2008 Melbourne Football Club season
The 2008 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 109th year in the VFL/AFL.
2008 season | |||
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Colin Sylvia during the 2008 season | |||
President | Paul Gardiner (6th season) (to 9 June) Jim Stynes (from 12 June) | ||
Coach | Dean Bailey (1st season) | ||
Captain(s) | David Neitz (9th season) (rounds 1–5) James McDonald (1st season) (rounds 6–22) Cameron Bruce (1st season) (rounds 6–22) | ||
Home ground | MCG (100,018 capacity) | ||
Pre-season | First round | ||
AFL season | 16th | ||
Finals series | DNQ | ||
Best and fairest | Cameron Bruce | ||
Leading goalkicker | Brad Miller (26 goals) | ||
Highest home attendance | 59,548 (round 11 vs. Collingwood) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 11,437 (round 13 vs. Sydney) | ||
Average home attendance | 30,777 | ||
Club membership | 29,619 ( | ||
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In conjunction with the AFL celebrating 150 years since the sport of Australian rules football was first created, the Melbourne Football Club also celebrated its 150th anniversary since its foundation in 1858.[1] This included the celebration of their "150 Heroes", which commemorated the 150 greatest contributing players to ever play for Melbourne.[2] Despite the celebrations, the Demons were tarnished by major on and off field disasters that led to the resignation of Paul Gardiner as chairman of the club and installation of Jim Stynes midway through the season. During August, Jim Stynes attempted to eliminate Melbourne of its major debt with a program called "Debt Demolition".[3]
Melbourne hosted 10 of its 11 games at the MCG, which included its first "home game" against the Brisbane Lions outside of the Gabba since 2000. They also played a home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital Canberra against the Sydney Swans during Round 13. Dean Bailey coached his first year as senior coach at Melbourne. David Neitz captained his ninth year for the Demons, however after aggravating a disc in his neck during the Round 5 clash against Carlton,[4] he announced his retirement on 19 May.[5] For the remainder of the year, the captaincy was shared between Cameron Bruce and James McDonald.[6]
Melbourne's horrid year on-field form caused them to win only three matches and ensured they received their 11th wooden spoon.
2008 list changes
2007 trades
Trade gained | Traded from | Trade lost |
---|---|---|
Pick 14 | Brisbane Lions | Travis Johnstone |
John Meesen | Adelaide | Pick 37 |
Retirements and delistings
Player | New club | League | Reason | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nathan D. Brown | West Adelaide | SANFL | Retired | |
Clint Bizzell | Unknown | Unknown | Retired | |
Byron Pickett | Port Adelaide Magpies | SANFL | Retired | |
Ryan Ferguson | West Adelaide | SANFL | Delisted | |
Heath Neville | Hobart | TSL | Delisted | [7] |
Shane Neaves | West Adelaide | SANFL | Delisted | [8] |
Daniel Hayes | Unknown | Unknown | Delisted | |
Simon Godfrey | Norwood | Eastern Football League | Delisted | |
Daniel Ward | Unknown | Unknown | Delisted |
National draft
Round | Overall pick | Player | State | Position | Team from | League from |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | Cale Morton | Forward/Midfield | Claremont | WAFL | |
1 | 14 | Jack Grimes | Defender/Midfield | Northern Knights | TAC Cup | |
2 | 21 | Addam Maric | Forward | Calder Cannons | TAC Cup | |
4 | 53 | Kyle Cheney | Defender | North Ballarat Rebels | TAC Cup | |
5 | 66 | Tom McNamara | Defender | South Adelaide | SANFL |
Pre-season draft
Round | Overall pick | Player | State | Position | Team from | League from |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Stefan Martin | Ruckman/Defender | Sandringham | VFL |
Rookie draft
Round | Overall pick | Player | State | Position | Team from | League from |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Trent Zomer | Utility | Eastern Ranges | TAC Cup | |
2 | 19 | Austin Wonaeamirri | Forward | St Mary's Football Club Norwood | NTFL SANFL | |
3 | 35 | Jake Spencer | Ruckman | Redland Bombers | QAFL | |
4 | 49 | Shane Valenti | Midfield | Sandringham | VFL |
2008 squad
Senior list | Rookie List | Coaching staff | |||||||
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Head coach Assistant coaches
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2008 season
Pre-season
NAB Cup
Week 1
Round 1 | |||||
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Saturday, 16 February (4:40 pm) | Geelong | def. | Melbourne | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 15,000 est) | |
0.8.1 (49) 1.12.4 (85) 1.15.7 (106) 2.22.11 (161) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
0.2.4 (16) 1.4.4 (37) 2.8.5 (71) 2.11.5 (89) |
Umpires: Rosebury, Nicholls, Sully, Kamolins Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Byrnes, Wojcinski | Super Goals | Buckley, Garland | |||
Johnson 6, Lonergan 2, Gamble 2, Davenport 2, Kelly 2, Byrnes, Ablett, Stokes, Hunt, Prismall, Milburn, Mooney, Wojcinski | Goals | Newton 2, Garland 2, Valenti , Meesen , Sylvia, Zomer, Green, Weetra, Robertson | |||
Johnson, Prismall, Ling, Stokes, Milburn, Mooney, Bartel, Wojcinski, Kelly | Best | Jones, Buckley, Valenti, Garland | |||
Ablett (calf) | Injuries | ||||
Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws |
NAB Challenge
Week 2
Week 2 | |||||
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Friday, 22 Feb (7:30 pm) | Richmond | def. | Melbourne | Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 5,321) | |
5.3 (33) 6.4 (40) 11.5 (71) 14.10 (94) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.3 (15) 5.5 (35) 6.9 (45) 8.11 (59) |
Umpires: Kamolins, Armstrong, Kennedy Television broadcast: none | ||
Pettifer 3, Schulz 2, Hughes 2, Howat 2, Pattison, Foley, Morton, Brown, Raines | Goals | Newton 2, Bartram, Petterd, Green, Maric, Weetra, Davey | |||
Pettifer, Newman, Simmonds, Tambling, Foley, Bowden | Best | Newton, Jones, Davey, Sylvia, Johnson, Valenti | |||
Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws |
Week 3
Week 3 | |||||
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Friday, 29 Feb (7:00 pm) | Western Bulldogs | def. | Melbourne | Queen Elizabeth Oval (crowd: 7000 est) | |
2.3 (15) 8.4 (52) 11.7 (73) 14.9 (93) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
5.4 (34) 6.6 (42) 9.9 (63) 9.9 (63) |
Umpires: Head, Kamolins, Mollison Television broadcast: none | ||
Murphy 2, Akermanis 2, Eagleton, Minson, O'Keefe, Ward, Hahn, Johnson, Boyd, Mulligan, Griffen, Welsh | Goals | Davey 2, Robertson 2, Neitz 2, Bate 2, Jones | |||
Akermanis, Eagleton, Higgins, Hill, Cooney, Johnson | Best | Davey, Jones, Bate, Yze, Buckley, Sylvia | |||
Reports | Robertson (charging) | ||||
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Week 4
Week 4 | |||||
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Saturday, 5 Mar (2:00 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | North Melbourne | Casey Fields (crowd: 6000+ est) | |
6.3 (39) 8.4 (52) 10.8 (68) 14.10 (94) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
6.4 (40) 11.7 (73) 19.11 (125) 22.14 (146) |
Television broadcast: none | ||
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Home and away season
Round 1
Round 1 | |||||
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Sunday, 23 Mar (4:40 pm) | Hawthorn | def. | Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 40,141) | |
5.5 (35) 7.10 (52) 15.12 (102) 23.16 (154) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
1.1 (7) 1.5 (11) 2.10 (22) 6.14 (50) |
Umpires: Farmer, Kennedy, Nicholls Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Franklin 6, Roughead 3, Osborne 3, Dew 2, Boyle 2, Stokes 2, Campbell 2, Taylor, Young, Rioli | Goals | Robertson 3, Green 2, Newton | |||
Bateman, Franklin, Mitchell, Gilham, Osborne, Ladson, Dew, Birchall | Best | Jones, Buckley, Green, Moloney | |||
Croad (wrist) | Injuries | ||||
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Round 2
Round 2 | |||||
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Saturday, 29 Mar (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Western Bulldogs | MCG (crowd: 27,821) | |
2.4 (16) 5.8 (38) 7.9 (51) 9.12 (66) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.5 (17) 9.9 (63) 18.13 (121) 24.17 (161) |
Umpires: Farmer, Kamolins, Ryan Television broadcast: Network Ten | ||
Neitz 2, White 2, Robertson 2, Davey, Green, Jones | Goals | Murphy 4, Hill 3, Welsh 3, Akermanis 3, Johnson 3, Cross 3, Giansiracusa, Wight, Gilbee, Hahn, Griffen | |||
Wheatley, McDonald, Jones, Green, Carroll | Best | Cross, West, Murphy, Cooney, Hill, Gilbee, Griffen, Boyd | |||
Milestone(s): James McDonald (200th AFL game) [12] |
Round 3
Round 3 | |||||
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Sunday, 6 April (1:10 pm) | Geelong | def. | Melbourne | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,569) | |
4.4 (28) 8.11 (59) 13.14 (92) 16.16 (112) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
3.4 (22) 6.6 (42) 10.8 (68) 12.10 (82) |
Umpires: Wenn, Sully, Ryan Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Hawkins 5, Mooney 2, Ling 2, Johnson 2, Blake, Ablett, Stokes, Milburn, Chapman | Goals | Bruce 3, Dunn 2, Morton 2, Miller, Wheatley, Neitz, White, Green | |||
Corey, Bartel, Hawkins, Ling, Chapman, Taylor | Best | Morton, Johnson, Wheatley, Bruce, Green | |||
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Round 4
Round 4 | |||||
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Saturday, 12 April (2:10 pm) | North Melbourne | def. | Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 23,427) | |
4.8 (32) 8.11 (59) 13.15 (93) 18.19 (117) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
1.0 (6) 3.6 (24) 5.10 (40) 11.13 (79) |
Umpires: Farmer, Armstrong, McInerney Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Thompson 5, Edwards 3, Thomas 3, Campbell 2, Jones 2, Grant, Harvey, Smith | Goals | Robertson 3, Wonaeamirri 2, Davey , Dunn, Jamar, McLean, Wheatley, White | |||
Harvey, Wells, Rawlings, Thompson, Edwards, Power, Power, Campbell, Firrito | Best | Davey, McDonald, Green | |||
Gibson (knee) | Injuries | ||||
Reports | Miller (charging) | ||||
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Round 5
Round 5 | |||||
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Sunday, 20 April (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Carlton | MCG (crowd: 44,159) | |
1.3 (9) 4.5 (29) 4.9 (33) 9.14 (68) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
3.3 (21) 10.6 (66) 12.10 (82) 15.11 (101) |
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Schmitt Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Green 4, Robertson 2, Jamar, Jones, McDonald | Goals | Fevola 7, Judd 3, Fisher , Kreuzer, Ó hAilpín, Murphy, Pfeiffer | |||
Bruce, Green, McLean, White, McDonald | Best | Judd, Scotland, Kreuzer, Waite, Carrazzo | |||
Neitz (neck/shoulder) | Injuries | Bannister (hamstring), Gibbs | |||
Whelan (striking) | Reports | Thornton (striking) | |||
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Round 6
Round 6 | |||||
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Sunday, 27 April (1:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions | def. | Melbourne | Gabba (crowd: 22,878) | |
3.6 (24) 10.13 (73) 15.17 (107) 19.23 (137) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.1 (13) 5.2 (32) 8.3 (51) 13.7 (85) |
Umpires: Nicholls, Head, Armstrong Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Bradshaw 6, Hooper 4, Corrie 3, Johnstone 2, Brown 2, Adcock, Rischitelli | Goals | Jones 4, Wonaeamirri 3, Miller 2 , Sylvia 2, Green, Robertson | |||
Black, Power, Corrie, Macdonald, Brennan, Hooper | Best | Jones, Green, Moloney, Bruce, Wonaeamirri, Jamar | |||
Injuries | Sylvia (shoulder) | ||||
Brownlow Votes: 1. Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions), 2. Anthony Corrie (Brisbane Lions), 3. Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) [21] |
Round 7
Round 7 | |||||
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Sunday, 4 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. | Fremantle | MCG (crowd: 19,423) | |
1.3 (9) 3.8 (26) 8.15 (63) 17.17 (119) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
5.6 (36) 11.10 (76) 13.17 (95) 15.23 (113) |
Umpires: James, Stewart, Avon Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
Wonaeamirri 4, Robertson 4, Davey 3, Miller 3, Green 2, Moloney | Goals | Pavlich 5, Tarrant 3, Farmer 2 , Palmer, Bell, Ibbotson, Mundy, Solomon | |||
McLean, Wonaeamirri, Robertson, Davey, Miller, Bruce, Green | Best | Pavlich, Solomon, Palmer, Sandilands, Bell, Ibbotson, Tarrant | |||
Injuries | McPharlin (corked buttock), Headland (knee) | ||||
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Round 8
Round 8 | |||||
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Sunday, 18 May (12:40 pm) | Adelaide | def. | Melbourne | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 35,649) | |
8.1 (49) 12.6 (78) 15.15 (105) 22.18 (150) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
4.4 (28) 6.5 (41) 7.7 (49) 11.8 (74) |
Umpires: Fila, Meredith, Ellis Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Burton 5, Tippett 4, Goodwin 3, Jericho 3, Porplyzia 3, Stevens, Knights, van Berlo, Vince | Goals | Morton 3, Robertson 2, Wonaeamirri, Miller, Moloney, Garland, Bartram, Bate | |||
Burton, Vince, Tippett, Porplyzia, van Berlo, Goodwin, Bock, Shirley | Best | Bartram, Buckley, Jones, Morton | |||
Massie (hamstring) | Injuries | Rivers | |||
Debut(s):Shane Valenti |
Round 9
Round 9 | |||||
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Sunday, 25 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Hawthorn | MCG (crowd: 41,341) | |
4.3 (27) 6.4 (40) 9.5 (59) 12.6 (78) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
3.3 (21) 4.7 (31) 10.9 (69) 14.13 (97) |
Umpires: James, Grun, Armstrong Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
Holland 3, Robertson 2, Wonaeamirri 2, Jones 2, Johnson , Davey, Bruce | Goals | Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Williams 3, Ladson, Campbell, Roughead, Ellis, Clarke | |||
McLean, Bate, Davey, Holland, Wonaeamirri, Moloney | Best | Bateman, Rioli, Campbell, Birchall, Mitchell, Franklin | |||
White (back), Robertson (thigh), Holland (shoulder) | Injuries | Lewis (thigh), Dew (hamstring) | |||
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Round 10
Round 10 | |||||
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Sunday, 1 June (2:10 pm) | St Kilda | def. | Melbourne | Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,854) | |
5.4 (34) 10.6 (66) 12.12 (84) 19.15 (129) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.2 (14) 3.4 (22) 3.6 (24) 7.8 (50) |
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Head Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
Schneider 5, Milne 3, Birss 2, Koschitzke 2, Riewoldt , Dal Santo, Gram, Ball, Jones, Montagna, Dempster | Goals | Yze 3, Dunn, Robertson , Sylvia, Bruce | |||
Ball, Fisher, Gram, Dal Santo, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt | Best | Mcdonald, McLean, Bruce, Warnock, Garland | |||
Injuries | Robertson (achilles), Bate (hand) | ||||
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Round 11
Round 11 | |||||
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Monday, 9 June (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Collingwood | MCG (crowd: 59,548) | |
4.1 (25) 7.4 (46) 11.9 (75) 13.17 (95) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
3.2 (20) 8.5 (53) 15.8 (98) 17.14 (116) |
Umpires: Vosso, Farmer, Meredith Television broadcast: Network Ten | ||
Wonaeamirri 3, Sylvia 3, Yze 2, Green 2, Dunn , Jones, McLean | Goals | Didak 2, Shaw 2, Lockyer 2, Davis 2, Fraser, Johnson, Medhurst, Brown, Swan, Wellingham, O'Brien, Cox, Thomas | |||
McLean, Jones, Bruce, Yze, Warnock, Dunn | Best | Burns, Didak, Lockyer, Maxwell, O'Brien, Bryan | |||
Rivers (groin), Moloney (shoulder) | Injuries | Rocca (ankle), Pendlebury (back), Cook | |||
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Round 12
Round 12 | |||||
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Sunday, 15 June (4:40 pm) | Richmond | def. | Melbourne | Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,348) | |
3.6 (24) 11.13 (79) 13.15 (93) 16.20 (116) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
5.3 (33) 6.5 (41) 11.8 (74) 14.10 (94) |
Umpires: Sully, Nicholls, Ryan Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Richardson 5, Brown 3, Morton 2, Cotchin 2, Polak, Simmonds, Tuck, White | Goals | Miller 3, Bartram 2, Bruce 2, Davey 2, Bate, Garland, Green, White, Wonaeamirri | |||
Richardson, Deledio, Brown, Tuck, Cotchin, Polak | Best | Bruce, Wheatley, McLean, Miller, White, Garland | |||
Brownlow Votes: 1. Brock McLean (Melbourne), 2. Brett Deledio (Richmond), 3. Matthew Richardson (Richmond) [33] |
Round 13
Round 13 | |||||
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Sunday, 22 June (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Sydney | Manuka Oval (crowd: 11,437) | |
2.2 (14) 5.3 (33) 10.5 (65) 11.8 (74) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
7.2 (44) 10.5 (65) 12.10 (82) 17.12 (114) |
Umpires: Sully, Grun, Head Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Bate 4, Wonaeamirri 3, Bruce, Johnson, McLean, Miller | Goals | Hall 5, Buchanan 2, Mattner 2, O'Loughlin 2, Goodes, Jolly, Malceski, O'Keefe, Playfair, Roberts-Thomson | |||
Bate, Dunn, Green, Johnson, Garland, Johnson | Best | Hall, Kirk Mattner, Jolly, Bolton, O'Loughlin | |||
Brownlow Votes: 1. Matthew Bate (Melbourne), 2. Barry Hall (Sydney), 3. Brett Kirk (Sydney) [34] |
Round 14
Round 14 | |||||
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Sunday, 29 June (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. | Brisbane Lions | MCG (crowd: 23,278) | |
5.4 (34) 6.6 (42) 10.8 (68) 14.9 (93) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.3 (15) 5.9 (39) 9.13 (67) 13.14 (92) |
Umpires: Head, Armstrong, Jeffery Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Sylvia 4, Miller 4, Wonaeamirri 2, Bruce 2, Bate, Green | Goals | Brown 5, Bradshaw 4, Hooper 2, Patfull, Rischitelli | |||
Wheatley, Green, Johnson, Miller, Sylvia, Whelan, Jones | Best | Power, Brown Rischitelli, Bradshaw, Black | |||
McLean (ankle) | Injuries | Johnstone (hamstring) | |||
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Round 15
Round 15 | |||||
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Sunday, 13 July (2:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs | def. | Melbourne | Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,446) | |
3.2 (20) 7.4 (46) 12.7 (79) 14.11 (95) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
1.0 (6) 4.2 (26) 5.6 (36) 9.10 (64) |
Umpires: Farmer, McLaren, Keating Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
Akermanis 3, Minson 3, Eagleton 2, Giansiracusa 2, Hahn 2, Harbrow, Cross | Goals | Miller 3, Green 2, Dunn, Johnson, Buckley, Newton | |||
Cross, Boyd, Lake, Gilbee, Akermanis, Eagleton, Hill, Everitt | Best | Bruce, Garland, Johnson, Wheatley, Martin, Miller | |||
Welsh (back) | Injuries | ||||
Brownlow Votes: 1. Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs), 2. Cameron Bruce (Melbourne), 3. Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) [37] |
Round 16
Round 16 | |||||
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Sunday, 20 July (2:40 pm) | Fremantle | def. | Melbourne | Subiaco (crowd: 31,638) | |
0.2 (2) 5.9 (39) 11.15 (81) 16.18 (114) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
5.1 (31) 6.3 (39) 7.5 (47) 10.8 (68) |
Umpires: Kennedy, Hendrie, Avon Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Pavlich 5, McPharlin 3, Ibbotson, Schammer, Carr, McManus, O'Brien, Sandilands, Tarrant, Peake | Goals | Morton 2, Miller 2, Bate 2, Newton 2, Johnson, Jamar | |||
Pavlich, Schammer, Ibbotson, Crowley, McPharlin, McManus | Best | Johnson, Wheatley, Buckley, Bruce, Bate, Jones | |||
O'Brien (hamstring) | Injuries | ||||
Brownlow Votes: 1. Michael Johnson (Fremantle), 2. Antoni Grover (Fremantle), 3. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) [38] |
Round 17
Round 17 | |||||
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Sunday, 27 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | North Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 21,330) | |
1.3 (9) 3.4 (22) 6.8 (44) 10.10 (70) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
7.3 (45) 9.6 (60) 11.9 (75) 14.14 (98) |
Umpires: McLaren, Fila, Hendrie, Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
Miller 3, Newton 2, Davey, Valenti, Johnson, Sylvia, Morton | Goals | Thomas 5, Jones 4, Harvey 2, Petrie, Hale, Campbell | |||
Buckley, Jones, Valenti, Davey, McDonald, Johnson | Best | Harvey, Hale, Jones, Thomas, Gibson, Simpson, Rawlings | |||
Dunn (striking) | Reports | ||||
Debut(s): Addam Maric |
Round 18
Round 18 | |||||
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Saturday, 2 August (2:10 pm) | Essendon | def. | Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 46,334) | |
3.1 (19) 9.6 (60) 14.8 (92) 19.10 (124) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.2 (14) 7.3 (45) 11.5 (71) 17.6 (108) |
Umpires: Kennedy, Sully, Fila Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Lloyd 8, Monfries 3, McPhee 2, Lovett 2, Atkinson, Reimers, Slattery, Jetta | Goals | Morton 3, Sylvia 3, Maric 2, Bate 2, Bartram, Green, Buckley, Davey, Johnson, Jamar, Wonaeamirri | |||
Lloyd, Hille, Monfries, Fletcher, McPhee, Peverill, Lovett-Murray, Nash | Best | McDonald, Sylvia, Morton, Garland, Dunn, Bate, Bruce | |||
Reimers (hamstring) | Injuries | Garland (hamstring), Davey (heel) | |||
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Round 19
Round 19 | |||||
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Friday, 8 August (7:05 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Geelong | MCG (crowd: 34,610) | |
0.0 (0) 1.3 (9) 2.6 (18) 5.11 (41) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
8.5 (53) 12.7 (79) 19.10 (124) 24.13 (157) |
Umpires: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
Valenti 2, Johnson, Johnson, Wonaeamirri | Goals | Morton 4, Stokes 4, Prismall 3, Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Ling 2, Mackie 2, Blake, Gamble, Johnson, Mooney, Selwood | |||
Whelan, Wheatley, Maric, Martin | Best | Mackie, Ling, Selwood, Corey, Scarlett, Prismall | |||
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Round 20
Round 20 | |||||
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Saturday, 16 August (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. | West Coast | MCG (crowd: 17,598) | |
1.3 (9) 5.7 (37) 8.12 (60) 11.13 (79) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.2 (14) 4.5 (29) 5.10 (40) 5.15 (45) |
Umpires: Ryan, Ellis, Nicholls Television broadcast: Network Ten | ||
Bruce 2, Newton 2, Bartram, Bate, Green, Johnson, Miller, Morton, Sylvia | Goals | McKinley 2, Armstrong, LeCras, Lynch | |||
Bruce, Wheatley, Morton, Green, McDonald, Whelan, Buckley, Jones | Best | Armstrong, Cox, Embley, Mackenzie | |||
Injuries | Wilkes (neck) | ||||
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Round 21
Round 21 | |||||
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Saturday, 23 August (2:40 pm) | Port Adelaide | def. | Melbourne | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 18,875) | |
6.6 (42) 9.10 (64) 10.17 (77) 18.21 (129) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
1.0 (6) 2.4 (16) 4.8 (32) 7.9 (51) |
Umpires: Margetts, Head, Keating Television broadcast: Foxtel | ||
Motlop 5, Westhoff 2, Westhoff 2, Lade 2, Burgoyne 2, Pearce 2, Rodan, Cassisi, Boak | Goals | Miller 2, Bruce, Bate, Wonaeamirri, Jamar, Newton | |||
Burgoyne, Burgoyne, Cassisi, Motlop, Logan, Brogan, Pearce | Best | Wheatley, Buckley, McDonald, Garland, Morton | |||
Chaplin (knee) | Injuries | ||||
Brownlow Votes: 1. Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), 2. Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide), 3. Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide) [48] |
Round 22
Round 22 | |||||
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Sunday, 31 August (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Richmond | MCG (crowd: 37,046) | |
2.1 (13) 3.1 (19) 4.4 (28) 6.5 (41) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.5 (17) 8.9 (57) 12.10 (82) 18.13 (121) |
Umpires: Margetts, Ryan, Ellis Television broadcast: Seven Network | ||
White 2, Green, Holland, Sylvia, Whelan | Goals | Deledio 4, Bowden 3, Jackson 2, Riewoldt 2, Connors, Foley, McMahon, Morton, Tivendale, Tuck, White | |||
Yze, Whelan, Bruce, Warnock, Garland | Best | Bowden, Tuck, Newman, Deledio, Foley, McGuane, Johnson, McMahon | |||
Sylvia (ankle), Petterd (hamstring) | Injuries | Connors | |||
Miller (wrestling) | Reports | Morton (wrestling) | |||
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Ladder
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Geelong | 22 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 2672 | 1651 | 161.8 | 84 | Finals series |
2 | Hawthorn (P) | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2434 | 1846 | 131.9 | 68 | |
3 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 2506 | 2112 | 118.7 | 62 | |
4 | St Kilda | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2126 | 1923 | 110.6 | 52 | |
5 | Adelaide | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2017 | 1838 | 109.7 | 52 | |
6 | Sydney | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2095 | 1863 | 112.5 | 50 | |
7 | North Melbourne | 22 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2121 | 2187 | 97.0 | 50 | |
8 | Collingwood | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2267 | 2038 | 111.2 | 48 | |
9 | Richmond | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2228 | 2288 | 97.4 | 46 | |
10 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2156 | 2200 | 98.0 | 40 | |
11 | Carlton | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 2217 | 2354 | 94.2 | 40 | |
12 | Essendon | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 2130 | 2608 | 81.7 | 32 | |
13 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 2118 | 2208 | 95.9 | 28 | |
14 | Fremantle | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1988 | 2121 | 93.7 | 24 | |
15 | West Coast | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1670 | 2535 | 65.9 | 16 | |
16 | Melbourne | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1629 | 2602 | 62.6 | 12 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers.
Ladder breakdown by opposition
Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drew | Premiership points | Points for | Points against | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
West Coast | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 45 | 175.56 |
Fremantle | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 187 | 227 | 82.38 |
Brisbane Lions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 179 | 230 | 77.83 |
Essendon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 124 | 87.10 |
Collingwood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 116 | 81.90 |
Carlton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 101 | 67.33 |
North Melbourne | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 149 | 225 | 66.22 |
Sydney | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 114 | 64.91 |
Richmond | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 237 | 56.96 |
Hawthorn | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 251 | 51.00 |
Western Bulldogs | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 130 | 256 | 50.78 |
Adelaide | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 150 | 49.33 |
Geelong | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 269 | 45.72 |
Port Adelaide | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 129 | 39.53 |
St Kilda | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 129 | 38.76 |
Total | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 1629 | 2601 | 62.61 |
Awards
Brownlow Medal tally
Player | 1 vote games | 2 vote games | 3 vote games | Total votes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paul Wheatley | 0 | 1 | 1 | (5) |
Brock McLean | 2 | 0 | 1 | (5) |
Cale Morton | 0 | 2 | 0 | (4) |
Brad Green | 1 | 0 | 0 | (3) |
Cameron Bruce | 0 | 1 | 0 | (2) |
Chris Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
Jeff White | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
Adem Yze | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
Matthew Bate | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
Simon Buckley | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
Total | 7 | 4 | 3 | (24) |
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)
Position | Player | Votes |
---|---|---|
1st | Cameron Bruce | (75) |
2nd | Brock McLean | (60) |
3rd | Brad Green | (57) |
4th | Matthew Warnock | (47) |
5th | James McDonald | (46) |
6th | Brad Miller | (40) |
6th | Cale Morton | (40) |
8th | Clint Bartram | (39) |
8th | Paul Wheatley | (39) |
8th | Austin Wonaeamirri | (39) |
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy – Cameron Bruce
Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (Second in the Best and Fairest) – Brock McLean
Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (Third in the Best and Fairest) – Brad Green
Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy (Fourth in the Best and Fairest) – Matthew Warnock
Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (Fifth in the Best and Fairest) – James McDonald
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player) – Cale Morton
Troy Broadbridge Trophy (highest polling MFC player in the Casey Best and Fairest) – Adem Yze
Ron Barassi Leadership Award – Brad Green
Ian Ridley Club Ambassador Award – Clint Bartram
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (Coach's Award) – Matthew Warnock
Leading Goalkicker Award – Brad Miller (26)
150 Heroes
Melbourne FC announced its "150 Heroes" to celebrate its 150th birthday at Crown Casino on 7 June 2008. These were also presented during the Queen's Birthday Clash against Collingwood in Round 11. Each player, or their closest relative, were presented with an official 150 heroes medallion.
The criteria for inclusion was games played (minimum of 100), best-and-fairest awards, premierships, Brownlow Medals, contribution to the club and State representation. Those who died in the war were judged based on their achievements before their death. The heroes named were:[2]
Jim Abernethy, Frank Adams, Bill Allen, Stan Alves, Syd Anderson, Tony Anderson, Lance Arnold, Ron Baggott, Garry Baker, Harold Ball, Ron Barassi, Percy Beames, John Beckwith, George Bickford, Ray Biffin, Barry Bourke, Harry Brereton, Cameron Bruce, Keith Carroll, Geoff Case, Albert Chadwick, Noel Clarke, Geoff Collins, Jack Collins, Chris Connolly, Bob Corbett, Denis Cordner, Don Cordner, Ted Cordner, Vin Coutie, Harry Coy, Jim Davidson, Frank Davis, Ross Dillon, Carl Ditterich, Brian Dixon, Len Dockett, Adrian Dullard, Hugh Dunbar, Richie Emselle, Fred Fanning, Jeff Farmer, Matthew Febey, Steven Febey, Dick Fenton-Smith, Rowley Fischer, Robert Flower, Laurie Fowler, Maurice Gibb, Peter Giles, Terry Gleeson, Brad Green, Rod Grinter, George Haines, Gary Hardeman, Henry Harrison, Gerard Healy, Greg Healy, Dick Hingston, Paul Hopgood, Danny Hughes, Anthony Ingerson, Eddie Jackson, Alan Johnson, Bob Johnson, Tassie Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Travis Johnstone, Gordon Jones, Les Jones, Bryan Kenneally, Allan La Fontaine, Clyde Laidlaw, Frank Langley, Jack Leith, Andrew Leoncelli, Charlie Lilley, Wally Lock, Harry Long, John Lord, Andy Lovell, Brett Lovett, Glenn Lovett, Garry Lyon, Hassa Mann, George Margitich, Peter Marquis, Bernie Massey, Anthony McDonald, James McDonald, Fred McGinis, Shane McGrath, Bob McKenzie, Col McLean, Ian McLean, Noel McMahen, Ken Melville, Laurie Mithen, Peter Moore, Jack Mueller, David Neitz, Stephen Newport, Jack O'Keefe, Andrew Obst, Gordon Ogden, Greg Parke, Joe Pearce, Jack Purse, Ian Ridley, Guy Rigoni, Frank Roberts, Russell Robertson, Alby Rodda, Brian Roet, Peter Rohde, Alan Rowarth, David Schwarz, Norm Smith, Steven Smith, Earl Spalding, Stuart Spencer, Charlie Streeter, Steven Stretch, Jim Stynes, Tony Sullivan, Dick Taylor, Ted Thomas, Ian Thorogood, Stephen Tingay, John Townsend, Keith Truscott, Geoff Tunbridge, Bill Tymms, Barrie Vagg, Francis Vine, Todd Viney, Ivor Warne-Smith, Ray Wartman, Athol Webb, Greg Wells, Jeff White, Sean Wight, Don Williams, Brian Wilson, Stan Wittman, Shane Woewodin, Graeme Yeats, Charlie Young, Adem Yze
Off-field crises and debt demolition
Aside from Melbourne's on-field struggles throughout the year, they were also placed into financial turmoil and the possibility of filing for bankruptcy.
On 4 February, CEO Steve Harris announced his resignation after reportedly cutting Melbourne's pre-existing debt by 50% and increasing membership sales by 40% since 2003.[51] He was later replaced by former Wimbledon tennis champion Paul McNamee on 18 March, despite the fact that McNamee did not originally apply for the job.[52]
With no cash, no solidified training or administration base and decreased membership count from 2007, the Demons found themselves winning only one game in the first half of the season. On 23 May, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett suggested that Melbourne should relocate to the Gold Coast if they were to have a financially stable future.[25] Melbourne was expected to lose $1–2 million during the year and put their near future as an existing football club in doubt.
Melbourne had little to celebrate heading into their 150 Heroes dinner on 7 June, during which Jim Stynes announced his intention to challenge Paul Gardiner's role as Melbourne's president. Two days later, before the Queen's Birthday clash, Gardiner announced his resignation as Melbourne's president,[31] and endorsed Stynes to take over. On 12 June, Stynes was announced as the new president of the Melbourne Football Club and announced his primary intention to wipe off Melbourne's debt.[53] Three days later he announced that Melbourne was $4.5 million in debt and that he would create a campaign called Debt Demolition to wipe off the debt. The campaign took place during August, beginning on 5 August during the 150 Foundation Heroes dinner. Guests and supporters were asked to dig deep and donate at least $5,000 dollars to be considered a 150 Foundation Hero.[3]
During June, Melbourne had a late surge in membership purchases for 2008. On 30 June, Melbourne successfully increased their membership count from 2007 gaining a record high 29,619 members at the time and falling just short of their goal of 30,000.
On 23 July, Stynes sacked Paul McNamee as CEO of the club.[54] During his time as CEO, NcNamee was criticised for taking a mid-season holiday to England to play in a Wimbledon doubles match. He was also criticised for trying to lure Brisbane Lions' forward Jonathan Brown to Melbourne.[55] Stynes stated, however, that the main reason he was sacked was his lack of a football background.
Melbourne held its 150 Foundation Heroes dinner on 5 August where they launched their Debt Demolition campaign. Melbourne raised $1.3 million from former players and supporters that night.[56] At the end of the month the club had raised up to $3 million. Despite all the donations Melbourne received, their major sponsor Primus Telecom announced that it would not continue its $1 million per year arrangements with the club in 2009.[57]
On 26 August, Melbourne announced Cameron Schwab as their new CEO.[58] Schwab left his role of CEO at Fremantle and re-joined Melbourne for the third time since 1982.
On 18 December, the AFL agreed to increase Melbourne's 2009 from $250,000 to $1 million, with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) contracted to match the AFL's offer.[59] However, financial disagreements between the MCC and AFL prevented them from co-funding all Victorian clubs temporarily until an agreement was worked out on 20 December.
Melbourne finished the year $2.5 million in debt.[59] They continued with the Debt Demolition campaign in August 2009, finishing the year with a debt of $1.5 million,[60] and in August 2010. On 5 August 2010 Melbourne clear all of its $4.5 million debt as Jim Stynes announced the club to be debt free for the first time in 30 years.[61]
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