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Heard from a friend of a friend that, Traccs cracked ribs are on the minor side of things. They said, he said, "if it was in season he would be playing next week".

I was employed at Mobil Head Office in 2 City Road South Melbourne 1965 - 1968 and Hassa Mann was also there. I was hospitalized in 1966 after damaging my knee in a MFC practice match at the MCG. Hassa would visit me once a week and bring my Mobil pay to me. Top bloke.

One of our greats. The North footage would seem to be from 1967 where we won by 3 points at the ‘G, with Peter Smth running around in the #4 jumper previously made famous by his father - the coach that day. The Collingwood one would be from 1968 at Victoria Park, again where we won. Greg Parke visible in the footage in his first season - kicked 4 straight. At 1.27 the Geelong player who attempts to kill Hassa with a head high is good old Sam Newman.

My true demon hero through the 1960s. It's not every day you see video highlights of this great era: https://youtu.be/Xjnd7VZv3C4?si=gZnuZY91l34D8DoP

Same. Turned up for school one morning and all the boys were decked out in full footy gear (90% Footscray as this was Williamstown) but, being a Pom, I hadn’t got the memo and was still in uniform. Mum soon sorted it and the following week I arrived in my Demons gear with number 29 on the back. Joined in the game and was immediately whistled for handing the ball to a teammate (er, what’s a handball?)…

Having broken ribs myself, the recovery is mainly about pain tolerance. You can do pretty much everything you would normally, but some things are just a lot more painful. Even things you wouldn't expect, like pull ups. It's an upper body exercise, but having your arms in the air pulls on your ribcage. Hurts. So you can train and play but it'll be uncomfortable. Trac I expect it will be in the yellow bib at training for a bit so it heals fully.

I want every player, every coach and every member of staff by his bed side 24/7. Stat.

Thanks for that! There's not enough footage of the great Hassa, unfortunately. He was my childhood Demons idol and I proudly sported his number 29 on my first Melbourne footy jumper.

For those of us old enough to remember, Barry was the doorman from the mid 70's. He formed a dynamic duo alongside Arthur Wilkinson for the best part of four decades until Arthur passed away in 2013. Barry continued on until Covid effectively made the role redundant at the start of 2020. Awarded Life Membership in 1995 he remained a devoted Demon (and Tasmanian) right up until his passing last week. Condolences to his family.

Had the same thing going on with a girlfriend a few decades ago.

That is great news.

Many moons ago, I was in the Yarra Glen area, trying unsuccessfully to find my way to Dixons Creek. I stopped at a general store for directions and who should I see lining up to buy his lunch but Brian Dixon. Surely he'd know where Dixons Creek was! Naturally enough, I asked him for a little help. He seemed most annoyed at my intrusion and begrudgingly pointed me in the right direction. Just for the record, his lunch order was two pasties and a vanilla milkshake.

My fathers business in Queensbridge street South Melbourne serviced the Mobil cars so I guess Hassa was a rep. I, as a young whipper snapper spent holidays doing the menial tasks. Funny these days to think of players having actual other jobs whilst still being idolised by a young supporter.

Hassa, when he worked for I think Mobil was often at my father’s business and got me all the team autographs which is a treasured keepsake. I was also taught by Mrs. Mann in primary school. A true demon hero.

Also my first demon hero - a beautifully balanced and highly skilled player. A champion of the club.

That confirms it: 1966. Kerry Ryan, #36, played 1 game for the Dees, in 1966 (and kicked 1 goal - presumably from that mark from H's vision!) Graham Osborne also mentioned, and 1966 was his first year with the Dees.

A hero definitely just before Tulip, I did think john Townsend and Brian Kenneally were pretty good, praps ken Emselle

His daughter is married to Phil Spencer, who co-hosts a long running property show in the UK with Kirstie Allsopp called Location, Location, Location. I remember he did a short-lived Australian version of the show and on a Melbourne episode attended a Dees training session.

Genuinely couldn’t disagree more, based from what I saw from training at Gosch’s prior to the Christmas break. His lateral movement was something to behold, as was his repeated sprint efforts in the full ground exercises, and simulated square work

It’s not good, however to say he’s behind the 8 ball is incorrect and a bit insulting to Trac. He did a heap of work in his off season and has been in full training since essentially the start of training….

Let’s train non contact, that’ll help us for round 1

Hey blokes - thanks for the share and for respecting the restricted section of the article. Greatly appreciated - other sites are a little more free and easy with that. I try to have a good overview of all teams, but you guys are like the subject matter experts when it comes to your boys. I know you live and breathe it, so when it comes to the Dees, I am always more than willing to defer to those more knowledgeable and respect those opinions. That said, sometimes the view of someone removed from the passion can serve a purpose. :) Anyway, I am a big subscriber to the theory of things never being as good, or as bad, as they're made out, and hope that 2025 provides Melbourne with the stability the club needs to settle things down and play some good footy. All the best - HB

I once had an ale with the whale.

Same! (outranked even Brian Dixon who was our local hero, and was just up the North Croydon end of Dorset Rd, where I was growing up at the time)

I'm with you BD. I had the great pleasure of twice chatting with him whilst on a run. Both times a total chance meeting - once in Eltham, the other on Blairgowrie beach when he was CEO. Despite his threat of an IVO if it happened a 3rd time, he was very friendly and good company.

Was Moore in the vicinity?

His real name is Harold and he had a cousin called Len, who played 46 games for Melbourne. From Demonwiki: Mann was universally known as "Hassa", a nickname bestowed on him by Len as a child because he couldn't pronounce Harold.

I had a pair of giant posters on my bedroom wall, possibly released in association with Mobil. One was of Hassa and the other Tassie. I can also recall saving up my pocket money to buy a 7" single record from the local Mobil servo that featured the Melbourne theme song on one side and an interview with Hassa on the other. Wish I still had it!

On cue - the second in the series The Legacy Series | Episode 2 | Hassa Mann

Other footballers who had pubs with a gimmicky advertising slogan included: Ricky Quade - "Have a quicky with Ricky" Larry Donohue - "Have one with he who kicked the ton"

I had the great privilege and pleasure of working with Hassa for about 6 months while he was working for the ‘Advance Australia Campaign’ in the 1970’s. As others have mentioned, he is an absolute champion bloke, but the thing I remember most about him (outside his feats on the footy field) was his ‘crushing’ handshake when we were first introduced. Vice-like would be a gross understatement!

Rubbish. You obviously haven’t read our track experts posts of Trac’s training so far. Yes he may be a little apprehensive inwardly te body contact when games start but he has not apparently been avoiding body contact at training. Suggest you read the training reports or better get your half glass empty body and brain down for your eyes to see when he resumes. Snd I expect an apology when you do for such incorrect posting. Garbo by name Garbo by nature and information!!

Sorry, been a bit busy. Umm, no. I could've been related to Jack Mueller - Mum used to dance with him at the club dinner dances - but she married a non-Demon. I love my club - being away has taught me that - and I want it to survive, so I do my little bit.

I'm not a doctor but I think it depends on the severity of the fracture. I had a cracked rib in junior footy, probably just a small crack. It was painful for about a week but then healed quickly and I think only missed one game. I think the 6-week timeframe you are referring to is when there is a full break of the bone, probably like what May had last year and then Trac. That would obviously be a longer healing process, despite the fact some players continue to play with it. If Trac just has a small crack, rather than a full break of the bone, I would have thought it would heal pretty quickly.

I believe it was actually during the 2K, while under intense shelling using live rounds. There may yet be more casualties. Those that survive will be battle hardened. Might be a good time for some players to see what’s available in some lightweight carbon fibre body armour in case anything is needed later in the season. Ideally we don’t lose too many before the season proper.

I wonder if he actually sustained it on his honeymoon?

This really would be almost a non-issue if he didn’t have the huge hit last year. Obviously the main concern is his mental capacity after this, but I guess it could go one of two ways, 1. It impacts him negatively mentally or, 2. He took a big hit, went to hospital and this strengthens his confidence. Time will tell. i guess the main concern outside of that is if his rib area is compromised as a result of the hit last year

Ahh and thus the connection , I remember this episode

And they are a major Nick injury away from bottom 4.

No contact for a couple of weeks, then light training through Feb. Thats probable for tracc. The thing is we have had a very good pre-season otherwise.

Fake news

Might not do his confidence a lot of good.

A pretty common injury that won't effect round one. No biggie.

Disappointing but he'll be back running in a few weeks and still plenty of time until round 1. He'll be fine.