spirit of norm smith

Trade outs that failed Luke Beveridge to Dogs for pick 122. He played for another 8-9 years. Martin Pike to Lions (we got Seecamp who played some good years so trade was probably ok) Stefan Martin to Lions (we had oversupply of Ruck) Jeremy Howe to Pies (we got Ben Kennedy for a few games) Troy Simmonds to Freo (we got Craig Ellis for a few games ) But this hurt the most : Earl Spalding to the Blues - a sad day. He had five very good years from 87-91 and despite his kicking being a “work in progress”, his marking and agility and work ethic was fantastic. He could play CHF/CHB equally as good. The Duke was a fan favourite. The Duke was still a top performer when he left. He was going to go back home to WA to the Eagles then the Tigers made an offer before Carlton came with big $$$ and their 1st round pick 5 to trade. It was a big loss albeit Schwarz and Neitz were coming on board so could understand why we took the deal. He played six very good years at the Blues (92-97) including a premiership. We got Jason Norrish with pick 5 who played for 2 years and 20 games before joining Freo when they started. He played about 150 games and I think became vice captain. A very handy fast wingman. We got Donald Cockatoo-Collins with the compensation pick (pick 10) which unfortunately didn’t work out.

Surely AFL will schedule the first 7 rounds split between Suns, Lions, Crows, Power, Eagles, Dockers, Swans, Giants - play each other in Qld, NSW HUB Remaining 10 Victorian teams stay in Vic. Nil travel outside the state. That gets the draw to round 8 after end of July with 9 rounds to play. Review fixtures in 1st week of July for remainder of the year.

30 man squad Fowler Steven Smith Wight Brett Lovett Hardeman Yze Flower Wells Alves Lyon Schwarz Wilson Farmer Neitz Jakovich Stynes Gerard Healy T.Viney int. Johnson Gawn N.Jones Davey Squad - Tingay, White, Robertson, J.Mcdonald, Moore, Green, Parke, Oliver Steve Febey (standby ?)

No. 30 1984 Round 9 v Bulldogs at VFL Park Melbourne was 2 wins 6 losses and were facing the Dogs who had just beaten the top of the table Bombers at Windy Hill. All the tipsters picked the Dogs but did note it was played at VFL Park and not the Western Oval. The Dees were nearly at full strength. My dad and I ventured out to see the game with some optimism as we’d see the team run then top teams Hawthorn and North Melbourne to within a goal and easily beat Geelong. The game started well as early goals to Templeton saw his confidence grow. In the first half the Dees got out to a 5 goal lead over to see that reduce to 9 points nearing half time. Late goals to Thorne and Templeton steadied the team. Templeton’s injuries were restricting his mobility but he was a strong build and good mark. His kicking was a shadow of his former glory but able to kick goals up to 40-45 metres out. After half time, the Dees completely took over. Peter Moore dominated in the ruck. The Healy brothers (Gerard and Greg), together with Flower, Johnson and Connolly formed a wonderful midfield. Templeton kicked two more to have 6 goals by 3/4 time and Thorne added a late goal to have 5. The Dees were up by 52 points. It had been a long time since we were completely dominating. Thorne’s ability to play between the middle and the forward line was causing the Bulldogs nightmares. He seemed everywhere. The last quarter yielded 5 more goals as Templeton ended with 8 goals and Thorne 7 goals. I remember some Dogs supporters abusing Templeton in the game but had shut up by the final siren. I think they’d snuck out sometime in the last quarter. We won by 78 points. Amazing. We sung Its a Grand Old Flag with pride. Steven Smith has beaten Simon Beasley. Veterans Icke,Jarrott and Zantuck all played great games across half back. Flower had easily beaten Doug Hawkins. Peter Moore was probably equal BOG with Flower. Thorne has about 35 possessions and dominated. 7 goals. Whilst clearly limited, Templeton showed he’d still be a danger to any defence. 18 yo John Fidge showed his strength, footy smarts and good marking and skills. 18yo Greg Healy has fitted straight in alongside his brother. Gerard Healy was now a star, amassing 30 possessions with ease. We were looking forward with optimism. Melbourne 23.21.159 defeated Footscray 11.15.81

SA tourism should be trying it on. SA has nil cases. Adelaide Oval. 50,000 people. Pre game temp checks. Covid tests at least 48 hours prior for all media, dignitaries, spectators and team staff, players etc. Create a SA Bubble. If it’s not spectacular and spectators at the G, then Adelaide Oval might do. and btw I hate the Crows and Power.

Laurie Fowler has to be in the team. Three time Bluey Truscott B&F ahead of Robbie. Fowler did the job every week. He was tough. Determined. 140 games in 7 years. Victorian rep when only him and Robbie were considered the only decent Demon players. Played for Victoria in 1981 and then got cut by the Dees. It was Ridiculous. I saw Grinter and Fowler. Both were great blokes to have in the trenches. But I’d choose Fowler.

Fantastic idea. Can you imagine it. A Great “Australian “ atmosphere. The big corporate high flyers and politicians mixing it with the barefoot and blue singlet brigade.

Yes agree. 2013 and 2014 were bottom of the barrel years. We had some close wins in 2014 due to others sides inaccuracies and our accuracy. 2015 was the year when we started to get more respect back and really WIN games.

No.31 1994 Round 24 v Sydney at SCG As we sat down to watch this last regular season game on TV. It was a hot Sunday afternoon in September in Sydney. The Dees had to win to make the finals. We were playing the bottom placed Swans away. The Swans were coached by Ron Barassi, brought in to be the saviour of the derailed Swans. Whilst they were on the bottom, sometimes the Dees had trouble with such games so I remember being a little anxious. The Demons started on fire with early goals from Lyon, Hilton and Schwarz but the Swans were also attacking and scoring. Paul Kelly always played well against us and was again today. Cresswell kicked two goals to keep the scores close. We were up 8 goals to 6 goals at quarter time. The score bonanza continued with Martin Pike kicking 3 in a row to give us a handy 5 goal advantage before late goals to the Swans had us up by only 14 points at half time. Lovell and Kowal were injured and we were down to 19 fit players. Dees had 14.2 thanks to Pike,Schwarz, Charles and Lyon as multiple goalkickers. Our accuracy continued right up until 19.2 when Lyon missed one. Schwarz was showing his ability. Great marks. Kicking goals from the boundary about 55 metres out. Wow. He had just turned 22 yo but a star. The Swans could do nothing to stop him. Tingay and Viney were driving the footy forward to our dangerous forwards. We were 36 points up by 3/4 time with an amazing 21.4.130. Sean Charles added his 4th and 5th, and Schwarz his 9th goal as we kicked 27.5. Schwarz 9, Pike5, Charles 5, Lyon 4. A dangerous forward combo. The day had 3 stories. Firstly the amazing accuracy. Secondly, finals here we come ! Relief but excitement. Thirdly, confirmation of a new star, the equal of any star forward in the league, David Schwarz. Nine goals from CHF. He had 54 goals and over 150 marks for the year from CHF. His leap and agility were unrivalled. He’d kicked a goal in every game. Melbourne 27.5.167 defeated Sydney 18.13.121

A classic? Poor game which the Dees held in to win. Both sides had a shocker really. The tight tense finish kept it interesting. The Viney -Lynch incident was the main story from the game.

Thanks Demonstone. Some great memories of why we love the Red & Blue.

Great viewing once again. I’d challenge any other team to match some of our special talents from the last 30 years. They may not have been around for a long time, but their skills and talents were worth every $$$ and brought us to the game each week. Jakovich. Farmer. Schwarz. Charles. Jurrah. Davey. That’s why we are waiting to see what Kozzzy can deliver.

No.32 1991 round 4 v Carlton at VFL Park In 1991, we saw the arrival of a young wild bloke from St.Kilda called Rod Owen. He was picked up in a trade for Stephen Newport. ‘Newy’ had played 100 games over 6 years and was a very handy midfielder and tagger. He’d been part of the young brigade that had seen us rise to finals over the prior 4 years. So what was Northey doing in this trade. Owen had talent but injuries. Aggressive but skilled and had a few behaviour misdemeanours. We were to find out? As I went out to VFL Park,Waverley, on a windy Saturday afternoon in April. We had built up a rivalry against the Blues. After that had beaten us up so many times, we had exacted revenge through the late 80s. Still they were talented. Bradley, Kernahan, Hanna, Dean, Dorovich, Alvin, Ratten, Madden, Silvagni. They were unbeaten with 3 wins. I got there to see the last quarter of the Reserves and see a bloke called Jakovich kick a few goals. He looked like he had some talent (more on him in subsequent countdown matches). It was obvious that the large scoreboard or Jackson Rd end was the scoring end. The Blues kicked with the wind to start and had a handy 6 goal lead at quarter time. Lyon (after kicking the opening goal) had a heavy clash and went off injured, O’Dwyer was knocked out and Stretch had to go off injured with a facial injury. Ouch. There were no easy kicks. I recall Simon Eishold playing across half forward with his hand bandaged. We started slowly in the second as the team roles adjusted but got a late run on and got back to a goal down by halftime. Stynes was getting on top in the ruck. Our forwards were worrying the Blues defence. We looked faster. Beveridge and Jackson and Bennett kicked the last 3 goals of the half. The team played out the third strongly to restrict the Blues. Brett Lovett, Cuthbertson, Spalding, Wight and Stynes repelled the Blues attacks. We were matching them and a great goal to Jackson had us only 2 goals down. The Blues only went in to the last quarter being 14 points up. But what makes this a great victory was the last quarter. Dorovich and Hanna kicked goals to keep the Blues up by 3 goals at about the 10 minute mark. But then an avalanche. The Dees kicked the last 10 goals of the match. Wow. We were on our feet. 11 goals for the quarter. 11.7 to 2.2. With the wind, I remember a goal to Kevin Dyson who was near the centre square. It must have gone 80 metres easily. This was only his 2nd game! Owen kicked 3 of the best goals ever. On the run bomb from 60. A running burst through the half forward line. Twisting. Turning. Breaking tackles. He was smoking! We’d found a star (although the star burned out with a knee injury about 6 weeks later). Stynes and Viney were driving the footy forward, supported by Dyson, the returning Steven Clark and Glenn Lovett. Glenn Lovett added a beautiful to top it off. With 4 injured players and only 16 fit players, we’d won an amazing game. Courage. Character. Spirit. Stynes, Viney and Spalding (who the Blues then poached at the end of 91) were probably our best, but it was Rod Owen’s 5 goals, as well as this new bloke Kevin Dyson, that had us all talking. The Blues were demoralised. A 45 point thrashing. It was bliss. Melbourne 23.17.155 defeated Carlton 17.8.110

Agreed. Why give preference to big clubs. It shows the uneven nature of the competition. But what’s new!!

Woewodin? No. He had a great year or no but doesn’t deserve to be in our best 22 in the past 50 years. Maybe 30-35 ranked.

I’m afraid Vdberger may be added to the long list of Dees whose career was destroyed by injury. ?

That’s the team. I reckon it’s a great lineup. I will await Werridee to confirm. Some observations - Full back was the hardest position. Wight deserves the nod. - Hardeman was an absolute champion and the standout choice for CHB - Alan Johnson could be in the wing but that centreline is sensational - Good luck stopping that forward line - Gerard Healy was a star. He could have been one of our greatest ever players if he’d stayed. - Northey or Daniher as coach, obviously *Emergencies- Jeff White, Steven Febey, James McDonald , Russell Robertson, Greg Parke. *Assistant coach - Neale Daniher

No.33 1986 Round 18 v Collingwood at Victoria Park In 1986, Barassi had gone after the 5-year plan failed to deliver us a return to finals actions. Replaced by John Northey. Gerard Healy our star player had moved to Sydney for big $$$. Robbie Flower was retuning after missing 1985. Whilst still skilled, his body was now looking fragile. There were serious season ending knee injuries to Icke & Giles. Steven Smith retired. Kelvin Templetons body failed him and he retired/ was sacked. We needed the youth who had graduated through the successful under 19s teams from 1981-84 to stand up. Veterans like Moore, Zantuck and Jarrott had stayed to help the youngsters develop. I had been to see some wins and some horrible losses at Victoria Park so it wasn’t a foreign ground. We’d only just lost in 1985 after a valiant effort. It was a short train ride, totally surrounded by black and white. My dad and I were seriously outnumbered. I recall via the transistor, I heard that Peter Moore had pulled out before the game. Not good. Despite that, the game started well with Williams and Stretch goals (Stretch went off injured shortly after) and despite the Pies getting back on top, a goal to Johnson and a Battiston snap fired up the Dees to lead into half time. Could we? Brian Taylor had kicked most of Collingwood goals and so bustling Danny Hughes was shifted forward for the 2nd half. Young 21yo defender Paul Payne moved to Taylor. Robin White was keeping Daicos under control. White was a tenacious small back who tackled hard. Battiston, Healy, Connolly were now winning the contested footy and pumping it forward. Alan Johnson was on fire. Allday was winning the ruck. Suddenly the mixed forwards of Cordner and Hughes goaled and I remember Alan Johnson slamming through a goal from about 50metres. 6 goals for the quarter and we were now up by 3 goals. This undermanned Demons team (4 wins, 11th place) was beating the Pies at their home. They would slip out of the five if we won. The crowd was not happy. Taylor kicked his 6th goal at the start of the last quarter but a Steve Turner spoil denied him the next. Steve Turner and Paul Payne were not the classiest or talented players but they gave 100%. It was tight and tough but the Dees team held on in the last and a final Dees goal around the 20 minute mark had us back out to 3 goals up. When the siren went, it sent us into wonderland. This mixed bag team had won it. Northey was jubilant. Melbourne 16.9.105 defeated Collingwood 13.14.92

No.34 1975 Round 18 v Richmond at MCG As a young 7 year old boy growing up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I was mad on the footy and in 1975, I went with my dad to our first games together watching the Demons. I knew Melbourne was a “bottom team” (courtesy of the school yard) but that we used to be very good. In 1975 we were improving and I remember going to some winning games with my Dad. This one against the Tigers holds memories. The Tigers were dual reigning premiers in 1973 and 74. Bourke, Balme, Bartlett, Sheedy etc etc. They had plenty of stars. They were a “top team”. Lots of kids in the school loved the Tigers (and Blues and Magpies). It was rare to find a Demon supporter. Yet on this day, my eternal bond to the Melbourne footy club was boosted. With big Carl Ditterich leading the way, the Dees caused a huge upset. We won by 7 goals and I remember being so happy that I could “brag” on the Monday morning to my mates who were Tigers supporters. Big Carl was probably my first ever Demon that I remember. I recall Wells and Alves as stars and of course the young Robbie amazing us kids with his skills. But Ditterich was a huge figure for a young boy. I would sit by the fence in my first year or two and just watch the players mainly. Ditterich grabbed the game by the throat and threw himself into everything and everyone. Stan Alves was a champion and all class. He kicked 5 goals on this day. Greg Wells was as tough and determined and clever a centreman as there was. He thrashed the Tigers midfield singlehanded, delivering the ball to Flower and Alves. A young left footer by the name of Terry Wilkins also I remember as a pretty good footballer (I remember him also from the VFL days on a Sunday being a champion with Sandringham). Peter Keenan was also amazing. Big marks and goals. 4 goals. Some might think Crackers Keenan as the bloke who is mad, attends sportsmen nights and is a Port Melbourne tragic. He was a very good footballer and a shame he left the Dees after 1975. Steven Smith was a young star. He played CHF as a teenager (in the time when smacks to the head of stray elbows were expected). He was as good a key forward as Neitz or Schwarz were at his age and at 19 was destined for a great career. Aside from the stars like Alves, Hardeman, Flower and Wells, I grew up in this era, learning about Demons players like Ray Biffin, Henry Coles, Shane Fitzsimmons, Tony Sullivan, Frank Giampaolo, Tony “Spud” Dullard. They (we) had some tough years, but on this day, we had beaten the mighty Tigers. Go Demons!!! Melbourne 19.13.127 defeated Richmond 12.18.90

Thanks 58er. Apology. Yes that meant to be Lions won the 2001,2002 and 2003 premierships (not 2011,12,13). They were a powerhouse and our upset victory over them was sensational.

One word. Loyalty. Thanks Robbie for wonderful memories.

No.35 2002 Round 14 v Lions at the Gabba For financial reasons, the Dees administration had sold off one of our Home games to be played in Brisbane. It was footy madness but showed our strained financial position. After a down 2001, the team had rebounded in 2002 and leading into round 14 were 7 wins 6 losses. We had some good tough wins and reasserted ourselves as a top 8 team. After a narrow loss to the powerful Bombers, and the emotional retirement of David Schwarz, the team headed north for the Away “home “ game. Watching on TV was cruel. This should have been at the MCG. The Lions were now a powerful outfit. As reigning premiers from 2001, they were on top and had won their prior 18 games straight at the Gabba. Voss. Akermanis. Black. Lappin. Power. Brown. Bradshaw. Lynch. Leppitsch. White. Pike. Mal Michael. A huge task to win this one. In the first quarter, the mountain got steeper. By the 15 minute mark it was 6 goals to the Lions to nil. We were being smashed. A few F bombs may have been uttered. The team finally got some chances and a goal to Neita started our day. In the second we lifted to challenge and got back to 2 goals down but late goals gave the Lions a 30 point advantage at half time. The momentum seemed wasted. But the 3rd quarter was simply amazing. Neita kicked 3 goals to cut the margin back as the Dees kicked 7 goals to 3 goals to be only 9 points down at the last break. But we weren’t done. Despite the warm July conditions, we overran the Lions to run out with a 21 point victory. It was a 14 goal to 5 goal second half. There were many heroes. Neitz showed his leadership and talent with 7 goals on the toughest defender Mal Michael. Travis Johnstone was outstanding BOG with Stephen Powell, Shane Woewodin, Cam Bruce and Adem Yze in support. They had beaten the best midfield group in the league if not possibly of all time. Jeff White got on top in the ruck. Clint Bizzell controlled the defence as the sweeper and launched many defensive rebounds. But it was the lesser lights who shone brightest. Daniel Ward kicked 4 goals including two memorable fast running goals. Paul Wheatley launches a bomb from 70 metres out to lift the team. Peter Vardy showed why he was recruited with a smart game across half forward. Brown dog and Peter Walsh had held Power and Ashcroft to no goals. Chris Lamb in his 7th game had beaten Lynch and kept him to 2 goals. It was a very satisfying victory which proved we had the ability to beat anyone on any day. Melbourne 20.11.131 defeated Brisbane 16.14.110 (Footnote - to show how amazing this win was, the Lions won the 2012 premiership- in fact 2011, 2012 & 2013).

Delete. Bad memories especially that loss v cats.

No. 36 1994 Round 1 v Geelong at MCG To understand the importance of this win, it’s important to reflect what it meant. The Dees had made finals in 5 years across 1987 to 1991. But had fallen short each time of the elusive premiership. In 1992 and 1993 the team had fallen away and questions had to be answered. Balme had been brought in in 1993 but failed to achieve, with the team finishing 9th on 10 wins 10 losses. But there was talent. Stynes, Lyon, Viney, Obst, Lovett, Tingay, Lovell, Wight were now the experience. A young 21yo David Schwarz has shown ability as a CHF. A young 19yo key forward/back David Neitz had emerged in 1993. Sean Charles was back and was so fast and skilled. And of course Alan Jakovich was back after a frenzy of goals to end 1993. Could he stay fit to drive the Demons back to the finals. It was a hot March day for footy as we marched to the G for round 1. The Cats were a super talented team (eventually runners up in 94). They had Ablett, Bairstow, Couch, Hocking, Barnes, Riccardi. But What transpired excited all Demon fans. The Dees were fast and exciting. We built up a 4 goal lead by half time. But the Cats were very good so we remained anxious. But the lead grew and the goals flowed. A 9 goal last quarter saw us record a 65 point win. Simply we smashed the Cats through the sheer talent and ability of Jakovich, Schwarz and Lyon. Tingay, Viney and Obst controlled their middle. Sean Wight negated Gary Ablett. Stynes managed the ruck. But our forwards were amazing. Jakovich kicked 8 goals 8 behinds. He could have kicked 13-14 goals. 21 kicks. Schwarz was giving us a glimpse of his aerial ability and talent. He kicked 4 goals. Mcgrath, Handley, Oreilly, Mensch. The Cats backs had no answer. Lyon 5 goals from the HFF. Small forwards Andy Lovell 4 goals and new boy Jeff Hilton kicked 3 goals. It was a goal frenzy. The fans were dancing. Suddenly we had the firepower. We were back. Melbourne 26.18.174 defeated Geelong 16.13.109

No. 37. Round 18 1979 v Essendon at MCG Perhaps one of the greatest turnaround in form in VFL/AFL history. In round 17, the Dees were obliterated by Fitzroy. A record 190 point loss (238-48). I was there at VFL Park and it was dark times. I remember leaving the ground (as a 12 year old) in stunned silence. I didn’t dare speak to my dad. It was ugly. It started to rain as we got in the car to drive home and I felt sick in the stomach. My team the mighty Demons had had a record VFL loss and were empty. 1979 had started with Ditterich back and recruited fabulous Phil Carmen. But Carmen left in controversy mid year and it was falling apart. I went the next week to the G but was not expecting much to be honest. We were playing Essendon who were in the 5 and about the same quality as the Lions. Ditterich was coach and I remember him saying it would be different with him back in the team. How right he was? By half time, it was game on. We were a few goals up and the forward line of young Robert Walters and Steven Smith were on fire. The Dees were unstoppable as Walters kicked 9 goals. Three more goals than the whole team kicked the prior week. Smith was a typical tall agile CHF and was a beautiful kick. The team had been suddenly reborn as Greg Wells ( definitely one of the best Demon players I’ve seen) , Robbie Flower and Ditterich lifted the rest of the group. Laurie Fowler and Ray Biffin (brought out of retirement) held the backline together. Glenn Elliott, who moved from the Saints together with his brother Robert, starred. They carried the Dees to a stirring victory. Some red and blue spirit was restored. As we did, my late father and I ventured back to the Malvern Vale Hotel post game. I enjoyed my raspberry-soft-drink and I think Dad enjoyed a more few amber refreshments than usual. Melbourne 21.8.134 defeated Essendon 16.9.105 by 29 points.