There is occasionally (rare) the romantic footy story of a player returning to their original club. Paul Salmon is the best example that I recall. 
 

For the Dees, I can only recall Carl Ditterich as an example although he will be remembered as a Saints man. Ironically he was a “return” at the Saints and the Dees. He played with Melbourne from 1973-75 and then as player/coach 1979&80.  

I am still thinking that one day perhaps Jesse Hogan could return but history shows it is a 0.01% chance of happening for any club or player.  

Chris Aitken played for the club in 1967 and 1969, then left and came back again for a few games in 1977. He’s Wilbur Wilde’s brother.

 

Gary Hardeman went to play in South Australia in the 70's then came back to play under Barassi in 1980.

Norm Smith left Melbourne in 1948 and played for the Royboys as coach in 1949?  He came back to Melbourne 1950s as coach. 

Peter Patrick Pius Paul Crackers Keenan - 1970-1975 101 games; 1981-82 - 30 games

Don Williams left Melbourne late 50s or early 60s went back to play for Sale then came back to star in Melbourne's '64 premiership team.

Todd Viney ‘retired’ to train Mark Philippoussis, only to later return to the Dees when that inevitably went aas over elbow.

Neil Crompton. Left in 1961 to play for Glenelg. He was a rover in those days, kicked 7 against North in a match in 1959. He returned in 1962 and became the tightest back pocket in the competition. 

Crompton also played 45 first class cricket matches for Victoria. he averaged 32 and was known as a superb fielder.

This doesn't apply, but Chris Heffernan grew up supporting Melbourne, got drafted to Essendon, was traded to Melbourne and then got traded back to Essendon!

Ok so really it’s just Carl Ditterich and Crackers Keenan who played with the Dees, went to another (VFL/AFL) club and returned. No one else in the past 40 years. Still will hope that the Dees reach out to Jesse Hogan to see if there is any interest in a return one day. 

  On 19/04/2020 at 00:07, bush demon said:

Don Williams left Melbourne late 50s or early 60s went back to play for Sale then came back to star in Melbourne's '64 premiership team.

And what a champion player he was. Dasher Williams! 

Like yourself, I'm told, Bobby.

Don Williams used to take hangers( front  cover of footy record for ages), dash out of defence bouncing it, then kick long drop kicks!

He was spectacular....and tough.

Des Campbell??

  On 19/04/2020 at 00:07, bush demon said:

Don Williams left Melbourne late 50s or early 60s went back to play for Sale then came back to star in Melbourne's '64 premiership team.

Yes , Don had two stints with us '53-59 & '64-68   with West Perth '60-62 and Sale '63 .

  On 19/04/2020 at 07:39, picket fence said:

Des Campbell??

Another who played a year then went back to the bush.  The VFL era was where players came and went to VFL, SANFL, the bush of the VFA.  It depended on job opportunities, family and money available.  Totally different to today’s professional footballers. 

  On 19/04/2020 at 09:46, spirit of norm smith said:

It depended on job opportunities, family and money available.  Totally different to today’s professional footballers. 

Absolutely correct, Norm.  Here's a stunning example:

The game in 1947 in which Fred Fanning kicked a league record 18 goals (still a record) against St Kilda was the last game for the season and Fred's last appearance for Melbourne.  His final kick was the sole behind in his day's tally of 18.1.  He had kicked 16 until three-quarter time before being quietened somewhat in the last.

The following season, he was lured to coach at Hamilton because of the extra money on offer, which worked out to be six times what Melbourne could pay.  That situation would be totally inconceivable these days.

  On 19/04/2020 at 02:41, spirit of norm smith said:

Ok so really it’s just Carl Ditterich and Crackers Keenan who played with the Dees, went to another (VFL/AFL) club and returned. No one else in the past 40 years. Still will hope that the Dees reach out to Jesse Hogan to see if there is any interest in a return one day. 

Jim Stynes... was with Melbourne, went to Prahran,  then back to the Dees, when his footy took off.

Jim was essentially loaned to Prahran as Melbourne did not have a VFL affiliate in those days. He was still tied to Melbourne.

  On 19/04/2020 at 13:26, John Dee said:

Jim was essentially loaned to Prahran as Melbourne did not have a VFL affiliate in those days. He was still tied to Melbourne.

Yes,  but there wasn't necessarily a return ticket.  He made good.

  On 18/04/2020 at 23:36, spirit of norm smith said:

There is occasionally (rare) the romantic footy story of a player returning to their original club. Paul Salmon is the best example that I recall. 
 

For the Dees, I can only recall Carl Ditterich as an example although he will be remembered as a Saints man. Ironically he was a “return” at the Saints and the Dees. He played with Melbourne from 1973-75 and then as player/coach 1979&80.  

I am still thinking that one day perhaps Jesse Hogan could return but history shows it is a 0.01% chance of happening for any club or player.  

Interesting thread. I like that Paul Salmon is your "best example" which suggests you've either forgotten about Gary Ablett Jr and Eddie Betts or you don't think of them as "good examples". Trent Croad is another "good example" because he played in a Premiership on his return to Hawthorn. 

Jack Mueller retired and was recalled to come back and play for the team just for the finals in 1948 and was instrumental in the Premiership win. He kicked 8 goals in the Prelim and 6 each in the first Grand Final against Essendon which was a draw and in the win the next week. The other key forward was Norm Smith in his last game for MFC before he finished his career playing for Fitzroy for two years. Something I didn't remember until I just read it. 

Edited April 20, 20204 yr by It's Time

Mattew Febey left after injuries returned to tasmania then came back later.

A few other Dees are at other clubs aside from Hogan.  Watts, Dunn, Howe, Kent, Tyson, Frost, Frawley.  Would any one return for a final farewell year in their careers?

  On 20/04/2020 at 03:08, spirit of norm smith said:

A few other Dees are at other clubs aside from Hogan.  Watts, Dunn, Howe, Kent, Tyson, Frost, Frawley.  Would any one return for a final farewell year in their careers?

Interesting looking at that list because people on here often bemoan the fact we give away players for peanuts. If he got his foot (and probably more importantly his head) right Hogan is the only one I’d really happily have back. Howe as well maybe but he’s not something we desperately need. 

Watts maybe as well for a chuckle! ?

  On 18/04/2020 at 23:56, bush demon said:

Norm Smith left Melbourne in 1948 and played for the Royboys as coach in 1949?  He came back to Melbourne 1950s as coach. 

I wish he could come back now and end this curse.