Remember to Remember – Every Once in a While.

Nigel Dawe

The great American word-weaver, Walt Whitman once said: “So soon what is over forgotten, and waves wash the imprints off the sand.” It’s a line that could well be mounted as an apt warning, albeit reminder above both the front and back-doors of every footy club: to make your moments count, because even when you do, they still drift into the expansive kitbag of society’s ever-short memory.

As such, between me and a good mate of mine, George – who barracks for the Saints, we play a game (which has surged into over-drive during this Covid period of stagnation) where we ask for someone in our club’s history when we call each other, and the obscurer the better.

For example, I got him a good one the other day, I asked to speak with “Sam Gravenall, if he was available please?” Sam of course being the 1909 captain of the Saints, which had George stumped and had me thinking that was it, until he asked – “Only if I can speak with Ernie Vollugi?”, a bloke who played four games for Melbourne in 1904! Which I still think is unfair and in breach of our game’s unwritten rules, at least I stick with former captains, leading goal kickers and club best and fairest winners!

Over the years, well pretty much since I was a kid, I’ve been collecting all sorts of Melbourne related stuff, from autographs to old magazines and news clippings, guernseys and works of art. One gem I got hold of a few years ago was an old near mint condition cigarette card of Fred McGinis, who was perhaps our club’s first VFL draw-card and absolute match-winner, the vital cog and Vice Captain of the 1900 premiership winning side.

McGinis also won himself the inaugural VFL season’s ‘Champion of the Colony’ in 1897 (the precursor to the Brownlow medal) which was determined by the leading sport journos and scribes of the day, as opposed to the on-field umpires, which is the case in deciding the modern day gong. But McGinis, who isn’t mentioned all that often anymore, if at all, wasn’t just a Cool Hand Luke of a mid-field gun, he was considered the outright best player in the first 50 years of the game.

Whilst researching something long forgotten many moons ago, I chanced upon an article in the Sporting Globe from 1935 that backs up and fully re-enforces the above claim with regards to McGinis’ standing in the sport. Under the headline ‘Fred McGinis – Most Brilliant Player of All’, the journo and ex-player George Cathie reflected on the “sheer scintillating brilliance” of the little roving dynamo, placing him head and shoulders above even the stellar likes of your Albert Thurgood and Dave McNamara.

On the topic of the Champion of the Colony award, which lasted right up until 1945; our ‘Father of Football’ – H.C.A Harrison won a record five of them between 1862 and 1869. Legend even has it that the fleet-footed Harrison was so fast and good that in 1866 a ‘bouncing rule’ (which still exists to this day) was created so as to curb his match-winning ways!

Following on from that, how’s the cap-doffing words of unbridled praise made by a journo who went by the moniker of ‘Markwell’, in response to Harrison calling it quits to his playing career in 1872, referring to him as: “The mightiest warrior of his day whose flashing eye as much as his fine physique overwhelmed his adversaries.” Not a bad way to hang up your boots and quietly exit stage left, you’d have to say.

Nigel Dawe

“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…” (There’s a First Time For Everything)

When I think back, I was perhaps unlucky, and yet very lucky at the same time. Unlucky, that I lived a long way away from Melbourne; so I had to wait some years before I saw my Demons play in person, but lucky that I was a little older so as to take it all in and fully appreciate the experience, when it finally came.

Thus, my first brush with our boys in the red and blue came in 1989, at a mud soaked mid-season game at Moorabbin Oval, against the Saints.

I’ll never forget seeing our team run out that day, after all, they were my grand final heroes from the season before, not to mention the drought-breakers of ‘87 the year before that (so to say that this ‘stampeding’ sight has now been retained in full mental hyper-slow motion, would be a massive understatement). It still sends a shiver of absolute glee and pure dee-light down my spine all these years later, when I replay it in my mind.

That whole day was everything and more for a young kid from Broken Hill, and the poet Bruce Dawe (who tragically passed away only a few weeks ago) was quite on song when he en-saged in his poem, albeit absolute hymn to footy – ‘Life-cycle’:
“Hoisted shoulder-high at their first League game/ they are like innocent monsters who have been years swimming/ towards the daylight’s roaring empyrean/ Until now, hearts shrapnelled with rapture/ they break surface and are forever lost/ their minds rippling out like streamers…”

And so, I’d be lying if I said I recall every subtle turn of event from that late 80s outing, though we won the game by around 8 points. Brian ‘Brownlow’ Wilson topped scored and our captain Greg Healy also played a blinder. But one dominant recollection was the loose-lipped Saints fan, who kept jeering our red headed ruckman every time he went near the ball: “Hey O’Dwyer, why don’t ya give Ronald McDonald his #ucking hair back!”

To this day, I remember thinking – I only wish I were a few years older, and I could then snipe back on behalf of Strawbs: “Hey mate, why don’t you just shut up – because Kylie Minogue wants her voice back!” More hilarious though, is the actual fact that history shows, and talk about last laugh – S. O’Dwyer, gained a grinning ‘3 votes’ in the Brownlow medal count for the match!

But how good were those late 80s and early 90s Melbourne sides? Probably the best Demon teams to not win a premiership; I remember reading in Garry Lyon’s book ‘Demon Within’ that he considered the 1990 squad the finest he had seen in his whole time at the club. Keeping in mind, we won the McClelland trophy that year (which was then awarded for highest points scored by senior, reserves and U/19 teams) for only the fourth time in the club’s history, the only other occasions were during our golden period of the ‘50s.

And when you think back (while it’s all by-gone and pales beyond relevance now), that year’s premier – Collingwood, we had the hands-down measure of, having bundled them out of the finals the previous two seasons in a row leading up to their eventual win. Not to mention we actually won seven out of the 10 games against them in the five years to 1990.

But history doesn’t broker with probabilities, possibilities, what-ifs or hypotheticals, it deals in the specific givens and actual results of cold hard outcomes. Though every now and then, I must confess, it is nice to ponder what might have been, and to celebrate the drive, effort and commitment required, and shown – to even get close to that elusive, penultimate goal of footy goals.

Nigel Dawe

It was with great pleasure I read recently that Furphy have stepped up to become the Melbourne Football Club’s official beer sponsor; thus in turn, the least I could do as a loyal servant was head straight down to my local Dan Murphy’s and pick up a sample of their wares.

And not a bad amber it is too, I must say, so whilst mid-way through my first few sips I got reflecting on this liquid substance that best rhymes with – right here, without peer, no fear and seer.

From a football perspective, beer has been front and centre, if not at the beating heart of this sport from the very get-go. Recall how the colonial founders of our club – Tommy Wills and Co headed to the Parade Hotel across from the then tree-lined MCG to draft up the original rules of this ‘game of our own’.

But my favourite beer related tale, from a red and blue perspective, relates to our dual Brownlow medalist and former Gallipoli soldier – Ivor Warne-Smith (who played, let’s not forget his entire football career with only one lung after being gassed in the trenches of France). The fact he fronted up again for active service in WWII puts into perspective the irrepressible fighting spirit of the man.

I remember our former club historian, Lynda Carroll mentioning once that Ivor ‘quite liked’ an ale at Young & Jackson’s ‘on the way’ to the games he played at the MCG; different times yes, but the spirit and knock-about soul of the game, I would argue, has not changed one tiny bit.

Amusing also, to reflect on many of the Demon greats from our golden era of the 50s and 60s say, how Norm Smith during their post- game functions genuinely loved an ale and ‘then some’.

But by all accounts, Norm would seem to never get drunk and if you thought he was, and said something you swore he’d never remember – he would, and could apparently do so with an absolutely fearsome total recall! In the same breath, I have to mention our Irish trojan and absolute club stalwart – Jim Stynes, who used to very often tagline his autograph with a bold ‘Slainte’, which was of course, his Gaelic mother tongue word for ‘Cheers!’

That said, I’m looking forward to the resumption of life pre-Covid, and hope you are all staying safe and keeping well in this trying time. So ‘Go Dees’, keep the faith, and I’m sure we’ll hear that wondrous thud of kicked footballs and lightning laid tackles again soon.

Besides, I now have a stack of cold Furphys in my fridge and I just so want to see Nathan Jones become the second ever Dee to reach 300 games!

Watch a little bit more about Ivor Warne-Smith here: “.. finishing his shift walking down … for a couple of pots at Young and Jackson’s then on to the MCG where he would collect the three votes!”

Jacqui Parry

I so miss the sounds of the footy – the “Ding!! Ding!!” of the tram – the youngsters shouting “Get Yer Footy Record!!” – the buzz of the crowd and the heart beat “Boom Boom!! Boom Boom!! ” before the game starts – the sound of the siren and the crowd roaring at the bounce of the ball. The groan of our supporters if we miss a goal (well it sometimes does happen). The elation when we kick truly. The cheers and the jeers over the umpiring decisions.

Robbo MC’ing the quarter time programs (so miss Robbo). That funny music they play at half-time when the camera persons are trying to catch someone sound asleep. And most of all…………….. the sound of the bugle when that young chap in the flash velvet jacket rises in the Members Stand (BEFORE THE SIREN SOUNDS!!!!) ‘cos we are flogging the opposition in the dying minutes of the game and then………………………….

“It’s a Grand Old Flag – It’s a High Flying Flag – It’s the Emblem for me and for you!!!
It’s the emblem of – the team we love – the team of the red and they blue!!
Every heart beats true for the red and the blue as we sing this song to you!!!
Should auld acquaintance be forgot – keep your eye on the red and the blue!!!

(Awkward musical interlude) Repeat the above over and over till you fall down or get knocked down as the opposition supporter trudge out of the G.

Melbourne Supporters Can’t Sing – You Kitten Me??!! – That’s a Furphy!!

Even Pet Supporters can sing that song!

Bring back the sounds of footy – get Furphy to sponsor a special webpage just so we can show those other teams how loud we really can sing and shout. Give us some little buttons to press so we can hear those much loved sounds again.

What about the roar of the crowd during the finals series in 2018 – especially with Mitch Hannan (The Cassowary) was sprinting down the wing – BANG!! Goal!! (I was there – sensational)

Lets get Tribal on line – for the DEES!!

Jacqui Parry, Merlin and Sugar
Proud Player Sponsors of MFC Captain Max Gawn No. 11
Equally Proud Player Sponsors of Jackie Parry No.19
Go Dees!!! Go Gawny!!! Go Jackie!!

Round 1 – West Coast Eagles Vs Melbourne

Liam Chambers

While not quite deja-vu all over again, when I watched Melbourne’s Round 1 game against West Coast two weeks ago, I was reminded of a few Yogi Berra quotes . He said some interesting things in his career as a baseball player and coach. Two that stood out for me were: “Make a game plan and stick to it. Unless it’s not working” and “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might end up somewhere else”

Then I replayed the match yesterday and I realised how mistaken I’d been. In my mind the first quarter had been a blood bath where the Eagles had ridden rough shod over the Demons. In reality, Melbourne has some sloppy passing at times and their kicking efficiency was below par. However, nearly all the damage was done in two of the last three minutes of term one when the Eagles scored four goals. In one minute of play alone, West Coast kicked three unanswered goals.

A few weeks ago, in a fit of nostalgia, I sat down with a friend to watch the first 2018 semi final between Geelong and Melbourne. As we all remember, Melbourne dispatched the Cats and went on to defeat Hawthorne the following weekend, reaching their first preliminary final since 2000. The new found belief in the Dees, having come through a somewhat roller coaster season, seemed justified. A dream run of four wins in a row including triumphs over WCE and GWS in Rounds 22 and 23 pointed to a Melbourne side which a sense of purpose.

Then the horror show that was the 2018 Preliminary Final in Perth. I wrote at the time that I had been unable to bring myself to watch that game again. Fast forward eighteen months later and I still can’t watch it. However when I settled down to cheer on the lads in Round 1, I had to check that I hadn’t pressed the replay button at the end of the first quarter. Maybe I should have pressed replay and watched the last three minutes again which were indeed a bloodbath.

Despite the first term score of 31 to 4 in favour of West Coast, there were many positives to the way Melbourne played. For sure there was some dubious long kicks and wasted passing opportunities but there were also some glorious glimpses of brilliance. When new recruit Kysaiah Pickett ran through and launched a kick from forty metres out, which would have been a spectacular debut goal, I could see a road map for our revival.

Jack Viney was playing with a great determination and shortly afterwards Bayley Fritsch just missed to the left. Even after Liam Ryan got the Eagles’ first goal it still felt like a fairly even match. Despite some costly mistakes, the Dees looked competitive. Ed Langdon was making good runs up the side and when he marked the ball inside 50 it looked like a good chance for Melbourne to take the lead. Unfortunately his ensuing shot hit the post.

Then that awful two minutes when everything fell apart for the Dees. A fifty metre penalty saw the ball soar towards goal and a nice touch from Nic Naitanui gave Brendon Ah Chee the opportunity to score his first goal. Twenty seconds after the hitout, Ah Chee got his second. Twenty seconds after the next hitout, an unfortunate turnover gave Dom Sheed a chance to kick a wildly focused shot and increase West Coast’s lead to twenty one points. Finally, Lewis Jetta scored the Eagle’s fifth with one minute to go.

The second quarter was better for the Dees. Alex Neal Bullen got a great opportunistic six pointer from a scrum like scramble in front of goal. Then through through some fumbles and a turnover, Jack Petruccelle got an opportunity for a set shot on goal, which he duly converted. The Eagles kept the pressure up in Melbourne’s inside 50 but Jake Lever was equal to the task, despite the dubious moustache.

At the other end Charlie Spargo gave away an unnecessary 50m penalty when the Dees were beginning to apply some good pressure on goal. Then the ensuing run of play gave Liam Ryan another set shot chance to score. Fortunately he hit the post. At times there were too many holes in Melbourne’s structure eventually giving Ryan another set shot, this time missed to the right. Our second goal courtesy Jack Viney owed a little to luck when he was awarded a 50m penalty.

With Jack Darling getting the Eagles second a minute from time, it looked like we were going to end the quarter still twenty seven points behind. That was until a great 50m kick from Kysaiah Pickett reached Jake Melksham who scrambled the ball to Tom McDonald who picked it up and scored from 15m out. Second term to the Dees!

At the start of the second half Ah Chee continued his influence; hand balling a tap from Darling onto to Liam Ryan who scored his second. Demon fans will have been delighted to see the exciting play of Pickett finally rewarded with his first goal for Melbourne. Another new recruit Toby Bedford was also having a good debut. On the other side Liam Ryan was having mixed afternoon with another miss on goal. Then a couple of minutes later he got his third.

For a while in the third quarter Melbourne were making it too easy for the Eagles, exemplified by Dom Sheed’s second. A few minutes later Tim Kelly got his first goal and pushed West Coast’s advantage to forty points. The Dees continued to kick long into the Eagles’ inside 50 when a shorter kick may have been a better option. After Pickett hit the post from a set shot, a twisty turny Viney got the ball to Jake Melksham who clawed the margin back to thirty three points.

The last quarter saw a great kick from Bayley Fritsch to T Mac who converted for his second. Unfortunately the villian of the peace Andrew Gaff marked the ball near goal after a nice short kick from Nic Naitanui. His kick restored West Coast’s advantage. The great news came late in the quarter when Toby Bedford’s superb tap down in defence and subsequent pass to Pickett gave the Dees another goal.

Where Melbourne may have thrown in the towel last season, this year they kept on fighting till the end of the match. The final score was 78 – 51, the same margin as the end of first term. Some of the Dees had a quiet game, notably Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. Max Gawn had a mixed session, his first as captain. Jack Viney really wants to be captain but the troops have spoken for now. When there’s a hungry Jack, he plays his heart out.

There is so much to be optimistic about with the line up for this year. Lots of talent and enthusiasm. Ed Langdon, Adam Tomlinson, Toby Bedford and of course Kysaiah Pickett all had a good first game. Lots of if onlys but overall not a bad start and one that went someway to erasing the memory of that horrendous preliminary final.

I’m keeping everything crossed that we get a few more games played before the year is out. It’s also good to hear that the AFL have secured a $600m loan facility that should keep the code afloat. Hats off to the NAB and ANZ in these troubling times.

Go the new improved Dees!!!