spirit of norm smith

Agree demonstone. It was bravery of the highest order to go to Vic Park

No.49. 1982 Round 20 v Pies at Victoria Park. I still remember this game. I was only 15 years old and knew Victoria Park mainly only for horrible losses. The Dees were having a down year still but some promising signs. Brian Wilson had added a lot to the side and Robbie was still our champion. Gerard Healy was spotted into the forward line as a goalkicker alongside Mark “Jacko” Jackson to kick goals. The team was young but still had captain Robbie Flower, Steven Smith, Stephen Icke and Peter Giles. Great players. The Pies we’re heading down after making grand finals for the prior 3 years without success. Still formidable at Victoria Park. The game was a high scoring see saw game until the 3rd quarter. I remember being with my late father who was very excited. He hated the Pies and any win over them was celebrated. 8 goal third quarter had us 5 goals in front. We overran the Pies 16 goals to 6 after half time. Jackson kicked 7 including his amazing battle with Billy Picken. An absolute showman. Tony Elshaug kicked 4 goals and was as smooth and skilled a young rover in the league. Flower, Johnson and Wilson led the midfield. Getting the train to Victoria Park to see the footy was always very scary. But on this day, I was able to celebrate and sing the song on the filthy enemy turf. Melbourne 25.18.168 defeated Collingwood 17.12.114

Absolutely amazing bloke. Great courage. What. Story. What a journey ada young man into. a great Demon player. NEVER FORGOTTEN. RIP Sean.

Yes he left us as a 24 year old star. The irony was that Healy left the Dees and could have played in the GF in 88. In fact he won the Brownlow in 88. He was an elite footballer and was sorely missed.

No 50. 1986. Round 14 V Fitzroy. Waverley/VFL Park. 1986 was the start of life after Ron Barassi’s messiah coaching return didn’t bring success. John Northey was appointed ahead of a number of senior experienced candidates. He was not high profile so he’d been dismissed by the Swans. The Dees were 3-10 after 13 rounds and not looking very promising. The winless Saints had easily beaten the Dees in round 12. It was a dark mood around the club. The season was turning downwards and the rumours of merger talks had started to be raised between the Dees & the Lions. Fitzroy were a top 3-4 club and still had several stars in their line up. But Dees started like the top team , belting the Lions kicking 7 goals to nil. The crowd was in awe. The Star was a young strong forward John Fidge, younger brother of Ted Fidge, who kicked 5 goals. The emergence of young Garry Lyon, Steven Stretch and Steve Newport showed the promise of better times. A young Hawthorn reject named Brett Lovett was on debut. Greg Healy stepped up afer his brother Gerard had “desserted” the Dees for Sydney’s $$$$. Brian Wilson “Willo” returned the Brownlow level form and fitness, showing why his prior injuries had hurt the Dees. On a cold June day, it brought some hope to my Demon heart. It was the first talk of mergers and the Dees had stood up to say No Thanks. The team copped some real beltings by over 100 points on several occasions in 1986 but this day was remembered as a plus sign. Melbourne 17.13.115 defeated Fitzroy 11.5.71

For what? Or who??

I think only Bennell, Vandenburg, KK and Nietschke would be unavailable. All the rest should be fit (or close to) and ready. I’d scrap any practice matches. Training should be allowed from perhaps early June. I’d say a 3 week pre season and then it’s likely a July-October season. 4 months. No crowds (very very sad). 24 players. 6 on the bench. 16 minutes plus time on. Finals could be 18 minutes plus time on.

Rough diamond

HB would be a huge addition. He doesn’t need to play every game. He would be an impact player. Play him across half forward. Hard to match up for defenders.

Agree. Gawny, Viney and Oliver are excellent but not elite ... but could be still.

Jurrah Farmer Davey Robbo Wonamirerereiiiiiii A bloke by the name of Kozzzy Pickett will also be very exciting.

I thought there would be some debate about Danny Hughes at #8. Probably through a blanket over rankings 8-15. Hughes was a very very strong and solid backman through the 80s. Captained the 87 night grand final. Also was thrown into the ruck and did a magnificent job. Absolutely top bloke and more than willing to have a chat (a beer) and discuss footy with the Dees supporters.

Steve Febey was ranked #5 so not a glaring omission. Agree Matt Febey could have made the list. Serviceable type. Probably could put in around 28-30 position.

Too many bad memories for this thread. 1987 preliminary v Hawks was the worst by a long way. 2002 final v Crows was a shocker of a last quarter. We were 7 goals down at 1/4 time, down by 3 goals at half time, up by 4 goals at 3/4 time and lost by 2 goals to exit the “Winnable GF” season. 1992 v Bombers was soul destroying. 8 goals up about 5 minutes into the last quarter and lose 2015 loss to Saints when montagna kicked the winner was just stupid. Where was the defensive flood. It was 40 seconds left when we (Howe) kicked a goal to put us in front. Why left Montagna get out the back.

A few other Dees are at other clubs aside from Hogan. Watts, Dunn, Howe, Kent, Tyson, Frost, Frawley. Would any one return for a final farewell year in their careers?

Agree. With rankings, tried to balance longevity with impact and excitement. Jurrah, Jakovich and Farmer were true excitement. Robbo (228 games and 428 goals) had both longevity and excitement/impact.

You have two children and have to name a favourite. Too hard.

Some might remember a bloke called Robin White in the mid 80s. Came from South Adelaide, fairly unheralded but was as tough as nails. Peter Walsh like. He tagged. He tackled. But like many, he came for about 20-30 games then was gone.

Another who played a year then went back to the bush. The VFL era was where players came and went to VFL, SANFL, the bush of the VFA. It depended on job opportunities, family and money available. Totally different to today’s professional footballers.

Ok so really it’s just Carl Ditterich and Crackers Keenan who played with the Dees, went to another (VFL/AFL) club and returned. No one else in the past 40 years. Still will hope that the Dees reach out to Jesse Hogan to see if there is any interest in a return one day.

There is occasionally (rare) the romantic footy story of a player returning to their original club. Paul Salmon is the best example that I recall. For the Dees, I can only recall Carl Ditterich as an example although he will be remembered as a Saints man. Ironically he was a “return” at the Saints and the Dees. He played with Melbourne from 1973-75 and then as player/coach 1979&80. I am still thinking that one day perhaps Jesse Hogan could return but history shows it is a 0.01% chance of happening for any club or player.

White was superb and retired too early imo. One of the very Demon best ruckman ever only just behind Stynes. Could have been a handy key forward. Woey was great and had an amazing 2000. But he joined the filth so went down in many eyes as a Demon.

Warren Dean was a key to our 1987 night grand final win and the finals campaign in 1987. A classy forward. A classy wingman. So cruel again that he was debilitated by a knee injury. Huge talent.

Yes apology to those who just missed out - Jack Trengove, Scott Thompson and Craig Turley.

I was feeling nostalgic and thought I’d reminisce about our best players from interstate ie. outside Victoria (excl Ireland). There have been disappointments from Tilbrook to Toumpas/Morton. But some absolute guns have moved to the Dees and had great careers. My list is: 1- Alan Johnson 2- Todd Viney 3- Brad Green 4- Russell Robertson 5- Steven Febey 6- Jeff Farmer 7-Steven Stretch 8-Danny Hughes 9-Shane Woewodin 10-Nev Jetta 11- Andy Lovell 12-Andrew Obst 13-Earl Spalding 14-Jared Rivers 15-Aaron Davey 16-Ray Biffin 17-Alan Jakovich 18- Warren Dean 19-Matthew Whelan 20- Colin Garland 21- Jeremy Howe 22- Jesse Hogan 23- Bernie Vince 24- Mark Jamar 25- Anthony Ingerson 26- Liam Jurrah 27- Brad Miller 28- Darren Bennett 29- Peter Vardy 30- Nathan Brown Special mention time Peter Walsh. Loved his attack on the footy. His heart was the size of a lion. I didn’t include Jack Viney as he came through the Vic metro schools system. Also Jeffy Garlett was from the Blues.