I loved watching David Neitz play and think he was a champion but he is underrated by many in the football world.  The link below recognizes how his teammates saw him.  David retired when a neck injury ended his career.  He was entitled to a career ending injury payout of several hundred thousand dollars at the time but didn't claim it because of the Club's dire financial situation.  I hope we've paid him now that we are financially stable.  He's up there with my three favourite players and deserves his own thread after being inducted into the MFC Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Neita, loved watching you big fella, one of my heroes. 

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-05-31/what-they-said-about-david-neitz-

Champion player, champion bloke he could pick up the whole team and carry them with him, still remember that Luke McCabe hit and goal 1 of my favorite footy moments, should be inducted into the AFL Hall Of Fame in due course 

Played out of position in the forward line but did what was best for the team.

Had he remained at CHB I think he would have been more highly regarded in the football world.

Would be a more than handy player in the current team.

Congrats to him, a well deserved honour.

As David would say himself  "Fantastic".  Geez he loved saying that word in interviews....

Interesting looking at our list of Legends.  I expect J.Stynes to be added to the list at some stage but to me there is one gaping omission.  R.Flower.  Has to be a legend!

Hall of Fame Legends
2001 – Norm Smith
2003 – Ron Barassi
2006 – Ian Ridley
2008 – Donald Cordner
2013 – Ivor Warne-Smith

We haven't a bloke since who you'd back to slot a goal from outside 50.

1 minute ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

We haven't a bloke since who you'd back to slot a goal from outside 50.

Wasn't it great when he and Schwarter were up and about. The ZZZZZ factor.

5 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

We haven't a bloke since who you'd back to slot a goal from outside 50.

I remember Neita having a day out against St Kilda and he was nailing them from everywhere. One was right in front of the members stand 50m out on the boundary line. When his radar was on, boy was it on! And those hands could clutch any ball coming his way!

That combination of Neitz, Schwartz, Lyon, and Farmer in 1998 will be the best forward line I'll ever see lineup for Melbourne. Throw in that Robbo was a young developing kid at that stage too!

Was sad that he had to go out with that neck injury, we seemed to have a bad run of players suddenly retiring. I think that was what spooked the club into moving Junior on. 

Just quickly he's also doing really good things trying to raise money for MND research with the beer Brewmanity. 

How on earth have Jimmy and Robbie not been nominated ahead of Ridley?!?

David Neitz was a rarity in footy - a champion defender at CHB and a champion forward at FF. He had already established himself at CHB until Balme sent him forward when Balme realised in the mid 90s, in the years when we were struck with significant injuries, that scoring goals was more important than saving goals. Balme's best move as a coach.

Saw David once after a family day at Luna Park walking his dog - a tiny little ball of fluff. If it is true that owners end up resembling their dogs, then it says a lot about what David is in person - a gentle, genial and gracious guy. Any awards are well deserved.

As for the best forward line, the 1994 combination of a pre injury Lyon (Footscray game), a pre injury Schwar (Carlton game), and an under control Pike was a good as it gets.

The rules for elevation to Legend status should be checked - it is inconceivable that either Jimmy or Robbie would not be elevated as soon as they were eligible.