Bobby McKenzie

Fred Fanning left the club to become captain coach of Hamilton FC in the Western Districts League. Here, he was paid 3 times the amount he was earning at Melbourne. About 40 pounds a game. Can't blame him for leaving.

I've done mine in two sections. GOLDEN ERA: Ron Barassi Laurie Mithen Don Williams Stuart Spencer Bluey Adams Tassie Johnson Bob McKenzie Bob Johnson Ian Ridley Hassa Mann LESS SUCCESSFUL ERAS: Robert Flower Jeff Farmer David Schwarz Stephen Tingay Todd Viney Brett Lovett Alan Johnson Jim Stynes Sean Wight David Neitz

Amazed, listening to Norm, just how closely Ron Barassi speaks like he did. The way he emphasizes certain words. Wonderful, sad interview.

Very wise and compelling words WJ. Typical of all your posts really. A man who thinks before he writes. UNITED and with Neeld at the helm, we can start to go places.

As a teenager I managed to sneak into the Melbourne rooms during half time at the Arden St oval. So I had a chance to listen to the great Norm Smith in action. Melbourne, a top team then, was ahead of the aptly named 'Shinboners' by just the solitary point. Smithy was not happy and made a fiery speech which went something like this. " You are not playing against a football team, you are playing against a mob of mongrels. Ian McLean, come out here and pull down your sock! " he screamed. McLean, a little wingman, did as he was asked revealing a huge bloodied gash on his shin. "That's no accident, that's North Melbourne." He then said," Bob Johnson, pull up your jumper. Look at those stop marks! That's this mob for you!" Just at this moment, a crude comment flowed in from an outside window. Smith used this as further fuel for his 'hate the enemy' campaign. He shrieked," Listen to that ! That's North Melbourne for you. The supporters stink, the president stinks, the club stinks, so get out there and thrash 'em!" I watched spellbound at some of the players reactions. Ron Barassi, a seasoned player stood there bristling shifting his weight from foot to foot keen to get back into action. The normally placid John Beckwith looked extremely hostile as did Don Williams, Noel McMahen and Brian Dixon. Most of the team did look decidedly angry. Smithy's provocative speech had its desired effect and the Demons rattled on 12 goals in the second half to win by the comfortable margin of 6 goals. Yes, Norm Smith was the greatest coach for inspiring his troops. Just hope Neeld is tarred with the same brush.

No need. if you are good enough you will make it. Robbie Flower was like a stick throughout his whole career. NO, I am not comparing him with Cale. Just hope young Morton can show his true ability next season.

Yep, he would be perfect for today's fast moving game. Reckon Bluey adams would keep up pretty well too.

Sorry, WJ. I must have fallen asleep at the wheel! No, what I was pointing out was Hassa Mann's comment that Don was a National High Jump champion. I knew the great Don Williams was a very good high jumper, BUT I could find no evidence of him being Australian Champion. If anyone could find evidence of this I would be delighted to be proved wrong. One thing that was correctly stated by Chris Connolly was that Don was an all-time great. Gee, he was exciting with his exceptional leap and dash. Lying on the ground in a pack, a split second later, up and running at full bore with a long clearing kick. I guess the late, great Sean Wight was very much like Donny. Champions both. Hope this clears up my early thread.

Not quite true about Donny!

Started in 1990. You make a good point how hard the game is today to start a successful career.

Good spotting Freddy. I hadn't looked up Terry's stats re the Brownlow. In 1966 he was the Bluey winner(in his first year). In the Brownlow however, he polled just 1 vote with a career total of 4.

No quiz this time. Just thought I would look up how our FIRST YEAR PLAYERS over the years fared in the Brownlow count. Top scorers were: Percy Beams 15 Greg Parke 11 Bob McKenzie (snr) 10 Allan La Fontaine 10 Alan Johnson 8 Don Williams 8 Andrew Obst 8 Hassa Mann 7 Jack Mueller 7 Of these, Greg Parke was the surprise. To me anyway. The big names who failed to poll any votes in their first year included Stan Alves, Ron Barassi, Jeff Farmer, Fred Fanning, Denis Cordner, Don Cordner, Gary Hardeman, Travis Johnstone, James McDonald, Ian Ridley, Stuart Spencer, Russell Robertson, David Neitz, David Schwartz, Adem Yze, Brian Wilson, Norm Smith, Jim Stynes and Greg Wells. Leading MFC Brownlow vote getter Robbie Flower polled 3 votes in his first season.

Thanks for those interesting facts 'Macca'. I had Warne-Smith credited with 28 Brownlow votes. Not sure when the one vote for BOG was abolished. If he did achieve 25 BOGs as you state then his tally would be 25x3=75. This would place him ahead of Mueller and Barassi on my list. All very confusing isn't it?

Thanks for those facts 'Macca'. I had Ivor credited with 66 Brownlow votes. Not sure when the one vote system was abolished. If he did achieve 25 one vote BOGs as you state then his tally would be 25x 3= 75. That would place him ahead of Mueller and Barassi on my list. All very confusing isn't it?

Now we have the top 10. Flower, Wells, Moore, Stynes, Hardeman, Alves, Cordner (Denis), Neitz, Mueller and Barassi. LOW vote winners but GOOD players were: I. Ridley 9, C. Connolly 9, A. Ingerson 9, G. Case 8, B. Vagg 7, C. Laidlaw 7, Doc Roet 5, K. Melville 5, Rodney Grinter 4, G. Collins 3, I. Thorogood 1. Curent MFC players progressive totals are; B. Moloney 34, C. Sylvia 25, B.Green 23, A. Davey 20, N. Jones 13, J. McKenzie 6. Ex Demons still playing, C. Bruce 43, J. McDonald 22. Thanks for those who entered the Brownlow quiz. Your names have been entered for free admission to Melbourne's next GF. Hope you don't have to wait for too long!

Jacko polled just 15 votes in his career.

Jack Mueller was No 9. Not the Ox though.

100% correct 'Grapeviney'. Well done.

Correct. It was Denis. 93 votes.Number 8 recently retired captain and big goal kicker. Number 9 Lost some fingers in a mill accident. Number 10 would have won many more if he hadn't backchatted the umpire so much.

Bruce was #23, 46 votes.

Yze was 11th with 71 votes. Just one vote behind the 10th placegetter.

Stan Alves was the one. Bluey Adams came 23rd. 7th was a Cordner, but which one?

Peter Moore is correct! Next player on the list has already been named, Gary Hardeman. 6th was a speedy winger.

In the top 10.

Close. Jim was 4th with 105 votes. 3rd placegetter did not start as a Demon.(Big hint!!)