hazard to players.

A crowd of 12,500 turned up to witness the game and the Fuchsias made a good fist of things in the first half to hold a five-point lead against the inaccurate Blues at the main break. The visitors overpowered them to win by four goals and I know absolutely nothing of how Hogan went other than that he never played again.

The team finally broke through for a win in Round 9 against St. Kilda and made it three in a row with wins over Fitzroy and Essendon. The only other win came against wooden spooner Hawthorn.

Although we heard no more of Joe, the club's next J. Hogan is due to pull on the boots next year. I'm betting that big 17 year old key position player Jesse, has a much longer and more celebrated career than the last.

A number of players who carry the more common name of Jones, including current club champion Nathan, have represented Melbourne over the years so recruit Matt Jones should feel quite at home at the club.

I could write a book about all of the Jones' but, at the time of writing the end of the world was about to arrive and I was restricted for time and space, so I will simply list their names and records in brief form:-

■ Alfred E Jones 24 games, 18 goals (1908-9) from Port Rovers;

■ Brent Jones 45 games, 5 goals (1966-71) from MFC reserves. At 191cm, 85.5kg, Jones played in the ruck and as a key defender in an unsuccessful era for the club;

■ Carlyle T Jones 11 games, 14 goals (1925-6, 1929). Played one game for St. Kilda in 1931;

■ Dennis Jones 62 games, 4 goals (1956-60, 1962). The strongly built 183cm, 90kg defender who could take a mark, played in the club's 1959 premiership team and later came back for a brief and unsuccessful stint as coach in 1978;

■ Gordon A Jones 61 games, 2 goals (1935-40). A dashing defender from Maryborough, Jones represented the state and played at centre half back in Melbourne's 1939 and 1940 premiership team despite the fact he was only 179cm tall;

■ Les Jones 121 games, 88 goals (1933-41). A dasher who played at half forward and kicked three goals in the 1939 premiership team;

■ Nathan Jones 135 games, 68 goals (2006 -) from Mount Eliza. The nuggety midfielder is one of the club favourites and is current best and fairest;

■ Raymond Jones 1 game (1949) from Collingwood.

Now we extend the welcome mat to the latest Jones - Matt, who is already creating an impression in early training sessions.

The other old/new name to grace the Melbourne playing list is "Viney" but, in this case, it's no co-incidence. Jack Viney is the son of Demon great Todd and the nephew of lesser known Jay who represented the club in the 80s and 90s.

I've always considered Round 1, 1987 as one of the turning points in the club's history. The Demons beat Fitzroy comfortably in that game but things weren't shaping all that spectacularly until a late run at the end of the season saw the Demons in the finals for the first time since 1964. Much of the credit for that goes to the development work commenced under Ron Barassi's coaching earlier in the decade and to the recruiting of interstate talent at the end of John Northey's first season as coach in 1986. Three newcomers, Warren Dean and Earl Spalding (WA) and Todd Viney (Sturt) all made their debuts in the opening round of 1987. They were recruited by a young Cameron Schwab and their infusion into the team brought new life to the Melbourne Football Club.

Todd was a tough as nails midfielder who didn't take long to make an impression. In just his second season, he was elevated to the vice captaincy (at age 21) and was a member of the club's losing grand final team in the same year. He remained an important cog in the Demon line up for several years, winning best and fairest honours in 1993 and 1998, the latter being his first year as captain when he led the team to a preliminary final. He retired at the end of the following season still at the height of his ability but succumbing to a sciatic nerve problem.

Viney was a regular member of the SA State of Origin team through the 90s including his last season, achieved All Australian honours in 1998 and played 233 games (the most by a Demon wearing the number 12) and kicked 92 goals. In mid career, he had a brief stint to join the coaching staff for tennis player Mark Phillipousis but that didn't quite work out and he was soon back playing football for the Demons.

Todd Viney is also a member of Melbourne's team of the 20th century.

After his retirement, he coached in the country, worked with the Hawks during their 2008 Premiership season, moving to Adelaide in 2009. He returned to the Demons in 2010 as General Manager of Player Development, filled in as coach after the sacking of Dean Bailey and is currently National Recruiting Manager.

Todd's brother, Jay made his debut late in the 1988 season wearing number 26 against West Coast at Subiaco and finished up at the club at the end of 1991 after 23 games (4 goals). Like Todd, he was recruited from Sturt. He was reserves best and fairest in 1990 and despite having his best season in 1991, he was lured home and captained the Two Blues in 1993 and 1994 before moving to North Adelaide where he was skipper in 1997 and 1998.

A younger Viney brother, Ryan, trained with the Demons after the 2000 season but was not drafted.

That may not auger well for Jack's younger brother Max but in true AFL fashion, I've decided for the time being to take things one Viney at a time!