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Tribute to those who came before.

dieter
in Melbourne Demons

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I've been watching, care of You Tube,some famous victories since 2013. I'd like to pay tribute to those who missed out on being part of the 23 players  who won the flag, and, probably more importantly, the players who were involved in the journey to get the MFC there.

There are/were the coaches,  the recruiters, the unsung staff who managed the players through thick and thin, but here's an attempt to acknowledge those who made contributions: 

First of all, lets not forget the players who were not stars, let alone superstars, the foot soldiers, the players who received few accolades. Among them I'd nominate:

Tom Bugg whose career was ruined by one singular discretion. Toby Greene has done way worse than Bugg, many, may times.

Bernie Vince who installed character and grunt plus enormous talent.

Ben Kennedy: busted his guts for us.

The Wagner brothers: ditto.

Chris Dawes: a match winner in some games, always reliable for 100% effort.

Dom Tyson: played many superb games for the MFC.

Oscar and Frost: busted their guts and more, never gave up, though maybe limited in comparison to Lever and May.

Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes: sacrificed their careers and bodies. 

Dean Kent: Highly talented, talent diminished by injuries.

Jesse Hogan: Prodigious talent ruined by injuries  and inability to overcome bad umpires.

Viv Mitchie: so talented, so prone to being the first mid to be dropped.

One of the best: Jeffie Garlett. He was great for the MFC. 

And, how can I forget Cam Pederson. He was great.

Then, the likes of Tim Smith, Declan Keilty, the fringe players who gave their heart and soul to the MFC.

And, the best of 'The forgotten', our very own Jack Watts. Maligned on this site by many philistines, appreciated by those who appreciate the concept of individuality and natural ability. He busted his guts for the MFC.

Apologies to those I've forgotten.

The real hard luck stories:

This list includes such stalwarts as Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta, Mister Hunt, Vandenberg,  Smith.

Enough has been written about the very great Nathan Jones, a true and genuine hero. I take off all of my hats to him - I've worn a few, 93 jobs in my life, most of which I hated.

Ditto the great Neville man. I'll always love him to death, in the same way I love Eddie, Whelan, Davey, Sid Jackson, the Krakauer boys - named as of Jewish origin because a WA convict with the same name, a name descended from Crackow in Poland, was a cockney Jew who ran afoul of British Law - and all the other brethren, dudes like Goodes and Winmar, heroes in my eyes.

And, most of all, apologies to those I've forgotten.

In the meantime, thanks so much to the team who celebrated their kinship and dedication to being the best they could be in 2021.

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    And Lynden Dunn, Mat Jones, Garland, Jurrah, Rivers, Jamar,  Cross, Lewis, and many others...

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    I would add supporters who purchased memberships and saw the 1964 premiership and hoped they would see another one but did not live long enough to see the 2021 premiership.

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    21 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

    I would add the Russian, Mark Jamar who I feel contributed significantly  to the development of Maximus. 

    I added him belatedly - see above: he was great.

    Edited by dieter

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    Anyone except Tom Scully who donned the R & B during the hard times has my respect.

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    1 minute ago, DaveyJones'sLocker said:

    Bugg really ? One of the worst hits in the modern era don’t think Greene is in the same basket sorry 

    Um, Gaff? There is a you-tube post of Greene's kicks and hits, boot studs into player's faces and bodies, repeat offender. So you'll nail Bugg for 1 indiscretion? 

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