Melbourne - Prahran connection

[Demons3031 375]

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 December 30, 2019 by Demons3031
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[John Dee 445]

Jimmy Stynes

[daisycutter 29,743]

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

don williams (mfc > prahran)

jimmy's brother brian

[Vagg 2,439]

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??)

[Ethan Tremblay 30,969]

Ray Harvey

Peter Hamilton

Edited December 30, 2019 by Ethan Tremblay

[D4Life 2,535]

Kim Smith

[Dee Dee 1,117]

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.

[Docs Demons 1,792]

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

[Ethan Tremblay 30,969]

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. 

[nosoupforme 3,085]

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 December 30, 2019 by nosoupforme

[dl4e 5,851]

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.

[drysdale demon 4,837]

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 December 31, 2019 by drysdale demon
additional info

[old dee 23,872]

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.

[dl4e 5,851]

I think the fitzroy player was Ross Thornton.

[old dee 23,872]

1 minute ago, drysdale demon said:

Might have coached them if I recall.

Didn't Yeats coach Sandringham to a flag?

[pitmaster 3,578]

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.

[hemingway 7,631]

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.  

[hemingway 7,631]

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.

[Deemania since 56 6,718]

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. 

[Deemania since 56 6,718]

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.

[Sir Why You Little 37,134]

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)

[drysdale demon 4,837]

2 hours ago, old dee said:

Didn't Yeats coach Sandringham to a flag?

Yeah, perhaps I mixed them up.

[old dee 23,872]

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

[Docs Demons 1,792]

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

[joeboy 3,166]

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