Jump to content

Between the Flags - a great new book on the MFC



Recommended Posts

For many years, I bemoaned the lack of good literature about the Melbourne Football Club and since the flag, there have been some good additions to that category. Now, there's a great new book out written by journalist Ian Munro, a Demon fan from way back (and I believe a Demonlander too!) who examines the highs and mostly lows of the era between 1964 and 2021 and tries to make sense of the 57 years of heartache that accompanied that time.

Here's the link to the website if you’re interested in buying what should be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of those whose hearts beat true ... Between the Flags

“There have been idle moments during retirement where I have flirted with the idea of writing my version of Melbourne’s history since I was a boy in the 1950s.

After reading “Between the Flags”, I’m mighty glad I refrained. Ian Munro’s work is a magnificent review of all the trials and tribulations at Melbourne in the 57 years between premierships, culminating in the 2021 flag. I loved the detailed history, the author’s passion, the colour, and, finally, the explosion of unbridled joy that came on Grand Final day in Perth.”   - Mike Sheahan, journalist.

9F001B7C-B960-4A36-992A-CD41196B5895.jpeg

  • Like 10
  • Thanks 5
  • Love 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Whispering_Jack changed the title to Between the Flags - a great new book on the MFC

 

50 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Onya Jack.  I've ordered my copy.

What other MFC books are you aware of and could recommend?

The Last Hurrah by Adam Woolcock (our very own Supermercado) and, if you have the stomach for it, The Great Deepression by the same author. Max's book. The Grand Old Flag by Lynda Carroll (she should update it now to include 2021 and maybe beyond) and the classic "100 YEARS OF FOOTBALL. The Story of the Melbourne Football Club 1858-1958" by  E.C.H. Taylor.

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have those in my bookcase along with ones about/by  Robbie Flower, Garry Lyon, David Schwarz and Neale Daniher plus "The Red Fox" of course, along with "An Illustrated History" which was released in 2008 as part of our 150th Anniversary.

A few years back I found a copy of the Stuart Spencer book (written by his widow) in my library, but that seems hard to find these days.  edit:  There's a copy on ebay but they want $49 plus postage for it which is a bit steep I think.

Edited by Demonstone
  • Like 3
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

I have those in my bookcase along with ones about/by  Robbie Flower, Garry Lyon, David Schwarz and Neale Daniher plus "The Red Fox" of course, along with "An Illustrated History" which was released in 2008 as part of our 150th Anniversary.

A few years back I found a copy of the Stuart Spencer book (written by his widow) in my library, but that seems hard to find these days.  edit:  There's a copy on ebay but they want $49 plus postage for it which is a bit steep I think.

Of course, who could forget the Red Fox and the Ron Barassi biography?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Thanks WJ, duly ordered. Supermercado’s The Last Hurrah is mandatory for Dees tragics. 

  • Like 3
  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great read for the devoted. I know first hand that Ian has put years of professional research and interviews into this self-publication - without knowing at the time that a Premiership was in the offing. As a passionate fan himself, Ian not only taps into what a largely miserable time it has been to be a Dees supporter these last 57 years, but keenly explores the why, and then relives and re-examines the path to the joy of the 2021 season. Highly recommended.

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have ordered this and looking forward to reading it, I'm particuarly fascinated by the 70s and early 80s disaster years.

On the topic of MFC books, does anyone know where I can get this book by Dick Seddon? (I'm sure he's just been stitched up by Google and it's not really subtitled - "Reflections of a Former ALF [sic] Commissioner"), and despite the random modern day MFC image on the front I'm not sure how much is about the club vs his team at the league but interested in any insights into the era he was in charge.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/14/2022 at 3:04 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

Of course, who could forget the Red Fox and the Ron Barassi biography?

Another good read is Chadwick- A man of many parts. by nick Richardson.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/14/2022 at 12:40 PM, Sir Why You Little said:

I wonder what Ian says about “Whiteboard Wednesday”

Did Schwab get interviewed?

 

He could have just inserted exerts from Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce or Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. 

Reading those made as much sense as listening to CS on Whiteboard Wednesday. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

He could have just inserted exerts from Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce or Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. 

Reading those made as much sense as listening to CS on Whiteboard Wednesday. 

David Lynch movies were far easier to understand than “Whiteboard Wednesday”

 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


3 hours ago, Grapeviney said:

Not MFC related, but I'm publishing "The Big Book of St Kilda Premierships" on Twitter later this year.

Will there be a hard copy Grape? Got enough room on the shelf for 1 page, that should do it.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Demonstone said:

My copy of "Between The Flags" arrived today and, having just had a quick skim through, I can't wait until I have time to sit down and give it a proper, thorough read.  Kudos to Ian for the speedy postage and handling.

Agreed …my copy arrived very quickly. Enjoying the read ! 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/14/2022 at 12:19 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

For many years, I bemoaned the lack of good literature about the Melbourne Football Club and since the flag, there have been some good additions to that category. Now, there's a great new book out written by journalist Ian Munro, a Demon fan from way back (and I believe a Demonlander too!) who examines the highs and mostly lows of the era between 1964 and 2021 and tries to make sense of the 57 years of heartache that accompanied that time.

Here's the link to the website if your interested in buying what should be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of those whose hearts beat true ... Between the Flags

“There have been idle moments during retirement where I have flirted with the idea of writing my version of Melbourne’s history since I was a boy in the 1950s.

After reading “Between the Flags”, I’m mighty glad I refrained. Ian Munro’s work is a magnificent review of all the trials and tribulations at Melbourne in the 57 years between premierships, culminating in the 2021 flag. I loved the detailed history, the author’s passion, the colour, and, finally, the explosion of unbridled joy that came on Grand Final day in Perth.”   - Mike Sheahan, journalist.

9F001B7C-B960-4A36-992A-CD41196B5895.jpeg

Thanks for the tip, I brought one today 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/15/2022 at 7:55 PM, Supermercado said:

Have ordered this and looking forward to reading it, I'm particuarly fascinated by the 70s and early 80s disaster years.

On the topic of MFC books, does anyone know where I can get this book by Dick Seddon? (I'm sure he's just been stitched up by Google and it's not really subtitled - "Reflections of a Former ALF [sic] Commissioner"), and despite the random modern day MFC image on the front I'm not sure how much is about the club vs his team at the league but interested in any insights into the era he was in charge.

Not sure it is gettable. Only 100 copies were produced but it is in the MCC library

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #5 Christian Petracca

    Date of Birth: 4 January 1996 Height: 187cm Games MFC 2024: 13 Career Total: 189 Goals MFC 2024: 14 Career Total: 184 Brownlow Medal Votes 16 Melbourne’s most important player who dominated the first half of the season until his untimely injury in the Kings Birthday clash put an end to his season. At the time, he was on his way to many personal honours and the club in strong finals contention. When the season did end for Melbourne and Petracca was slowly recovering, he

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    2024 Player Reviews: #2 Jacob van Rooyen

    Date of Birth: 16 April 2003 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 41 Goals MFC 2024: 30 Career Total: 58 Brownlow Medal Votes 1 Strong marking youngster who plays forward and relief ruck, continued to make significant strides forward in his career path. The Demons have high hopes for van Rooyen as he stakes his claim to become an elite attacking forward.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 13

    LIVE AND LET DIE by Meggs

    The Demons’ impressive late season charge to finals will most likely come unstuck this Saturday evening when the Bombers blow up the also-ran Blues in the Ikon Park double-header.   To mangle McCartney, what does it matter to ya? To have any chance to play next week Narrm has got a job to do and needs to do it well.  We’ve got to give the Pie sheilas hell, say live and let die! It’s Indigenous Round for this game and the chance to celebrate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    2024 Player Reviews: #32 Tom Sparrow

    Had to shoulder more responsibility as the club’s injury concerns deepened but needs to step up more as he closes in on 100 games. Date of Birth: 31 May 2000 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 95 Goals MFC 2024: 6 Career Total: 34 Games CDFC: 1 Goals CDFL: 0

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 24

    2024 Player Reviews: #35 Harry Petty

    Date of Birth: 12 November 1999 Height: 197cm Games MFC 2024: 20 Career Total: 82 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 28 Brownlow Medal Votes 3 Failed to fulfill the promise of his breakout six goal effort against the Tigers in 2023 and was generally disappointing as a key forward. It remains to be seen whether Simon Goodwin will persevere with him in attack or return him to the backline where he was an important cog in the club’s 2021 premiership success.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 17

    2024 Player Reviews: #22 Blake Howes

    After a bright start to the season, playing mostly in defence, Howes seemed to lose his way in midseason but fought back with some good performances at Casey and finished the year back at AFL level. One to watch in 2024. Date of Birth: 7 March 2003 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total:  15 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total:  0 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #33 Tom Fullarton

    Originally an NBL basketballer with the Brisbane Bullets, he moved across town in 2019 to the AFL Lions where he played 19 games before crossing to Melbourne where he was expected to fill a role as a back up ruckman/key forward. Unfortunately, didn’t quite get there although he did finish equal sixth in Casey’s best and fairest award. Date of Birth: 23 February 1999 Height: 198cm Games CDFC: 14 Goals CDFL: 13

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #10 Angus Brayshaw

    Sadly, had to wrap up a great career in midstream on the back of multiple concussions which culminated in the Maynard hit in the 2023 Qualifying Final. His loss to the club was inestimable over and above his on field talent given his character and leadership qualities, all of which have been sorely missed. Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 167 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 49

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #40 Taj Woewodin

    The son of former Demon Brownlow Medalist Shane, Taj added a further 16 games to his overall tally of games but a number were as substitute. He is slowly fitting into the team structure but without doing anything spectacular and needs to take further steps forward in 2025 for his career to progress. Date of Birth: 26 March 2003 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 16 Career Total: 20 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 3 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 1

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...