I read this on big footy from demonfan9 and thought it could have some good discussion here....

Welcome to another off-season thread to help the time pass by. Here, we will applaud and celebrate our favourite cult heroes from the Melbourne Football Club.

-Allow me to get the ball rolling with three official announcements:

2007 - Michael Newton

The man known simply as Juice, took the league by storm in 2007. After being drafted at the end of 2005, he spent all of 2006 and the first half of 2007 in the VFL. As Melbourne plummeted down the ladder, the voices became stronger and stronger. Juice was in demand, and the fans would settle for nothing less. So the club obliged, and gave this strapping young red head his debut in Round 13. Since then, he never looked back. Kicking goals, smashing opponents and taking big hangers (and was officially awarded Mark of the Year). He could do it all, therefore it is my pleasure to announce him as the 2007 MFC Cult Hero.

2006 - Nick Smith

Standing at 198cm and almost 100kg, Nick Smith was the man! His loyal admirers entitled him 426, for his regular four to six week injuries. Drafted in 2002, he played three thrilling games in his debut season, before injuries cut the great man down. His bucket hands and long kick were resigned to years in the VFL. Even the most optimistic fans didn't dare to believe he would come back. But where there's life, there's hope. And in September 2006, prior to the Demons knockout Semi Final clash with Fremantle, justice prevailed. 426 was recalled, and the fans were ecstatic! Sadly, this would be his farewell match, but he will not be forgotten, as the 2006 MFC Cult Hero.

2005 - Phil Read

There was a time when only the toughest of men survived this cut-throat game. And of all the tough guys to have ever stepped out of the field, there was one who stood above the rest. Recruited from the West Coast Eagles in the 2005 Pre-Season Draft, Phil Read proudly donned the red and blue guernsey for three seasons. But they were three of the most swashbuckling seasons ever witnessed. Known as Philthy to some, and the Angry Ant to others, Read would put fear into the hearts of opponents with a single glance. But they were the lucky ones. The unlucky ones were destroyed by Read's iron fists. As a tribute to the toughest hombre this side of the Yarra, we would like to officially announce Read the 2005 MFC Cult Hero.

Any other suggestions....I think Brock is fast becoming one of the greatest cult heroes of out club, alongside with Chopper

I'm worried...

The trend seems to be that 'cult hero' = dud.

Please remove Juice from the above list!

There are a few cult heroes.

Davey, Jones, Brock and maybe Rivers are new to the list.

Then there are older ones such as Neitz, White and Robbo.

These are people we see as Melbourne, through and through.

i don't think a captain can be called a "cult" hero

Nathan Carroll for sure. Nicholson when he had a beard to. Basically you just have to grown a beard.

There are a few cult heroes.

Davey, Jones, Brock and maybe Rivers are new to the list.

Then there are older ones such as Neitz, White and Robbo.

These are people we see as Melbourne, through and through.

yeah i think your confusing 'cult' hero with club legend and hero...

id say players like shaun smith, mark jacksons, alan jackovich would have been cult heros in the past...davey could have been counted as such for a while. newton is because of the strength of following he has without having done anything. and belllllyyy bordered on it around here last year...

some others that would prob fit the cult hero title

Rod Grinter

Jeff Farmer

Darren Cuthbertson (For about 2 weeks)

Strawbs O'Dwyer

Cult Heroes generally posess one or more of the following charachteristics

- freakish abilities (farmer, jackovich, cuthbertson - for about 2 weeks then they went missing)

- are hard at it and like a dust up (Grinter, Pickett)

- have unique appearance (Strawbs O'Dwyer)

- Are ordinary full backs but have a beard (Nicho, Carrol)

I'm worried...

The trend seems to be that 'cult hero' = dud.

Please remove Juice from the above list!

Agree Jaded.

Nothing cult or hero about 426 or Read. Very ordinary and forgettable.

Agree Jaded.

Nothing cult or hero about 426 or Read. Very ordinary and forgettable.

Comrades, the guy with the Mohawk clearly falls to this category.

Biffinator

Past cult hero's, I think could be - Byron Pickett, Mark Jackson, Carl Ditterich, Russell Richards, Michael Byrne, Jim Tilbrook, Ray Biffen, Alan Jackovich, Jeff Farmer.

I'm worried...

The trend seems to be that 'cult hero' = dud.

Please remove Juice from the above list!

i see what you mean about read and 426 however cult hero does not have to be necissarily good or bad..there is just something about them...look at 426 for instance, only played about 3 games but when he came back for the match against freo, it was a huge story.

and look at the juice, he came from no where, showed a bit of potential and then took the bloody mark of the year in his 4th game! brock is definately not a dud, but i mentioned him because he has that toughness and greatness about him that makes the game exciting when he is near...same with chopper.

Agree Jaded.

Nothing cult or hero about 426 or Read. Very ordinary and forgettable.

How dare you!.

Russell Richards (aka Rhino) was a cult in the late 80's. All arms and legs and a thick neck to boot.

A bit 'agricultural', but a cult nevertheless.

Definitely not a dud.

Rod Grinter

David Williams

How dare you!.

Russell Richards (aka Rhino) was a cult in the late 80's. All arms and legs and a thick neck to boot.

A bit 'agricultural', but a cult nevertheless.

Definitely not a dud.

You are right there!

You are right there!

Sure are.

'87 1st Semi - Final Quarter.

Northey takes off Flower and replaces with -- Rhino.

Sure are.

'87 1st Semi - Final Quarter.

Northey takes off Flower and replaces with -- Rhino.

He took a grab in the square and goaled.

Beautiful.

I remember his long snaking runs with the ball......which could have ended up anywhere....

A country boy at heart who returned to the bush.

some others that would prob fit the cult hero title

Rod Grinter

Jeff Farmer

Darren Cuthbertson (For about 2 weeks)

Strawbs O'Dwyer

Cult Heroes generally posess one or more of the following charachteristics

- freakish abilities (farmer, jackovich, cuthbertson - for about 2 weeks then they went missing)

- are hard at it and like a dust up (Grinter, Pickett)

- have unique appearance (Strawbs O'Dwyer)

- Are ordinary full backs but have a beard (Nicho, Carrol)

The thing is that they have displayed some "cult" like characteristics at AFL level. 426 and Read gave us nothing.

i reckon this kid has some cult like characteristics. bieng the freakishly developed 18/19 year old with NO hair!!

i reckon this kid has some cult like characteristics. bieng the freakishly developed 18/19 year old with NO hair!!

Wholeheartedly agree! I proudly have the number 2 fixed to the back of my dees jumper. Definetely has 'cult' like charachteristics.

Nicholson when he had a beard to

Don't need the beard, he's the MFC cult hero of all time

Nathan Carroll for sure. Nicholson when he had a beard to. Basically you just have to grown a beard.

Garry Baker

Get on board "The Casey Jones Express"!

Remember the theme song for this old TV series? It goes a bit this way:

"Casey Jones , a steamin and a rollin" = Nathan Jones

How apt is that? This young player has shown enough in his short career to command respect. Now watch as he develops into a top ten midfielder. Underestimate at your peril. In 2009 he could be an elite onballer but he needs to have a consistent 08 1st. Future club leader-perhaps. I reckon in 09 I will be able to say " I told you so". He will be a cult hero of the MFC.

Get on board "The Casey Jones Express"!

Remember the theme song for this old TV series? It goes a bit this way:

"Casey Jones , a steamin and a rollin" = Nathan Jones

How apt is that? This young player has shown enough in his short career to command respect. Now watch as he develops into a top ten midfielder. Underestimate at your peril. In 2009 he could be an elite onballer but he needs to have a consistent 08 1st. Future club leader-perhaps. I reckon in 09 I will be able to say " I told you so". He will be a cult hero of the MFC.

IMO you've got the right theme but the wrong name. I like 'Cannonball Xpress'.

the jamie shanahan goal cult!!

Look at that picture of the nugget...

What a ripper eh? Looming large with the biggest ogre in football coming at him...

In a few years he'll be bigger and will start to strike fear into opposition supporters' hearts.

And yes, with the bald head and man-child physique, he'll become a cult hero soon, but will hopefully transcend that and drift more toward being a star of the league, if he hasn't already.