spirit of norm smith

Jonesy deserves to be rated higher than what many are thinking. Loyalty. Toughness. Leader. All in a time of little support and a fragmented ineffective coaching setup.

No.46 2001 Round 2 v Crows at Football Park The Dees had had a shocker in round 1 against the Tigers and were keen to respond. The Crows at Football Park was a tough assignment. The team had a great first half leading by 6 goals. Whilst the Crows were always likely to make a comeback, the lead had be reduced to a few points when Simon Goodwin kicked a goal to put the Crows in front. 30 seconds to play. The Dees got take ball forward to a stoppage. From the umps bounce, Schwarz knocked it 10 metres forward to Leoncelli who ran and kicked from 40 metres and it sailed through for a goal. We had managed to snatch victory after giving away the lead. A rare victory in South Australia for the Dees. Relief yes but celebrating also followed. Melbourne 12.11.83 defeated Adelaide 11.14.80

I agree across all except imo Brown is in, Bradtke is an out by the way, do we have a forwards coach - if not, GET ONE (Egan or Rooke out!!)

Great appointment. He is very well connected. Now confirmed.

No.47 1973 Round 10 v Geelong at MCG The debut of Robbie Flower. Robbie was only 17 yo when picked as a skinny teenager. The Dees were desperate for a win (were 4 wins 5 losses) and smashed the Cats by 9 goals. Greg Swan kicked 8 goals and John Tilbrook kicked 6 goals. I did not see this game (my first year of going to games was a 6 year old in 1975) but my late father reckoned John Tilbrook was one of the best players that he saw in the red and blue. He must have been very good. Greats like Wells and Alves starred. Robbie’s debut was victorious and he played every game for the rest of the year. It was the start of a very special career for a very special Demon. Melbourne 20.19.139 defeated Geelong 11.15.81

The 1990 team definitely was good enough to win it. Pies stole it. The Bombers & Hawks had dominated the prior 7 years. We were able to BEAT both of them in 1990. We lost to lower teams. We were capable.

I think we should have kept Lyon going for the last quarter. He could have kicked 13 or 14 imo

Stynes was truly one of Melbourne’s best ever.

No.48 2016 Round 20 v Hawks at MCG The Hawks we’re reigning premiers but Roos’ Demons were a rapidly improving side. Roos was to step aside at the end of 2016 but the Dees had a very small sniff of possible finals actions. They only had to win their last 4 games. The Hawks were tested by the Demons earlier in 2016 and had won a tight encounter. So despite the Hawks being a top 3 team again, we felt we were a big chance of an upset. Unfortunately Jesse Hogan was out and Sam Weideman came in for his first game. Another tight affair was evenly balanced at 3/4 qtr time with the Dees in front by a goal. With the demon faithful supporting, the Dees lifted to win by 6 goals. Dom Tyson kicked the sealer and the Dees celebrated. We’d finally beaten the Hawks after years of embarrassing losses. Watts, Gawn and Jack Viney were our stars but backed up by many young players coming through. Hope was rising that very soon the finals drought would end. Melbourne 17.8.110 defeated Hawthorn 11.15.81

1994 was another very very good team. Viney Schwarz Pike Charles Lyon Neitz B.Lovett G.Lovett Tingay Wight Stynes Lovell Febeys unfortunately Jakovich was injured mid year as he could have made a difference very unfortunate to have to play Eagles in Perth in 1994 preliminary final. They would have won it imo

Trevor Spencer. 3 games in 1990. Key forward/ Ruck. Brad Miller was the best recruit from Qld. Played 9 years and was a very very good contributor as a key back and key forward.

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.