Demon premiership player Christian Salem was awarded the 2025 Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy at last night’s Bluey Truscott Memorial Trophy evening.

Read about the man after who the trophy was named and his exploits in this thread. He was also a Demon premiership player but from a different era who was significant contributor to the history of our great club.

September was coming and the finals beckoned as Footscray made its inaugural visit to the MCG as a VFL club in a game that almost culminated in disaster for the Redlegs. Harry Davie proved to be the hero once again, just one week after his record-breaking 13-goal performance against Carlton.

Round 15, 1925

Melbourne vs Footscray

Saturday 29 August

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 11,364

MELBOURNE 5.2.32 6.4.40 7.4.46 10.9.69

FOOTSCRAY 6.7.43 7.10.52 9.13.67 9.13.67

Goalkickers: Harry Davie 3, Bert Chadwick 1, Bob Corbett 1, Col Deane 1, Hugh Dunbar 1, Harry Moyes 1, Percy Tulloh 1, Stan Wittman 1

Footscray's inaugural season had been a significant letdown, with only three victories, but it saved its most impressive display for Melbourne at the MCG. As a premiership contender, the host club's performance was subpar in the first three quarters; they were outmanoeuvred and outplayed, trailing by 21 points at the commencement of the final term.

The comeback by Melbourne was facilitated by the fact that they held their opponents goalless in the final term for the second consecutive week. The applied great pressure to kick three goals in the first five minutes of the quarter aided by captain Bert Chadwick’s tactical shift into the ruck of Bob Corbett who became one of the driving forces behind the team’s revival. Melbourne gradually drew level then took the lead with two behinds at the end - to Davie and Mollison - which made the difference. Davie finished with three goals for the day.

Thomas, Deane and Corbett were best

Seconds: Footscray 8.8 d. Melbourne 4.8

Round 16, 1925

Following a narrow escape against one VFL newcomer, Melbourne stumbled and succumbed to another in North Melbourne at Arden Street. This marked the Shinboners' first victory over the oldest team in the country.

 North Melbourne vs Melbourne

Saturday 5 September

Venue: Arden Street

Attendance: 5,000

MELBOURNE 0.2.2 2.7.19 3.10.22 6.10.46

NORTH MELBOURNE 3.3.21 5.3.33 8.7.55 11.7.73

Goalkickers: Jack Cannan 2, George Haines 1, Harry Moyes 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1, Stan Wittman 1

The win against Footscray had secured the club a game and a half lead within the top four, and half a game ahead of third-placed Collingwood in the battle for the double chance but despite the fact that their finals spot almost certainly sewn up Melbourne was still shocked by North intent and aggression at the football.

The Shinboners took an early lead with three goals in the opening term and maintained their ascendancy to the main break, courtesy of some shocking inaccuracy from the visitors. Sensing weakness from their opponents, they pushed their lead to over three goals at the final break and defended strongly at the end. Melbourne never really threatened and North fully deserved their historic victory. 

For the Fuchsias, the setback occurred at the most inopportune moment, just two weeks shy of the finals, with the possibility of a loss to Richmond in the final game potentially causing them to miss out on the top four entirely.

Thomas, Corbett and Deane were Melbourne's best.

Seconds: Melbourne 15.14.104 d. North Melbourne 9.11.63

Round 17, 1925

Melbourne was on the cusp of missing the finals and facing potential elimination from the top four. With Collingwood and Fitzroy, who were placed fourth and fifth, trailing by two points and competing against lowly teams, the Redlegs were susceptible to being dumped from the premiership race at the final moment.

Ultimately, all three contenders secured easy victories, and Melbourne qualified for the first time in a decade, finishing third and earning the opportunity to challenge minor premiers Geelong in the opening week of the final series.

Melbourne vs Richmond

Saturday 12 September

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 16,989

MELBOURNE 3.2.20 5.5.35 8.7.55 11.7.73

RICHMOND 1.5.11 2.6.18 2.10.22 2.12.24

Goalkickers: Jimmy Davidson 2, Harry Davie 2, Harry Moyes 2, George Haines 1, Derek Mollison 1, Stan Wittman 1

The club was so desperate for the win that it recalled Alf Wilson from Adelaide to make his first appearance for the season to provide assistance for the cause. He had rushed to Melbourne, paying his own way, to support his former team in this critical matchup.

Because of Melbourne’s recent poor form, Richmond went in favourites but the Fuchsias were desperate for the win and settled any pre-match nerves by scoring the first three goals against the wind in a game played in slippery conditions. They were faster and more skilful and their defence was almost impregnable for most of the game. The visitors had their chances but they were wasteful up forward. It was clear by the last quarter that they had denied Fitzroy of any chance of breaking into the top four.

Best players were Corbett, Davidson and Deane.

Seconds: Richmond 11.11 d. Melbourne 9.18

It was a milestone 50^th game for Dick Taylor who was to go on and have a storied career with Melbourne as a player and administrator and who is remembered by the club to this day through the Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy for Best and Fairest Fifth Place as follows:-

Dick Taylor – Best and Fairest Fifth Place

Guernsey No. 35
Heritage No. 404
1922 – 1931, 1935
164 games, 100 goals
Premiership 1926
Life Member

Richard "Dick" John Taylor was born in the year after Melbourne won its first VFL premiership, and made his debut with the struggling Redlegs in the final home and away match of the 1922 season against Fitzroy. He was considered one of the finest centremen of his era and a model of consistency. Taylor played a pivotal role in Melbourne’s 1926 premiership triumph, appearing in 164 games for the club, including 127 consecutive matches from his debut until an injury sustained from a kick to the leg in the violent and spiteful game against Footscray late in 1929 in which he kicked six goals. 

Taylor was renowned for his exceptional ground skills, and during that era, his partnership with teammate Stan ‘Bunny’ Wittman sprinting down the MCG wing was the stuff of legend. During his tenure at Melbourne, he represented Victoria in interstate football on 15 occasions and finished equal second, alongside Carlton's Alex Duncan, behind Collingwood's Syd Coventry in the 1927 Brownlow Medal count. He was cleared to North Melbourne in 1932, where he assumed the role of captain-coach, but returned to Melbourne in 1935, playing another three senior games before retiring at the end of the season.

Taylor was a true man of Melbourne, He as the club’s Chairman of Selectors (1947-1950), as its VFL delegate (1953-1962), and as a Director (1936, 1937, 1939-1942, and 1945-1962). He passed away in 1962 after a lifetime in which he was involved with ten of Melbourne’s eleven premiership flags during that period.

 To be continued …

11 minutes ago, Demonland said:

September was coming and the finals beckoned as Footscray made its inaugural visit to the MCG as a VFL club in a game that almost culminated in disaster for the Redlegs. Harry Davie proved to be the hero once again, just one week after his record-breaking 13-goal performance against Carlton.

Round 15, 1925

Melbourne vs Footscray

Saturday 29 August

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 11,364

MELBOURNE 5.2.32 6.4.40 7.4.46 10.9.69

FOOTSCRAY 6.7.43 7.10.52 9.13.67 9.13.67

Goalkickers: Harry Davie 3, Bert Chadwick 1, Bob Corbett 1, Col Deane 1, Hugh Dunbar 1, Harry Moyes 1, Percy Tulloh 1, Stan Wittman 1

Footscray's inaugural season had been a significant letdown, with only three victories, but it saved its most impressive display for Melbourne at the MCG. As a premiership contender, the host club's performance was subpar in the first three quarters; they were outmanoeuvred and outplayed, trailing by 21 points at the commencement of the final term.

The comeback by Melbourne was facilitated by the fact that they held their opponents goalless in the final term for the second consecutive week. The applied great pressure to kick three goals in the first five minutes of the quarter aided by captain Bert Chadwick’s tactical shift into the ruck of Bob Corbett who became one of the driving forces behind the team’s revival. Melbourne gradually drew level then took the lead with two behinds at the end - to Davie and Mollison - which made the difference. Davie finished with three goals for the day.

Thomas, Deane and Corbett were best

Seconds: Footscray 8.8 d. Melbourne 4.8

Round 16, 1925

Following a narrow escape against one VFL newcomer, Melbourne stumbled and succumbed to another in North Melbourne at Arden Street. This marked the Shinboners' first victory over the oldest team in the country.

 North Melbourne vs Melbourne

Saturday 5 September

Venue: Arden Street

Attendance: 5,000

MELBOURNE 0.2.2 2.7.19 3.10.22 6.10.46

NORTH MELBOURNE 3.3.21 5.3.33 8.7.55 11.7.73

Goalkickers: Jack Cannan 2, George Haines 1, Harry Moyes 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1, Stan Wittman 1

The win against Footscray had secured the club a game and a half lead within the top four, and half a game ahead of third-placed Collingwood in the battle for the double chance but despite the fact that their finals spot almost certainly sewn up Melbourne was still shocked by North intent and aggression at the football.

The Shinboners took an early lead with three goals in the opening term and maintained their ascendancy to the main break, courtesy of some shocking inaccuracy from the visitors. Sensing weakness from their opponents, they pushed their lead to over three goals at the final break and defended strongly at the end. Melbourne never really threatened and North fully deserved their historic victory. 

For the Fuchsias, the setback occurred at the most inopportune moment, just two weeks shy of the finals, with the possibility of a loss to Richmond in the final game potentially causing them to miss out on the top four entirely.

Thomas, Corbett and Deane were Melbourne's best.

Seconds: Melbourne 15.14.104 d. North Melbourne 9.11.63

Round 17, 1925

Melbourne was on the cusp of missing the finals and facing potential elimination from the top four. With Collingwood and Fitzroy, who were placed fourth and fifth, trailing by two points and competing against lowly teams, the Redlegs were susceptible to being dumped from the premiership race at the final moment.

Ultimately, all three contenders secured easy victories, and Melbourne qualified for the first time in a decade, finishing third and earning the opportunity to challenge minor premiers Geelong in the opening week of the final series.

Melbourne vs Richmond

Saturday 12 September

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 16,989

MELBOURNE 3.2.20 5.5.35 8.7.55 11.7.73

RICHMOND 1.5.11 2.6.18 2.10.22 2.12.24

Goalkickers: Jimmy Davidson 2, Harry Davie 2, Harry Moyes 2, George Haines 1, Derek Mollison 1, Stan Wittman 1

The club was so desperate for the win that it recalled Alf Wilson from Adelaide to make his first appearance for the season to provide assistance for the cause. He had rushed to Melbourne, paying his own way, to support his former team in this critical matchup.

Because of Melbourne’s recent poor form, Richmond went in favourites but the Fuchsias were desperate for the win and settled any pre-match nerves by scoring the first three goals against the wind in a game played in slippery conditions. They were faster and more skilful and their defence was almost impregnable for most of the game. The visitors had their chances but they were wasteful up forward. It was clear by the last quarter that they had denied Fitzroy of any chance of breaking into the top four.

Best players were Corbett, Davidson and Deane.

Seconds: Richmond 11.11 d. Melbourne 9.18

It was a milestone 50^th game for Dick Taylor who was to go on and have a storied career with Melbourne as a player and administrator and who is remembered by the club to this day through the Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy for Best and Fairest Fifth Place as follows:-

Dick Taylor – Best and Fairest Fifth Place

Guernsey No. 35
Heritage No. 404
1922 – 1931, 1935
164 games, 100 goals
Premiership 1926
Life Member

Richard "Dick" John Taylor was born in the year after Melbourne won its first VFL premiership, and made his debut with the struggling Redlegs in the final home and away match of the 1922 season against Fitzroy. He was considered one of the finest centremen of his era and a model of consistency. Taylor played a pivotal role in Melbourne’s 1926 premiership triumph, appearing in 164 games for the club, including 127 consecutive matches from his debut until an injury sustained from a kick to the leg in the violent and spiteful game against Footscray late in 1929 in which he kicked six goals. 

Taylor was renowned for his exceptional ground skills, and during that era, his partnership with teammate Stan ‘Bunny’ Wittman sprinting down the MCG wing was the stuff of legend. During his tenure at Melbourne, he represented Victoria in interstate football on 15 occasions and finished equal second, alongside Carlton's Alex Duncan, behind Collingwood's Syd Coventry in the 1927 Brownlow Medal count. He was cleared to North Melbourne in 1932, where he assumed the role of captain-coach, but returned to Melbourne in 1935, playing another three senior games before retiring at the end of the season.

Taylor was a true man of Melbourne, He as the club’s Chairman of Selectors (1947-1950), as its VFL delegate (1953-1962), and as a Director (1936, 1937, 1939-1942, and 1945-1962). He passed away in 1962 after a lifetime in which he was involved with ten of Melbourne’s eleven premiership flags during that period.

 To be continued …

No doubt Bunny Wittman would have appreciated some of that sweet September MCG grass.