Jump to content

Melbourne - Prahran connection

Demons3031
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

When I was very young (Born 1950), Dad used to take me to see matches at the G- the old Bay 13. I do remember the Cordner brothers the first time Dad took me. Then Dad took me to a Prahran game and  pointed out at least one ex Melbourne Player. It was  then that I learned the link between Prahran and the Demons. Denis Jones was one of the  first links.  He wrote a message for me once -Dad got it for me "Always keep your eye on the ball Tim " :) Denis Jones retired from the Dees soon after and went to play for Prahran. 

I remember in our lean years  in the  60's and early 70's when I went to see the Dees, Prahran supplied Melbourne with some players--Kerry Ryan and Rod Payne were two-we needed goal kickers! 

Many Dees went on to play their sunset years with Prahran. Ken Emselle, John Townsend, Bryan Kenneally, Brian Dixon to name a few.  Would anyone like to contribute to a list of who they remember went on to Prahran or vice  versa? I know a few more but would love to hear other's memories. :)

 

Edited by Demons3031
spelling

  • Quote
    •  

    Jimmy Stynes

  • Quote

    maurie bartlett - both directions (prahran > mfc > prahran)

    don williams (mfc > prahran)

    jimmy's brother brian

  • Quote
    •  
    42 minutes ago, Demons3031 said:

    Many Dees went on to play their sunset years with Prahran. Ken Emselle, John Townsend, Bryan Kenneally, Brian Dixon to name a few.  

    There's a list of MFC Royalty, if ever I saw one! 

    Emselle & Townsend were both great Rovers.  I seem to recall that they weren't both able to get on the park at the same time for long periods.  First one of them had a long-term injury.  And, just as he was returning to the field, the other one hit the long-term injury list.  Anyone else remember that?  (Or, is it just the Old-timer's disease kicking in again??)

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    Through the fog of memory, I seem to recall Jimmy Stynes very early in his career being shuffled of to Prahran to learn how to play the game. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what I recall. And (again through the fog of time) I seem to recall Jimmy in later years attending a Prahran end of season celebration.

  • Quote

    Didn't Graeme Yeats play for Prahan or like many before me the memory is fading!!

  • Quote
    •  
    35 minutes ago, Docs Demons said:

    Didn't Graeme Yeats play for Prahan or like many before me the memory is fading!!

    Yep, his original team. 

  • Quote

    Peter Giles started his career at Sandringham before moving to Melbourne played 120 odd games He was cut short with a knee injury when he slid into a goal post at the MCG city end. I was there mid 80s  ( bad with dates) I am.  Finish his career at Prahran and in 1988 played a season with brother Glenn and Scott. He also served as chairman of selectors  at Prahran for a season .

    Edited by nosoupforme

  • Quote

    Was always a mad Prahran supporter going back from mid seventies onwards. Only premiership I seen live was the 78 win over Preston. Plenty of good afl players in that side such as Johnstone, Kekovich and a fitzroy player whose name escapes me at the momment. I can't really remember a melbourne connection though although I do remember Yeats and Giles. Others mentioned were probably before my time.

  • Quote
    2 hours ago, Docs Demons said:

    Didn't Graeme Yeats play for Prahan or like many before me the memory is fading!!

    Might have coached them if I recall as well

    Edited by drysdale demon
    additional info

  • Quote

    The great days of the VFA long gone sadly. Unfortunately the ground is too small or it could have a good site for our training ground/ home.

  • Quote
    • Sad 1

    I think the fitzroy player was Ross Thornton.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    1 minute ago, drysdale demon said:

    Might have coached them if I recall.

    Didn't Yeats coach Sandringham to a flag?

  • Quote

    Wayne Johnston asked for a clearance to Melbourne while playing for Prahran. Unfortunately Alex Jesaulenko, then coaching Carlton, insisted on seeing Johnston in action before clearing him. So close.

  • Quote
    14 hours ago, Demons3031 said:

    Kerry Ryan and Rod Payne were two-we needed goal kickers! 

    Sadly, Rod Payne recently passed away.

    Very tall but too slow and awkward for the big time. 

    Ended up a very successful business man after footy.  

  • Quote
    13 hours ago, daisycutter said:

    maurie bartlett - both directions (prahran > mfc > prahran)

    A great build for a centre half forward and a strong overhead mark.

    Promised so much when he first played with Melbourne, but did not fulfill his promise.

  • Quote
    2 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

    Yep, his original team. 

    Absolute ripper backman, Yeats. Usually fronted in the pocket; virtually never beaten by his opponent(s) and a great linking clearance machine. One of the best, as good as Frank Davis. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    1 hour ago, dl4e said:

    Was always a mad Prahran supporter going back from mid seventies onwards. Only premiership I seen live was the 78 win over Preston. Plenty of good afl players in that side such as Johnstone, Kekovich and a fitzroy player whose name escapes me at the momment. I can't really remember a melbourne connection though although I do remember Yeats and Giles. Others mentioned were probably before my time.

    Graeme Osborne ( The Racehorse) - he was given games with Prahran in recovery from injury. Fastest bloke on the field, I'd reckon.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Always amuses me when older Supporters (like me now!!) refer to the 1960’s and 70’s as “The lean Years”

    What were the other years until now?

    Sandringham was my stomping ground

    Bluff Road. 
     

    Go the Zebs.... (So sad they mean nothing to me now)

  • Quote
    20 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

    Always amuses me when older Supporters (like me now!!) refer to the 1960’s and 70’s as “The lean Years”

    What were the other years until now?

    Sandringham was my stomping ground

    Bluff Road. 
     

    Go the Zebs.... (So sad they mean nothing to me now)

    There is nothing as constant as change SWYL

  • Quote
    •  
    2 hours ago, dl4e said:

    Was always a mad Prahran supporter going back from mid seventies onwards. Only premiership I seen live was the 78 win over Preston. Plenty of good afl players in that side such as Johnstone, Kekovich and a fitzroy player whose name escapes me at the momment. I can't really remember a melbourne connection though although I do remember Yeats and Giles. Others mentioned were probably before my time.

    Used to go watch Prahran a bit in those days seeing old Blackburn team mates in Rod Appleton and Alan Peach. Many a fine Sunday arvo was had by all particularly seeing we were allowed in those days to take our Tallies in !! By the way that Fitzroy player may have been Appleton as he had a couple of seasons at the Roys.

    Those days in the VFA were great. Used to love Dandenong play Port Melbourne. Sure bet their would be a BIFFO

  • Quote

    I was invited to partake in a pre season with Prahran in the early 70’s.. does that count as a Melbourne /Prahran connection?

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Carlton

      Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: North Melbourne

      I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Werribee

      The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Carlton

      The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Haha
      • 222 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: North Melbourne

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • 29 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

      The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

        • Haha
      • 253 replies
      Demonland
    View All