Arrived at the Annual General Meeting at around 15 minutes after it started as I finished work late (the distance from MacKinnon Train Station to the Bentleigh Club was not as long as I expected) however the meeting had just begun. All board members were present (including a sharp looking Andrew Leoncelli) and there were about 200-250 people present, so here's how it unfolded:

-When I arrived Steve Harris was presenting facts and figures on numerous aspects of the club such as the new stadium and training facilities which they expect to be ready for the end of 2009/start of 2010 season. Steve introduced all our major sponsors and partners (there was about eight of them including Reebok, Coke and Tyrrel Wines who are also celebrating their 150th anniversary next year.

-Paul Gardner then came out up and introduced Dean Bailey, who begun very cheekily with a sincere thankyou to Tyrrel Wines for their generous support and that he will no doubt enjoy a few in the near future. Dean said he was not only proud of being an AFL coach but that he was doubly proud of being a coach of the oldest and most prestigious football club in Australia. He spoke briefly along the same lines as he had in the numerous interviews we have been privy to over the past few months, how he will not restrain anyone from achiveing what they want to achieve and that there will not be a repeat of this season's fortunes (or lack of) how he was happy that many of the players came tonight after a really hard training season.

-Dean then introduced the and gave a brief synopsis of each draft pick:

Cale Morton: Described him as a key/utility/outside wingman player who he described as 'incredibly talented' with an amazing engine (over 15 on beep test)

Jack Grimes: Everyone loves the fact that Dean said that Jack and his whole family are one-eyed Melbourne supporters. He said that on draft day he called Jack and Jack said to him 'you don't know how much this means to me'. Dean said Jack will be a 100 game player for the football club.

Adam Maric: Described him as a small half forward/forward player with a great mark for his height and incredibly accurate kick for goal and that the recruiting team were stoked to get him at 21.

Kyle Cheney: Dean's lovechild, said he was wrapped to get him as he loves someone who puts his head over the ball and goes hard at it. He then elaborated and he loves hard footballers.

Tom McNamara: Dean said he had been watching Tom for as long as four years ago. He mentioned a man by the name of Dan Mead (or maybe Don Mead) who was at Port Adelaide as a coach (or something like that) and that he had known about Tom for a long time. Dean literally said that as he was availiable at 66 it was a 'no-brainer' that they were going to pick him. They were also stoked that he was still available at that stage.

Stefan Martin: Said that he is a very exciting prospect, that Stefan has an unsatiable hunger to make the transition from basketball to football and that he is being groomed as a key back/forward prospect. Said that Sandy have invested a lot of time in him as they will continue to do so along with Melbourne.

- Dean said that all teams would say that they have been successful with the players they picked, no team would say any different, however Dean was ecstatic with the players we picked.

-Dean then invited Cale Morton to the stage and asked him a few non-offensive questions about getting picked and everything about the club so far. Cale is a big boy that may grow another centermetre or so. He will put on weight in the next two years but he one thing I noticed is that his arms are really long. He reminds me of Chad Cornes but he wasn't standing tall, he was kind of hunched, like an incredibly nervous 18 year old kid from perth in front of a bunch of perople he doesn't know. Cale was very nervous and answered very well for a young man that has just arrived on the other side of the country. Cale said he trained with Melbourne earlier at the start of 2007 and he thought come draft day that he would be picked by melbourne if he was still available at number four.

-Dean then invited Jack Grimes on stage. He too will put on some weight eventually. He is about 186 cm tall and is not unlike Brock Mclean when he first came (Brock was kind of slender when he first came to the club but you should have seen him tonight...he was ripped beyond belief). Jack is a most impressive indivdual. He stands tall and he reminds a lot in appreance and confidence like Chelsea FC's John Terry. He looks like a leader, he was confident and engaging. He said on draft day he was worried that West Coast were going to pick him at 13 but when they passed he had an inkling that we might pick him. He said that he and his family were over the moon and that his mother was in tears. Dean asked him who his favoutite Melbourne play was. Jack said James MacDonald because Junior told him to say it. He said he also loved Ox when he was playing. Also Cameron Bruce is a player that he looks up to.

-Dean Bailey is a most impressive orator and a hard man. He flirts with nice guy but there is this seemingly menacing aura about him that you can't help but feel that he will belt you with his belt (or some other implement) if you step out of line. He was taking the mickey with Cale and Jack and it already seems that they have a great rapport.

-For the next hour the board then proceeded to present life memberships to individuals for Ten years of service. In no particular order, Chris Fagan, Neale Daniher and Craig Cameron recieved there's (all were in attendance except for Neale). Chris Connelly introduced Craig Cameron. Connelly is incredibly engaging and his an air of confidence about him, like he has already marked his territory. Craig and Chris were both humble and thanked the club profusely for what the club had done for them. They did not address why they were parting ways because it has been well-documented and self-explanatory. Noel MacMahon presnted and accepted a membership for Len Dockett a B&F winner and 1948 premiership player who is very sick at the moment and could not attend. A volunteer by the name of Bob ? who has worked at the club for for 40 years in the changerooms minding that door and at the Melbourne Retail Shop (I profusely aplogise for my ignorance but I did not catch Bob's surname and if you are a member on this site Bob I apologise!) Guy Rigoni presented a membership to Daniel Ward and who was most appreciative. James MacDonald presented membership to Travis Johnstone who could obviously not attend. Chris Fagan presented membership to Jeff White (who admitted to everyone that in 2003 the doctors told him halfway through the season that if his shin opened again he woyuld have to retire). Finally Daniel Ward presented the membership to Nathan Brown and accepted it on his behalf. Fagan and Ward talked about how loved Brown is, how important he was to the team and how he will be sorely missed.

-Paul Gardner then announced that all members of the board who went up for re-election were unopposed, therefore they have another term.

-Question time was quick and uneventful. Gardner was quizzed on how a 17th licence will effedct the team. He said it hadn't even been discussed however he personally believed that he would be surprised if it happened soon and that the 17th licence will create an unfair, unquitable and logistical nightmare fixturing.

-Steve harris answered a question about the Melbourne Vixens Collingwood scenario. Steve said that the vixens are still part of the 1/5th of the contract with Melbourne and that stands, however he said that there was nothing stopping the Vixens from doing what they are doing with Collingwood. Steve said however that he is dissapointed and it remains to be seen how the Vixens will balance the scenario.

Well that's about it from what I can remember.

Please reply if you want me to elaborate on anything and I will do my best.

Thanks for the comprehensive report MFC4Life. You have covered an enormous amount and brought us up to date.

Excellent report. Thankyou.

He then elaborated and he loves hard footballers.

OK.....

PS Thanks very much for the reportI felt like I was there!!

Great report. Very comprehensive and informative.

Well done. Thanks

Thanks for that report - great work!

Great effort MFC4Life!

The Port Adelaide coach was Darren Mead, ex-Port AFL Centre-Half Back.

Ward mentioned how he was really looking forward to playing with Brown again in the SANFL this year, and that both the boys would be at Football Park cheering the boys on when they come over.

Chris Fagan was the first to receive Life Membership, and his speech while enthusiastic and heartfelt, went on for aaages. Board member Michael Coglin who presided over the bestowing of Life Memberships then revealed they'd allocated 3 minutes for each recipient after his speech, so jokingly said the others would have to be cancelled. Craig Cameron was next and mentioned he was always picking up the slack for Fages. For the trivialists, Fagan wore his club suit, Cameron did not(but admitted that yes he was now a Melbourne man), nor did Chris Connolly, who came across as mentioned as if he was already part of the furniture at the club. I wasnt sure about Connolly until last night, but think he'll be a tremendous asset to the club over the ensuing years.

Barry King was the famous doorman given the volunteers award, you only had to take one look at him to instantly recognise him. He was presented with the award by the wife of the person the honor was named after who's name escapes me, Gardiner mentioned she refused to talk, and then made the quip of the night saying 'I was she was my wife instead of the one I have' in relation to this. Many laughs ensued.

Also awarded life membership was media powerhouse Ian Johnson, it was great to see a man of his stature there, his speech was very brief though.

All in all a somewhat longer AGM this year due to the sheer volume of Life Memberships that were awarded, but it was great to hear from our new coach, recruits etc...

Great work on the report

Very through and brings up to date what is happening at the MFC

Thanx DemonDave, I forgot about Ian Johnson (probably becasue he was very brief). Did you notice however that it appeared that he perhaps had enjoyed a few Tyrrel Wines before going op on stage to collect his membership?

..

Thanks DD for your input. A comprehensive summary also.

OK.....

PS Thanks very much for the reportI felt like I was there!!

Yeah i was thinking that to Kryton... but thats what he said!

Thanks for that report - great work!

Ditto

Great stuff, thanks

There's an interesting report on Demonology that coves a bit more, for those that are interest.

The MFC site also has text of the Chairman's speech and a short AGM wrap.

Top work MFC and Dave! Your efforts are much appreciated.