Which MFC player have you met personally?

[leave it to deever 17,450]

55 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

Not sure how I stumbled upon this. Makes me want to cry. Jimmy, Troy, no shortage of tragedy. Really hope this is our year.

Glad you did. Tx.

[Hopeful Demon 1,468]

I had a photo taken with Colin Sylvia in 2012, when I was only 10 years old. Whenever I look at that photo I can't help but feel a bit sad about what happened to him six years later.

[Fanatique Demon 2,623]

I have a great memory to share.

In 1989 at Leicester Square London, I was standing behind Hassa Mann in the queue at the half price theatre tickets booth. I said, “Excuse me. You’re Hassa Mann.” He turned and immediately held out his hand for me to shake and said, “Yes, pleased to meet you.” He could easily have thought, oh no, can’t a guy have a holiday without being recognised. 
We had a very good chat while waiting in the queue. Turned out my sister and his wife were good friends and I got to meet them at my sister’s house a couple of times years later. It’s a wonderful memory for me because Hassa Mann was one of my favourite players when I was a kid.

I also met Ronald Dale a couple of times but neither time was as memorable as meeting the great Hassa Mann. 

[Josh 1,420]

Me and my wife won an auction for my 2 sons (8 and 6) for their birthdays to meet and greet Petracca and we done it today. 

He was amazingly generous with his time and was genuinely interested to hear about their auskick and their school, friends and anything else they wanted to walk about. Heaps of photos and a couple of signed gurnseys.

Absolute class act, can not speak highly enough.

[Phil C 718]

Not me but my brother once met Barassi when he was coaching the Swans at the SCG. He went to look at training on a school trip and one of his mates threw a rugby pass to him (we grew up in NSW) and Barassi goes, ‘that’s not a handball son!’  My brother loved it being an AFL supporter. 
 

I bumped into TMAC with my then 8 year old son a few years ago after training and he was an absolute champion. Happy to chat for a while. Living in Alice we’ve met a lot of the boys when they play in the NT and they are so well drilled at interacting with the fans, especially the kids. Love it. 

[CBDees 3,165]

7 hours ago, hardtack said:

At the Shanghai, China game, I got to meet and chat with, at various times during the day, Lynden Dunn, Aaron Davey, Max Walker and David Neitz. A nice bunch of people.

I studied (Architecture) with Max Walker. He was an all-round good bloke.?

[Old Bear 388]

Played against a lot of ex VFL players in my Bush Career

But the one who worried me the most was the thought of Greg Parke using my back as a step ladder as I filled the gap at CHB as all good ruckman do

Greg was one of my hero’s growing up

So as you do I tried to shirtfront at him first opportunity 

Result Free and Goal to Parky

[The heart beats true 17,788]

A few years back (must have been around 2013-14) I used to go to a cafe in East Melbourne and Dean Kent and his Girlfriend would often go there and eat. Really nice people.

I often overheard them whispering about which one of them would have to order - as they were just 18 at the time, quite shy, and socially nervous.

It made me feel really old. My days of being anxious to chat to a waitress are sadly over. I’ve had enough Kale smoothies to know I don’t need to ask what’s in it, or ever have another one.

[joeboy 3,145]

My family and I were teamed up for a photo shoot for the HeraldSun with Ron Barassi just prior to the 2018 finals series.

Ron was already quite obviously succumbing to the onset of dementia but his body was still strong and his mind acutely aware of the Dees’ requirements to succeed..

He was still an imposing but extremely friendly figure

 

Edited July 11, 2021 by joeboy

[deebug 1,754]

I was lucky enough to speak to Robbie Flower at one of our family days, and also had a photo taken, he was so nice?

Met Jack Viney at the B&F a few years ago, he was lovely spoke how he was looking forward to going on holidays to Vietnam at the time.

Same B&F Brian Dixon came up to a group of us to say hello.

Ox is great as well, he always takes the time speak to fans, as well as getting a photo taken.

[binman 41,949]

16 hours ago, joeboy said:

I was fortunate enough to be on first name basis with Robby Flower, though we really only met a handful of times.

He was a courteous and gentle man…the most unlikely looking football genius you could ever meet.

I don't mean this in a patronising, or facetious way, but Robbie was ahead of his time in many ways.

I grew up a passionate dees fan. The only fan of the dees, and the only fan of footy actually, in my family.

Robbie was my hero. The only one I have ever had.

And in the 70s and 80s, his grace and compassion  and - what a perfect word for Robbie joeboy - his gentleness was decidedly uncommon for men. Particularly those playing football.

Add in his fierce desire to play to his limits whatever the score and his leadership, a finer role model you could not find.

I went to his memorial at the g and the love for the man was so incredibly palpable.

When we win a flag, I'm sure my thoughts will turn to Robbie.

Edited July 11, 2021 by binman

[WalkingCivilWar 39,259]

I’ve only ever met one Dees player, but the circumstances under which we met were not good. I was in year 12 at school and a girl in year 10 who would’ve been 16yo at the time, told me she was “seeing” a guy who was nearly twice her age and was married with kids. She asked for my advice as regards what she should do. Of course I told her she should break it off. That very same day I ran into her after school, outside our school. She said ****** is picking me up (she’d only told me his first name). She said I could wait with her and she’d introduce us. Imagine my shock when a current (at the time) senior MFC player pulled up. I was too rattled to go to his car to meet him, so I just said a quick goodbye and took off home in a state of confusion/disbelief. 

Anyways, she did break it off with him and it never became public. 

Over the ensuing decades I’ve occasionally thought about it and I grapple with the fact that I should’ve reported it to the police, or advised her to, but didn’t. At the very least I should’ve told a teacher, or our school principal. But I was very young as well and didn’t know any better. So yeah, I hope to one day meet one of our players under way better circumstances. 
Edit: I sorta feel bad for dragging this thread down to a disgusting level but FWIW divulging this has made me feel a little better about the whole sordid story. 

Edited July 11, 2021 by WalkingCivilWar

[Demon17 5,056]

On 1/15/2007 at 11:59 AM, dazzledavey36 said:

I'll start of by saying I remember chatting to Adam Yze a couple of years ago and he is a great bloke. Took the time to have a chat and sign my jumper. Nathan Brown is a ripper of a bloke too!

I haven't really had any players that have snubbed me yet.

Barry Vagg in 1966. Gary Hardeman in 1975.

And got a selfie with Robbo in the outer at Adelaide Oval while he was standing with the Dees faithful in 2017

[Neil Crompton 5,309]

Too many moons ago when I was in primary school, a student teacher came to do his apprenticeship, and he was immediately appointed as our football coach. His name was David Parkin. I like to think our team inspired his later outstanding coaching career.

While in year 10 our school appointed BryanKenneally as its Phys Ed teacher. Unfortunately he was never asked to coach our football team for some strange reason. Lovely man though, but I kept getting reminded that his name was not Bryan during school hours.

[pineapple dee 2,892]

I have met two former players, the first being Jack Mueller when I was about 12 at the Commonwealth Golf Club where I was a caddy. I got a bit of a shock when I shook his hand and discovered he only had 3 fingers. He was a lovely personable guy.

The second was Robbo who came to the school where I was teaching and addressed the students. He must have sensed I was a Melbourne fan because I was sitting there in the lecture theatre with red flashing demon horns on my head. He really related well to the students who were mostly Carlton or Collingwood fans.

The last one, more recent, was Clayton Oliver who was  in the supermarket with his girlfriend just after he got drafted.

I shook his hand and wished him all the best with his career. That's going well so far !!

I 

 

[Jaded No More 67,642]

50 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I’ve only ever met one Dees player, but the circumstances under which we met were not good. I was in year 12 at school and a girl in year 10 who would’ve been 16yo at the time, told me she was “seeing” a guy who was nearly twice her age and was married with kids. She asked for my advice as regards what she should do. Of course I told her she should break it off. That very same day I ran into her after school, outside our school. She said ****** is picking me up (she’d only told me his first name). She said I could wait with her and she’d introduce us. Imagine my shock when a current (at the time) senior MFC player pulled up. I was too rattled to go to his car to meet him, so I just said a quick goodbye and took off home in a state of confusion/disbelief. 

Anyways, she did break it off with him and it never became public. 

Over the ensuing decades I’ve occasionally thought about it and I grapple with the fact that I should’ve reported it to the police, or advised her to, but didn’t. At the very least I should’ve told a teacher, or our school principal. But I was very young as well and didn’t know any better. So yeah, I hope to one day meet one of our players under way better circumstances. 
Edit: I sorta feel bad for dragging this thread down to a disgusting level but FWIW divulging this has made me feel a little better about the whole sordid story. 

Unfortunately this is not such an uncommon occurrence. A 'friend' (no longer) of mine in high school was going out with a much older footballer who was also married with kids. Another friend had a fling with a Melbourne player, when she was only 17 and he was 25 or 26. He was single, so at least there is that.

This happens all the time, and I dare say it is more frequent now that footballers have social media and so are easily accessible. The only way to get it on with a footballer when I was in high school is to go out to nightclubs where they frequented. Knowing the promoter always helped, because you'd be let in even when you were underage. I knew a few of these promoters, so it was easy to get into clubs when we were 16 and 17, and players absolutely would hit on you and never enquire about your age. 

Edited July 12, 2021 by Jaded

[Sydee 4,186]

Not a player but Swooper Northey used to live a few doors down the road when he was coaching the Dees and I'd occasionally chat to him - used to walk my dog with his wife and daughter at the local park as we had the same dog breed (Dobermans)

Swoop wasn't much of a dog walker !

[Guest]

I’ve already mentioned Ditta elsewhere, but I also met Darren Bennett and Cuddles Connolly when I was a little tacker in 1989. We were up in Queensland as a family and since I hadn’t been to any other Melbourne game that didn’t involve Collingwood, we drove to Carrara to see us hang on by 13 points.

We got to the portable change rooms they had at the ground and tried to get in and talk to the players. There were so few of us and most of us were kids or parents, so we thought it would be OK. But Chris Skase had despatched a team of security monkeys more akin to those sectors guarding one of those parties that Candyman bloke holds on the Goldy.

Thankfully, Billy Bennett (who wasn’t playing that day) stepped outside with Cuddles and engaged the kids waiting outside. I remember Bennett was very apologetic and bewildered as well as to why we couldn’t get in. Connolly was great with the kids, and it’s a shame that they didn’t have him in that community building role from moment for when he returned to the club. He was very garrulous and sociable.

I got both their autographs and some great memories after having a precocious SA kid scream in my ear for 20 minutes straight. He wanted the Bears to win as he hated Victorians.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Colin B. Flaubert

[WalkingCivilWar 39,259]

5 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Unfortunately this is not such an uncommon occurrence. A 'friend' (no longer) of mine in high school was going out with a much older footballer who was also married with kids. Another friend had a fling with a Melbourne player, when she was only 17 and he was 25 or 26. He was single, so at least there is that.

This happens all the time, and I dare say it is more frequent now that footballers have social media and so are easily accessible. The only way to get it on with a footballer when I was in high school is to go out to nightclubs where they frequented. Knowing the promoter always helped, because you'd be let in even when you were underage. I knew a few of these promoters, so it was easy to get into clubs when we were 16 and 17, and players absolutely would hit on you and never enquire about your age. 

Thanks Jaded, hearing that makes me feel a bit better about the whole situation. ?

[Jaded No More 67,642]

Just now, WalkingCivilWar said:

Thanks Jaded, hearing that makes me feel a bit better about the whole situation. ?

I should add that I've met some really lovely footballers over the years, who were kind and respectful. Like in every walk of life, there is always that 5-10% of scum. 

I do remember however beating the Saints in that final where Carroll starred and we went out afterwards and got fairly wasted and ran into Nick Del Santo and I told him his team sucked and he was quite nice about it, which was very gracious of him. I was a drunk brat in a Melbourne scarf and he just laughed it off. I guess if I was a guy maybe he would have reacted differently.

 

[WalkingCivilWar 39,259]

15 minutes ago, Jaded said:

ran into Nick Del Santo and I told him his team sucked and he was quite nice about it, which was very gracious of him. I was a drunk brat in a Melbourne scarf and he just laughed it off. I guess if I was a guy maybe he would have reacted differently.

 

Or if it was Stephen Milne he would’ve reacted differently. ?

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, Jaded said:

I should add that I've met some really lovely footballers over the years, who were kind and respectful. Like in every walk of life, there is always that 5-10% of scum. 

I do remember however beating the Saints in that final where Carroll starred and we went out afterwards and got fairly wasted and ran into Nick Del Santo and I told him his team sucked and he was quite nice about it, which was very gracious of him. I was a drunk brat in a Melbourne scarf and he just laughed it off. I guess if I was a guy maybe he would have reacted differently.

 

Indeed, some of the stories I’ve heard on the grapevine as well as from various women in Melbourne would turn one’s hair white.

There is a nature vs. nurture argument to be had here. I went to primary school, and my younger brother was good mates, with Stevie J. As a student teacher, I also taught Matt Rosa before he was sent to St. Pats in Ballarat on a football scholarship. The latter was one of the nicest kids you would want to meet. I hope it stayed that way (and hopefully it did).

[Smokey 4,345]

Met Gawny back in 09 in Fed Square before QB I believe. I'm 6"1 and I look tiny in the photo we took together. Great bloke

Met Robbo too, another champion bloke. One of my fav players growing up. 

The player I'd most love to meet (and ideally have a beer with) would have to be Stevie May. 

[John Crow Batty 8,772]

The first MFC footballers I met were Rod Grinter and Earl Spaulding at a pub. A friend and I had a doubles pool game with them. Both amiable and friendly guys. Grinter looked a lot slimmer  in real life but his hands were enormous. I guess not news to Terry Wallace. 

Edited July 12, 2021 by John Crow Batty

[Jaded No More 67,642]

1 hour ago, Smokey said:

Met Gawny back in 09 in Fed Square before QB I believe. I'm 6"1 and I look tiny in the photo we took together. Great bloke

Met Robbo too, another champion bloke. One of my fav players growing up. 

The player I'd most love to meet (and ideally have a beer with) would have to be Stevie May. 

Have to agree re: Gawn and Robbo. Both really nice guys.

I have to say Jack Watts is also really lovely. He went to school with some good friends of mine, so I have met him a few times and he was really really nice. I know he has a pretty poor reputation off the field, but I can't say a bad word about him. 

Can also confirm Jake Stringer is an even bigger [censored] off the field as he is on it. I loath him as a human. Absolute lowlife.