Melbourne Football Club

Australian rules football club

This article is about the Australian rules football club. For the association football (soccer) club, see Melbourne City FC.

Australian rules football club

Melbourne Football Club

Names
Full name| Melbourne Football Club Limited[1]
Nickname(s)| AFL: Demons, Dees
Indigenous rounds: Narrm
Former nickname(s)| Redlegs, Fuchsias (prior to 1933)
2024 season
After finals| 14th
Home-and-away season| 14th
Leading goalkicker| Bayley Fritsch (41 goals)
Club details
Founded| 1858; 167 years ago (1858)[2][3][4][5]
Colours|  Navy Blue  Red
Competition| AFL: Men
AFLW: Women
President| Brad Green
CEO| David Chippindall (caretaker)
Coach| AFL: Troy Chaplin (caretaker)
AFLW: Mick Stinear
Captain(s)| AFL: Max Gawn
AFLW: Kate Hore
Premierships| VFL/AFL (13)

* 1900
* 1926
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1948
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1959
* 1960
* 1964
* 2021

AFLW (1)
2022 (S7)
Reserves (12)

* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1939
* 1949
* 1956
* 1969
* 1970
* 1984
* 1993

VFA (Nil)
Victorian (3)

* 1870
* 1872
* 1876

Ground(s)| AFL: Melbourne Cricket Ground (100,024)
AFLW: Casey Fields (9,000)[6]
Training ground(s)| AFL/AFLW: Gosch's Paddock, Casey Fields
Uniforms

Home

Away

Clash

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Other information
Official website| melbournefc.com.au

The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed the Demons or colloquially the Dees, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's premier competition and plays its home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Melbourne is the world's oldest professional club of any football code. According to contemporary accounts from the news of the day, the club's founding father is James Bryant, an Australian cricketer who played first-class cricket matches for Surrey and Victoria.

Bryant used Melbourne's Bell's Life newspaper to call for the young men of Melbourne to assemble at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) at one o’clock on the 31st July 1858 to play a game of football, and after, further assemble to form a committee to draw up a short code of rules.[7] Tom Wills was one of the men who assembled at the MCG that day.

Other fresh evidence makes clear that on the 21st May 1859, Bryant continued his quest for a football playing club called Melbourne to be established with codified rules. Elected to Bryant's newly minted Melbourne Football Club's rules committee on the 21st May 1859, were Messrs Wills, Hammersley, Bruce, Smith and Wray. Mr Sewell was appointed treasurer, and Mr J.B. Thompson secretary of the club.[8]

Bryant's hotel, the Parade Hotel on Wellington Parade, near the Melbourne Cricket Ground, is where the first laws of the game were codified by members of the Melbourne Football Club also on the 21st May 1859. Instrumental in rules committee's work was Tom Wills, when Wills and three other members codified "The Rules of the Melbourne Football Club"—the basis of Australian rules football.

The club was a dominant force in the early years of the game and a foundation member of the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1877 and the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1896, now the national AFL. Melbourne has won 13 VFL/AFL premierships, the latest in 2021. The club was a foundation team of the AFL Women's league (AFLW), and won its first AFLW premiership in 2022 season 7.

The football club has been a sporting section of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) since 2009, having previously been associated with the MCC between 1889 and 1980.[9]

## History

[edit]

### 1858: Foundations

[edit]

See also: Origins of Australian football

After promoting the formation of, and captaining an 1858 incarnation of the club, Tom Wills co-wrote Melbourne's first laws.

Wills' cousin H. C. A. Harrison captained Melbourne from 1861 to 1872, and later served as club president.

In the winter and spring of 1858, a loosely organised football team known as 'Melbourne' played in a series of scratch matches in the parklands outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This team was captained by Tom Wills, a prominent athlete and captain of the Victoria cricket team, who, on 10 July that year, had a letter of his published by the Melbourne-based Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle, in which he calls for the formation of a "foot-ball club" with a "code of laws" to keep cricketers fit during winter. Other figures associated with this embryonic Melbourne side included Melbourne Cricket Club members Jerry Bryant, William Hammersley and J. B. Thompson, and teacher Thomas H. Smith. Whereas, fresh contemporary evidence from Bell's Life confirms the prominent role Jerry Bryant played in formation of the Melbourne Football Club at his Parade Hotel on the 21st May 1859.[7][8]

It is possible that the first game played involving the Melbourne team took place on or adjacent to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 14 August following Bryant's call for 'all good kicks' to take part with a subsequent match held among the Melbourne Cricket Club members on 30 August.[10] On 25 September, Melbourne was challenged to a match by the South Yarra Football Club featuring 26 players a side, with Melbourne winning the game.[11] Although the club had not yet been established as a formal entity,[citation needed] the year 1858 has long been recognised as being the foundation year of the Melbourne Football Club and for Australian rules football.

### 1859–1876: establishment and early years

[edit]

With the cricket season finished The Argus reported in early May 1859 that the membership of the "Melbourne Football Club" was growing 'owing, probably, to its being no longer confined to members of the Melbourne Cricket Club'.[12] On 14 May the club held its first match of the year in the Richmond Paddock with two sides captained by Smith and Bryant, with Bryant's side kicking two goals for victory.[13][14] A subsequent meeting was held to elect a Secretary, Treasurer and committee of five to administer the affairs of the club and to draft its rules, whilst an application to the MCC was made for use of the MCG on Wednesdays and Saturdays.[14] Although most Melbourne players and officials were associated with the MCC, the football club was not initially allowed to use its ground, so matches were played on the fields at Yarra Park.

Former Parade Hotel near the MCG, where in 1859 the "Rules of the Melbourne Football Club" were drafted

On 17 and 21 May 1859, Wills, Hammersley, Thompson and Smith met near the MCG at the Parade Hotel, owned by Bryant, to draft "The Rules of the Melbourne Football Club".[15] The resulting ten codified rules are the laws from which Australian rules football evolved.

In the early years of the club, football matches were conducted on a casual basis with no set fixture and teams often having to cancel engagements due to a lack of players. The first mention of an interclub match played under the new code was between Melbourne and South Yarra in July 1859, with Hammersley as Melbourne's inaugural captain.[16] In 1860 Melbourne played its first match against the Geelong Football Club in Geelong with the match resulting in a draw.

In 1861, Melbourne participated in the Caledonian Society Challenge Cup, but lost the trophy to the Melbourne University Football Club. The club pushed for its rules to be the accepted rules, however many of the early suburban matches were played under compromised rules decided between the captains of the competing teams.

Melbourne playing in Yarra Park at the start of the 1874 season

By 1866 several other clubs had also adopted an updated version of Melbourne's rules, drafted at a meeting chaired by Wills' cousin, H. C. A. Harrison. Harrison was a key figure in the early years of the club; he often served as captain and, in later years, as president. Due to his popular reputation and administrative efforts, he was officially named "Father of Australian Football" in 1908, the year of the sport's golden jubilee.

During the 1870s, Melbourne fielded teams in the Seven Twenties and South Yarra Cup competitions.

### 1877–1896: Victorian Football Association

[edit]

Melbourne side of 1879

In 1877, Melbourne became a founding member of the Victorian Football Association (VFA). During the same year the club took part in the first interstate football match involving a South Australian side, Victorian, defeating the home side 1–0.[17] Melbourne never won a VFA premiership, although they were consistently one of the stronger teams in the competition, finishing as runners-up four times, to Carlton in 1877, Geelong in 1878 and twice to Essendon in 1893 and 1894.

In 1884 Melbourne's stand at the MCG which catered for 3,000 spectators burned down precipitating a series of financial constraints for the club. With mounting debts, club officials running up unauthorised accounts, poor on-field form and players leaving to join other clubs, Melbourne's future was in serious jeopardy by 1888. It was proposed that the MCC intervene to provide assistance given the closeness of the two clubs and the fact that football matches generated significant gate revenue for the MCC.

At the end of the 1889 season, the MFC and MCC committees met and agreed to amalgamation of the two. The football club would become a section of the cricket club with the MCC handling the MFC's immediate and ongoing financial concerns. Melbourne's on-field prospects soon lifted finishing fourth on the ladder in 1892 and vying the Premiership in 1893. This was to be the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership that produced 12 VFL Premierships between 1900 and 1964.[18]

### 1897–1932: early years in the Victorian Football League

[edit]

Chart of yearly ladder positions for Melbourne in VFL/AFL Melbourne team that won its first VFL premiership in 1900

In 1897, Melbourne joined other VFA powerhouse clubs Essendon, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Geelong, and South Melbourne to form the breakaway Victorian Football League with Carlton and St Kilda also joining. In the first season of the new competition, Jack Leith was the league's leading goalscorer while Fred McGinis emerged as a champion player and league identity being judged Champion of the Colony for the season.[18] In 1900, McGinis helped take Melbourne to its first VFL premiership, defeating Fitzroy in a Grand Final upset at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground; and, in 1904, Vin Coutie kicked 39 goals to be the League's leading goalkicker. But, despite this success, including playing in the finals again in 1902, Melbourne's first decade of the 20th century was poor on-field, with the club taking out the Wooden Spoon in 1905 and 1906.

In the 1910s the team had adopted the nickname 'Fuchsias' alongside the pre-existing Redlegs name and in 1912 the club adopted a club song to the tune of 'You're A Grand Old Flag". Harry Brereton was the VFL leading goalscorer in the 1911 and 1912 season. During this time the club took pride in its policy of amateurism and when World War I broke out, the club strongly petitioned for the league being suspended to prevent fit professional footballers from joining the war effort. In 1916 the club refused to take part in the competition for three seasons, returning in 1919. 14 Melbourne players lost their lives in the conflict, including Arthur Mueller 'Joe' Pearce, Clifford Burge, Jack Doubleday, Desmond McDonald, Ralph Robertson, Percy Rodriguez and Alfred Williamson.[18] For instance, in May 1919, an unidentified former Melbourne footballer, wrote to the football correspondent of The Argus as follows:

"In 1914 the Melbourne football team, after its junction with the University, was a fine team, and succeeded in reaching the semi-finals.
Out of this combination the following players enlisted and served at the front:—
C. Lilley (seriously wounded), J. Hassett, H. Tomkins (severely wounded), J. Evans (seriously wounded), W. Hendrie, R. L. Park, J. Doubleday (died), A. Best, C. Burge (killed), C. (viz., A.) Williamson (killed), J. Brake, R. Lowell, E. Parsons (seriously wounded), A. M. Pearce (killed), F. Lugton (killed), A. George, C. Armstrong, P. Rodriguez (killed), J. Cannole (viz., Connole), A. Fraser (seriously wounded), T. Collins.
These are all players of note, and in themselves would have formed a very fine side, but there is only one of them playing at the present time, viz., C. Lilley, who, as a matter of fact, takes the field under some disability owing to severe wounds which he received on service." — The Argus, 16 May 1919.[19]

Melbourne had little success in the immediate post-war years having not played a final since 1915, taking out another Wooden Spoon in 1919. However, finals form would return with the team defeating Geelong and later losing to Collingwood in 1925. In 1926 Albert Chadwick captain-coached the team to its second league Premiership defeating Collingwood in the Grand Final. Melbourne's greatest player at this time was Ivor Warne-Smith, who in the Premiership year won the club's first Brownlow Medal. Warne-Smith went on to win a second Brownlow in 1928, a year in which Melbourne would play finals again. Chadwick and Warne-Smith would both go on to have influential administrative roles in the club's most successful period in the 1950s.

### 1933–1964: dominant years

[edit]

The Great Depression took a financial toll on the club with poor on-field performances and some players having the pressure of having to search for employment. Melbourne's fortunes were lifted however for the 1933 season when it lured Richmond's premiership winning coach Frank "Checker" Hughes and Richmond's secretary Percy Page to the club.

Hughes was a tough and disciplined coach inspiring the changing of the club's nickname from the Fuchsias to the Demons.[20]

> You are playing like a lot of flowers. Lift your heads and play like demons!

— Hughes during a speech to his players[21]

Under Hughes' leadership, and with star players including captain Allan La Fontaine, rover Percy Beames, backman Jack Mueller and Norm Smith at full forward, the Demons played finals in 1936 and 1937, and became the third club after Carlton and Collingwood to win three successive premierships in 1939, 1940 and 1941.[22]

Tragedy would fall on the club soon after with 11 players giving their lives whilst serving in World War 2. These players included premiership players Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, Harold Ball, Syd Anderson and Ron Barassi Sr, all for whom club awards have been dedicated to, with the club's Best and Fairest award named in honour of Truscott.

Hughes left the club at the end of the 1941 season but returned in 1945. The next year Don Cordner became the second Demon to win the Brownlow Medal with Melbourne reaching the grand final, losing to Essendon by a margin of 63 points. Fred Fanning was the VFL leading goal scorer in 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1947 when he also kicked the league record 18 goals in a match during the last game of the season (a record that still stands). In 1948, Melbourne met Essendon in a grand final rematch. The Bombers' inaccurate kicking of 7 goals and 27 behinds resulted in the first ever drawn VFL grand final. The Demons returned the next week to win its sixth premiership with Jack Mueller kicking six goals in the match. Hughes retired again as coach at the end of the season and after being denied the position by a single vote of the club's committee, Norm Smith moved to Fitzroy to take a position as captain-coach.

Demons great Norm Smith coached the club to six premierships

New coach Allan La Fontaine had limited success despite the Demons playing finals in 1950 and bringing talented new players into the club. After the Demons took out the Wooden Spoon in 1951, Smith returned to take up the coaching position in the 1952 season and set about forging a new team with future club champion Ron Barassi joining in 1953 under the newly created father-son rule. In 1954, the Demons made the Grand Final losing to a rampaging Footscray. In 1955 the Demons cemented their position as the best team in the league finishing top of the ladder and taking out the Premiership in the Grand Final against Collingwood. Melbourne became the only VFL team to win three premierships in succession twice by winning the 1956 and 1957 grand finals against Collingwood and Essendon. The Demons suffered a shock defeat to their rivals Collingwood in the 1958 grand final, but would regain the premiership following wins in the 1959 and 1960 grand finals against Essendon and Collingwood.

Despite playing in the finals series in 1961, 1962 and 1963, Melbourne failed to reach a grand final until 1964 when the Demons finished top of the ladder again. In one of the most thrilling grand finals, Melbourne won its 12th VFL premiership in the dying seconds of the game against Collingwood with back-pocket player Neil Crompton kicking the winning goal.

After the 1954 Grand Final loss to Footscray, no team was able to score 100 points against the Demons until Collingwood in round 5 1963. The next team was Geelong with 110 in round 1 1964. and dominant period of any team in the VFL/AFL no other team has ever won 10 premierships in just 31 years.[23]

### 1965–1986: decades of disappointment

[edit]

In one of the greatest shock moves in the VFL history, Ron Barassi transferred to Carlton as captain-coach for the 1965 season. Despite this, Melbourne were still the dominant team of the league, winning its first eight games in succession. After having lost just three games, the club's committee made the startling decision to sack Norm Smith as coach before its Round 13 fixture against North Melbourne. Hughes returned to coach the Demons in a losing game, while Melbourne identities, including Barassi took to the media to defend Smith. Smith was reinstated however the damage was done, the Demons would only win one more game and subsequently missed out on finals for the first time since 1953. Melbourne would not play in another finals series until 1987.

Smith coached two more seasons with Melbourne and a succession of coaches followed trying to reverse the Demons fortunes including John Beckwith (1968–70), Ian Ridley (1971–73), Bob Skilton (1974–77) and Dennis Jones (1978). Melbourne languished near the bottom of the ladder throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, including three wooden spoons in 1969, 1974 and 1978. Despite possessing gifted players including Robert Flower and Greg Wells, the introduction of country zoning and poor management hampered the club's fortunes. Melbourne tried to supplement its list by recruiting older players from successful teams including Carl Diterich who played in two separate engagements with the Demons, the first between 1973 and 1975 and then serving as captain-coach in 1979 and 1980.

Melbourne's best start to a season was in 1971 when the club was at the top of the ladder after the first round and maintained that position until it lost to Collingwood in round 6. Melbourne was still in second place at the start of the second half of the season but a dramatic slump had them dropping to fifth position five weeks later. They finished with only two more wins and a draw.

In 1976, Melbourne missed what looked to be an almost certain finals appearance. In the final round, the Demons only needed to beat bottom side Collingwood, and for Footscray to lose to the top side Carlton. The Demons beat Collingwood at Victoria Park but an unexpected drawn match between Footscray and Carlton saw the Bulldogs edge out the Demons for the finals. Melbourne would then fall back into the bottom quarter of the ladder the following season, and in 1979 they suffered the worst defeat in VFL/AFL history, losing to Fitzroy by 190 points in round 17,[24] although they would beat Essendon the following week.

Melbourne's 1980s shield logo

In an effort to attract more members and to improve the club's finances the club legally separated from the MCC, becoming a public company. In 1981, under the chairmanship of Sir Billy Snedden, and with a public campaign backed by radio broadcaster Derryn Hinch, Ron Barassi returned to Melbourne as coach and immediately appointed Robert Flower as captain. When he left the Demons in 1965 it was felt Barassi would eventually return and his arrival caused much excitement and an expectation of immediate success. Barassi set about implementing a 5-year plan for the Demons to win a Premiership, however the Demons finished 1981 with the wooden spoon after winning only one game. Recruits Brian Wilson from Footscray and Peter Moore from Collingwood would win the club's 4th and 5th Brownlow Medals in 1982 and 1984. However, despite sound recruiting, Barassi was unable to take the Demons to an elusive finals series and John Northey took up the coaching position in 1986.

### 1987–2006: rollercoaster years

[edit]

Melbourne would finally make the finals in 1987 in dramatic fashion needing to beat Footscray at the Western Oval and requiring Geelong to lose to Hawthorn. The Demons beat the Bulldogs by two goals with the Hawks beating the Cats by three points in the dying seconds of the game. Both matches took place at the same time, with the Melbourne fans cheering towards the end of the game when news came through of the Hawks win. Melbourne cruised into the Preliminary Final defeating North Melbourne by 118 points and Sydney by 76 points. In Robert Flower's last game, the Demons lead the Hawks by 4 points at the final siren, though Hawthorn's Gary Buckenara had a free kick 55 metres out. But Melbourne Irish recruit Jim Stynes ran across the mark and incurred a 15-metre penalty, bringing Buckenara close enough to kick the winning goal after the siren. The Demons would try to exact revenge on the Hawks in the 1988 Grand Final but were trounced by 96 points.

From 1987 to 1991, Melbourne had five positive win–loss differentials in successive seasons which the club had not been able to achieve since the 1950s. Thereafter things went downhill for Northey, although Jim Stynes won the Brownlow in 1991. In 1992, the club finished 11th, and Northey was replaced by Neil Balme as coach. Balme coached Melbourne into the finals in 1994, but a last game loss to Brisbane saw them drop out of the top-eight in 1995, and the club lingered at or near the bottom of the ladder for most of the 1996 season.

By 1996, the club was also in dire financial straits. The club's board led by past club champion Ian Ridley as president decided on the desperate step of a merger with Hawthorn. In the ensuing weeks, a passionate debate was fought between pro and anti-merger supporters. In the first few days of this debate, lifelong supporters Mark and Anthony Jenkins met with coterie member George Zagon to form the Demon Alternative – an anti-merger group that was to significantly impact on the plans of the incumbent board. Former player and politician Brian Dixon and Rabbi Joseph Gutnick became the prominent leaders of the Demon Alternative group. The group quickly organised itself into a credible option for Melbourne supporters; however given the support of the AFL and other factors, when the merger issue was put to a vote, a majority of Melbourne members supported the board. In a meeting on the opposite side of town, Hawthorn members rejected their board's proposal and eventually the merger was defeated.

Gutnick and Mark Jenkins were co-opted onto the club's board in the aftermath with Gutnick later being voted in as president. He put $3 million of his own money into the club, and sacked Balme as coach midway through the 1997 season. In 1998, under new coach Neale Daniher, the club spent most of the season in the top eight and beat the eventual premiers Adelaide in the Qualifying Final. Melbourne also eliminated St Kilda, but lost to North Melbourne in the Preliminary Final. In 1999 Melbourne finished in the bottom three.

In an exciting finish to the 2000 season, Melbourne stormed its way into the Grand Final, but were convincingly beaten by ladder leaders Essendon. Melbourne missed out on finals in 2001 finishing 11th, but would finish sixth in 2002 to eventually lose its semi-final to Adelaide at the MCG in a controversial ‘away’ game, only played in Melbourne due to the AFL's contractual obligations with the MCG. Captain David Neitz would play his best season winning the Best and Fairest award and winning the club's first Coleman Medal as the league's leading goalscorer kicking 75 goals. Gutnick was replaced by Gabriel Szondy as president at the end of the year winning 65% of the members' vote.

In 2003, Melbourne plunged into new on and off-field crises, winning only five games for the year and posting a $1 million loss. Szondy resigned as president and it seemed that Daniher's tenure as coach was under threat. Melbourne played finals again in 2004. In a seesawing Elimination Final, the Demons lost to Essendon by less than a goal. During the 2004 post-season, Melbourne player Troy Broadbridge was killed in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, when he was swept off Phi Phi island in Thailand. His body was found on 3 January 2005, and brought home. A funeral was held on 20 January 2005 in recognition to the No. 20 guernsey he wore during his playing days. During the 2005 off-season, the whole team travelled to the island in which Broadbridge was killed to build a new school for those struck by the tsunami. The No.20 jumper was then rested for two years.

Melbourne finished the 2005 season in seventh position but lost the elimination final to Geelong by 55 points. In 2006, after a slow start, Melbourne again finished the season in seventh position. After defeating St Kilda in the second Elimination Final by 18 points the season ended the following week when Fremantle beat the Demons by 28 points. Daniher had become the club's the second longest-serving coach while Neitz became Melbourne's all-time leading goal-kicker on 19 May, surpassing Norm Smith's previous record of 546 goals. Two weeks later, he broke Robert Flower's long standing record of 272 games, making him the longest serving Demon in history.

### 2007–2017: years of struggle

[edit]

At the start of the 2007 AFL season, Melbourne were thought by many pundits to be contenders for the Premiership, but injuries to key players across the team resulted in the Demons losing its opening nine matches. Daniher resigned as coach mid-season with Mark Riley appointed as caretaker coach. Late in the season, David Neitz became the first Melbourne player to play 300 games.

David Neitz retired as the club's games and goals record holder, along with being the longest serving captain

Dean Bailey was appointed coach for the 2008 season, however Melbourne lost their first six matches, before breaking through with a record comeback win in round seven against Fremantle. Melbourne finished the season poorly finishing last on the ladder, taking out its first Wooden Spoon since 1997.

Off field, the club remained in turmoil. In its 150th anniversary year club CEO Steve Harris resigned and was replaced by former Wimbledon tennis champion Paul McNamee in early 2008.[25] Club President Paul Gardner also resigned mid-season making way for former club champion Jim Stynes who inherited a $4.5 million debt.[26] Stynes immediately got to work and was instrumental in Melbourne's ‘Debt Demolition’ campaign held in a Kensington warehouse on 5 August. More than $1.3 million was raised on the night, with more than $3 million pledged to the cause.[27] The Stynes' board sacked McNamee after just four months following criticism of him holidaying in Wimbledon to compete in a legends match.[28] New club CEO Cameron Schwab declared that it required urgent AFL assistance to continue, requesting additional funding to its special annual distribution. In December, a fallout in negotiations between the Melbourne Cricket Club resulted in the MCC not committing an expected $2 million to the club and Schwab declared that the club's immediate future was in doubt.[29] This doubt was quickly put to bed when the AFL and MCC finalised negotiations. The AFL committed $1 million to the club in 2009, with the MCC matching the AFL contribution.[30]

Melbourne endured another poor season in 2009, winning just four matches to claim back-to-back Wooden Spoons. The year was made worse in July when Jim Stynes revealed he was fighting cancer. He temporarily stood down, with vice-chairman Don McLardy stepping up in his absence. In 2010 the club's on-field fortunes lifted, as they finished the season 12th on the ladder.

The club's 2011 season took a dramatic turn when the Demons suffered its second greatest loss in league history, going down to Geelong at Kardinia Park in round 19 by 186 points. Bailey was immediately sacked as coach with former club captain Todd Viney coaching the remaining games to finish 13th on the ladder. In August the club announced that its goal of wiping out the club's debt had finally been achieved[31] and new coach Mark Neeld was announced in September.[32]

In 2012 Jim Stynes retired as president, with vice-president Don McLardy stepping up to take the reins. Tragically, on March 20, Stynes’ long fight with cancer came to an end. He was given a state funeral, given his remarkable legacy on and off the field. The AFL investigated Melbourne's 2009 season in August, following comments made by former Demon and Carlton player, Brock McLean, that the club had not been trying to win.[33] See: Melbourne Football Club tanking scandal

In 2013, Melbourne managed just one win from its first 11 games and Neeld was sacked as coach in Round 17 with assistant coach Neil Craig being appointed caretaker. This was precipitated by the departures of CEO Schwab and President McLardy. In September the club announced Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos signed a two-year deal to coach the Demons, with the option of a third year.

Paul Roos' first year in his tenure as the Demons' coach saw an improvement from their 2013 season, with the Demons doubling their win tally. Under Roos, the club continued to steadily improve winning 7 games in 2015 and key forward Jesse Hogan won Melbourne's second AFL Rising Star award. Roos left Melbourne after another improved season in 2016 with assistant coach Simon Goodwin taking over in a planned succession.

Melbourne finished the 2017 season in ninth place with a win–loss record of 12–10, missing out on eighth spot to West Coast by 0.5%.

Melbourne made history in 2017, competing as one of the eight foundation clubs in the inaugural AFL Women's competition. Led by captain Daisy Pearce and coach Mick Stinear, Melbourne took on the Brisbane Lions in the first game of the new league at Casey Fields.

At the end of the 2018 season Melbourne finished in fifth place on the ladder reaching the finals series for the first time since 2006. The Demons advanced to an eventual Preliminary final defeat to West Coast after defeating Geelong and Hawthorn. Melbourne's success could not be maintained in 2019 with the Demons finishing 17th on the ladder. In the shortened 2020 season interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Melbourne would finish ninth on the Ladder winning nine and losing eight games.

### 2021: premiership success after 57 years

[edit]

Demons fans celebrate at Forrest Place in Perth following Melbourne's 2021 premiership win the previous day over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium

Melbourne's victory over North Melbourne in Round 7 of the 2021 season put them on the top of the ladder for the first time since the third round of 2005. They won their first nine matches of a season for the first time since 1956. Melbourne's win over West Coast in Round 21 put them at the top of the ladder again and secured their first double chance in a finals series since the 2000 season. Their next win against Adelaide equalled their most wins in a season from 1956. With captain Max Gawn kicking a goal after the siren in the Round 23 match against Geelong, Melbourne finished the season as minor premiers for the first time since 1964. After defeating Brisbane in a qualifying final at the Adelaide Oval and Geelong in a preliminary final at Optus Stadium, the Demons reached their first grand final since 2000.[34] On 25 September, Melbourne won its 13th VFL/AFL premiership, defeating the Western Bulldogs by 74 points in the grand final at Optus Stadium in Perth; it was their first premiership since their 1964 victory against Collingwood. Christian Petracca was unanimously judged as best on the ground, winning the club's first Norm Smith Medal.[35]

2021 AFL Grand Final | G | B | Total

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|
|

Melbourne | 21 | 14 | 140
Western Bulldogs | 10 | 6 | 66
Venue: Perth Stadium | Crowd: 61,118[36]

### 2022–present

[edit]

Melbourne's premiership defence began with 10 straight victories, increasing their streak from last year to 17, before suffering three losses on the bounce to fellow finalists Fremantle, Sydney and Collingwood. The Demons’ form in the second half of the 2022 season was inconsistent, but the reigning premiers emphatically secured a spot in the top four after a comfortable 58-point victory over Brisbane in the final round. The Demons finished second with a win–loss record of 16 wins and six losses, but came undone in the finals, bowing out in straight sets after losing to Sydney and Brisbane in the qualifying and semi final respectively.

The 2023 season for Melbourne was widely similar to its predecessor, going on frequent winning streaks and suffering sporadic losses to record 16 wins and seven losses for a fourth-placed finish. Their season ended in week two of the finals, losing to Collingwood and Carlton in the qualifying and semi final respectively, becoming the first team to suffer consecutive straight sets exits in two seasons under the current AFL finals system.

The 2024 AFL season saw Melbourne miss finals for the first time since 2020, with the club finishing 14th with a total of 11 wins and 12 losses. Despite spending large periods of the season within the top eight, Melbourne lost 5 of their last 6 matches to drop out of finals calculations. The year was compounded by a myriad of on and off-field issues including a season ending injury to Christian Petracca during the annual King's Birthday match after he was kneed in the ribs late in the first quarter by Collingwood captain Darcy Moore. Melbourne entered the 2025 season with the backing of many parts of the football media system to return to finals, though the club won fewer games than the previous year and sacked coach Simon Goodwin with three rounds remaining in the season.[37]

## Club symbols

[edit]

### Colours

[edit]

In one of the first practice matches between Melbourne teammates in 1859, both red and blue were worn and these colours quickly became associated with the Melbourne Football Club, although they were not used as part of the team's uniform.

In 1872, club member Larry Bell brought some red stockings back from England which were teemed with blue knickerbockers and jerseys and red caps. It is at this time that the team became known as the 'Redlegs'. Bell also brought back with him blue stockings which were reputedly given to the Carlton Football Club.[18]

### Uniform

[edit]

In the early days of Australian football, players would wear whatever sporting clothing they had. As most of its players were members of the Melbourne Cricket Club, it quickly became the trend for Melbourne players to wear predominantly white clothes, which gave rise to the team being called the 'Invincible Whites'. For a brief period in 1861 and 1862, the club adopted magenta flannel shirts, but these were soon abandoned.

From 1872, a more standardised uniform was adopted, although it remained common for footballers to wear a mismatch of uniforms. Most footballers had dispensed with wearing cricket whites and were now choosing to wear woollen navy guernseys which were more suitable for winter play. The Melbourne team distinguished itself with red socks and a red cap. A canvas lace up guernsey was introduced in 1884 which featured a red leather strip down the middle and was worn by players up until 1915. In 1906, some players wore a navy woollen guernsey with a small red yoke around the neck. When Melbourne re-entered the competition for the 1919 season, a standardised uniform was used with a red V on a navy jumper. In 1925, the V was made smaller and raised to the collar with a red horizontal band added to the waist.[18]

The current club jumper of a red V-shaped yoke on a navy background was first adopted in 1935, and apart from very slight variations over the years, and a period in which royal blue was used between 1975 and 1986 due to the introduction of colour television, the jumper has remained the same.

The Melbourne clash strip, new in 2018, consists of a retro-inspired home strip of royal blue with a red yoke, including white shorts as worn between 1975 and 1986. The alternate away strip is the same as the home strip, with the difference being the back entirely in red to allow the club to wear a non-white alternate strip.

New Balance have manufactured Melbourne's on- and off-field apparel since 2011.[38]

#### Uniform evolution

[edit]

Throughout its history, Melbourne has had different guernsey designs, as follows:[39]

1858–61 & 1863–71

1861–62

1872–83

1884–1915

1905–15

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1919–24

1925–34

1935–74

1975–86

1987–present

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### Mascot

[edit]

Ronald Deeman – Melbourne Football Club's mascot, pictured at Melbourne's home ground, the MCG.

In 1933, Melbourne was beginning to rebuild its side and abandoned the name 'Fuchsias' for a more ferocious title—the 'Demons'. This was inspired by then coach Frank "Checker" Hughes reportedly saying to the players in a game to 'lift up your heads and play like demons!'.[18] Over the years, the club has used various iterations of demons as club mascots. This includes Ronald Deeman from the AFL Mascot Manor franchise.[40]

Checker and Daisy in February 2017

The current club mascots are Chuck, Checker, and Cheeky. Chuck is named after legendary coach Frank "Checker" Hughes; Daisy is named after the inaugural captain of the women's team, Daisy Pearce;[41] and Flash is named after the 2009 Keith "Bluey" Truscott Medallist, Aaron Davey.[42]

### Song

[edit]

The official Melbourne Football Club song is called "It's a Grand Old Flag" (sung to the tune of George M. Cohan's 1906 song "You're a Grand Old Flag"). The song was first adopted by the club in 1912. The Demons primarily repeat the first verse of the song.

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 the Blue.

Every heart beats true for the Red and the Blue,

And we sing this song to you:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the Red and the Blue.

A second verse was reputedly written by club champion Keith "Bluey" Truscott in 1940, referencing the club's 1939 and 1926 VFL premiership titles. The club resurrected the original second verse for the 2011 season.[43]

Oh, the team played fine in the year Thirty-nine,

We’re the Demons that no one can lick;

And you'll find us there at the final bell,

With the spirit of Twenty-six.

Every heart beats true, for the Red and the Blue,

And we sing this song to you:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the Red and the Blue.

### Sponsorship

[edit]

Year | Kit Manufacturer | Major Sponsor | Shorts Sponsor | Bottom Back Sponsor | Top Back Sponsor

|
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1978–83 | - | Mayne Nickless | - | - | \-
1984 | Hertz
1985–91 | Drake International
1992 | Snowy Mountain
1993 | Pioneer Homes
1994 | Tooheys Blue Demons | Blue | Tooheys
1995–97 | Tooheys | Metway Bank
1998 | Canterbury | LG | Tooheys Victoria | LG Electronics
1999 | Hahn
2000 | Fila
2001–02 | Tooheys New
2003 | Asics | Subway
2004 | iPrimus | Primus Telecom
2005–06 | Primus Telecom | Red Energy
2007 | The Age
2008 | Reebok
2009 | Hankook | Kaspersky Lab
2010 | Volvo
2011 | New Balance | Metro Solar
2012 | Webjet | Opel
2013 | \-
2014–16 | AHG | NT | AHG
2017 | IG | iSelect
2018 | Zurich
2019 | Johnnie Walker | Jaguar Cars
2020 | Hertz | Zurich
2021– | Beyond Bank Australia

## Home and training grounds

[edit]

Melbourne Cricket Ground, the club's home venue for AFL matches Players training at Goschs Paddock, the club's main training ground in 2017

Melbourne's home ground has been the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) since 1889. From that time to 1980, the team was part of the Melbourne Cricket Club's sporting sections. The MCC operates and partially owns the MCG. The two clubs severed ties in 1980, though restored the relationship in 2009.[44][45] The club trained on the MCG until 1985, at which point they shifted to the Junction Oval in St Kilda, which served as the club's training base from 1986 until 2010.[46][47] In 2009, the Demons first moved their training facilities from the Junction Oval to Casey Fields.[48][49] Currently, the Demons' football offices and indoor training facilities are based at AAMI Park, where they moved in late 2010, and its administrative offices located within the MCG.[50] The club trains on the adjacent Gosch's Paddock public oval. The oval was upgraded in the 2021/22 off-season to increase the dimensions to better match the measurements of the MCG and Docklands Stadium.[51][52][53] Redevelopment of Goschs Paddock oval commenced on 5 December 2021.[54] Given AAMI Park is co-tenanted with three other professional sporting clubs, Melbourne have often investigated moving to a dedicated club-specific facility.[55] In August 2021 it was reported the club was considering moving all its football and administrative offices, and indoor training facilities, to the land where Car Park E next to AAMI Park is located.[50] In December 2023, the club commenced a feasibility study of land within the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.[56][57][58]

Aside from the MCG, Melbourne also plays home games in the Northern Territory: from 2010 to 2019, Melbourne played one home game per year at Marrara Oval, and have played one home game per year at Traeger Park since 2014.

Melbourne maintains a presence at Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, the home ground of its AFLW team and VFL/VFLW affiliate the Casey Demons. It based its AFL training program at the venue for the duration of the 2021 season, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[59] The club trains at Casey regularly during the summer and once every one or two weeks during the football season.[58]

## Membership base and supporters

[edit]

Melbourne has improved their membership and attendances steadily since the failed Hawthorn merger in 1996, building a membership base of over 30,000 since 2009. The membership record of 36,937 was set in 2011 before it was broken in April 2016 to finish with 39,211 for the 2016 season, this record was broken the next year in April 2017. In May 2017, Melbourne signed up 40,000 members for the first time. In May 2019, Melbourne signed up 50,000 members for the first time. A 2000 Roy Morgan AFL survey suggested that Melbourne supporters had the highest household income.[60]

Year | Members | Finishing position including finals position

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1984 | 6,297 | 9th
1985 | 5,801 | 11th
1986 | 4,511 | 11th
1987 | 3,122 | 3rd
1988 | 10,078 | 2nd
1989 | 8,184 | 4th
1990 | 10,111 | 4th
1991 | 10,153 | 4th
1992 | 8,681 | 11th
1993 | 10,097 | 10th
1994 | 10,648 | 4th
1995 | 9,544 | 9th
1996 | 12,964 | 14th
1997 | 15,350 | 16th
1998 | 17,870 | 4th
1999 | 19,713 | 14th
2000 | 18,227 | 2nd
2001 | 22,940 | 11th
2002 | 20,152 | 6th
2003 | 20,844 | 14th
2004 | 25,252 | 7th
2005 | 24,220 | 8th
2006 | 24,698 | 5th
2007 | 28,077 | 14th
2008 | 29,619 | 16th
2009 | 31,506 | 16th
2010 | 33,358 | 12th
2011 | 36,937 | 13th
2012 | 35,345 | 16th
2013 | 33,177 | 17th
2014 | 35,911 | 17th
2015 | 35,953 | 13th
2016 | 39,211 | 11th
2017 | 42,233 | 9th
2018 | 44,279 | 4th
2019 | 52,421 | 17th
2020 | 40,571 | 9th
2021 | 53,188 | 1st
2022 | 66,484 | 5th
2023 | 70,785 | 6th
2024 | 65,479 | 14th

### Notable supporters

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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* Sir Henry Bolte (Premier of Victoria)
* Rupert Murdoch (businessman)
* John So (Lord Mayor of Melbourne)[61]
* Anthony Mundine (Boxer and Rugby League player)[61]
* Sir Billy Snedden (Politician)[62]
* Baz Lurhman (Film Director)[61]
* Rod Laver (Tennis player)[63]
* Don Lane (Television personality)
* Derryn Hinch (Radio Presenter)
* Neil Mitchell (Radio Presenter)
* Russel Howcroft (Businessman and Radio Presenter)
* Ron Walker (Businessman)
* Rod Carnegie (Businessman)
* Robert Champion de Crespigny (Businessman)
* Hamish Blake (Comedian)
* Ryan Shelton (Comedian)
* Rhea Ripley (Professional wrestler)
* Rob Sitch (Comedian)
* Christian O'Connell (radio presenter)
* Ella Hooper (musician)
* Wilbur Wilde (Musician)
* Jim Keays (Musician)
* Nazeem Hussain (Comedian)[64]
* Shane Bourne (Comedian)
* Ian Henderson (newsreader)
* Mal Walden (Newsreader)
* Temper Trap (Music group)
* David Hobson (Singer)
* Peter Russell-Clarke (chef, author and illustrator)
* Alan Stockdale (Politician)
* Tony Staley (Politician)
* Brad Hodge (Australian cricketer)
* Steve Moneghetti (marathon runner)
* Titus O'Reily (Comedian)
* Beverley O'Connor (television and radio personality)
* James Tomkins (Olympic Rower)
* Mack Horton (Olympic Swimmer)
* Nicky Buckley (television personality)
* Geoff Cox (television presenter)
* Rob Gell (television weatherman)
* Greg Evans (television host)
* Mike Sheahan (sports writer)
* Michael Veitch (comedian and writer)
* Tim Wilson (Politician)
* Clint Stanaway (Channel 9 news reporter)
* Archie Thompson (Soccer player)
* Andrew Daddo (Television presenter)
* Matt Doran (Journalist)
* James Frecheville (Actor)
* Adam Samuel (Radio personality)
* Christian Welch (NRL player)
* Broden Kelly (Comedian, Actor, Recording Artist, Dancer, Director, Producer, Podcaster and all-round nice guy)[65][66]

## Club honours

[edit]

### Club achievements

[edit]

Premierships

Competition  | Level  | Wins  | Years Won
Australian Football League | Seniors | 13 | 1900, 1926, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964, 2021
Reserves (1919–1999) | 12 | 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1939, 1949, 1956, 1969, 1970, 1984, 1993
Under 19s (1946–1991) | 6 | 1947, 1953, 1964, 1971, 1981, 1983
AFL Women's | Seniors | 1 | 2022 (S7)
Victorian Football Association | Seniors (1877–1896) | Nil | \-
Victorian Premiership | Seniors (1870–1876) | 3 | 1870, 1872, 1876
Other titles and honours
McClelland Trophy | Various[a] | 6 | 1955, 1956, 1958, 1990, 2021, 2023
AFLX Tournament | Seniors | 1 | 2018
VFL/AFL pre-season competition | Seniors | 1 | 1989
VFL Night Series | Seniors | 2 | 1971, 1987
Lightning Premiership | Seniors | 1 | 1952
Finishing positions
Australian Football League | Minor premiership | 10 | 1939, 1940, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1964, 2021
Grand Finalist | 5 | 1946, 1954, 1958, 1988, 2000
Wooden spoons | 12 | 1905, 1906, 1919, 1923, 1951, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1981, 1997, 2008, 2009
AFL Women's | Minor premiership | Nil | \-
Grand Finalist | 1 | 2022 (S6)
Wooden spoons | Nil | \-

### Melbourne Team of the Century

[edit]

The Melbourne Football Club Team of the Century was announced on 24 June 2000 at Crown Casino. The selectors were Percy Beames (former player and journalist), Lynda Carroll (club historian), Bill Guest (MFC Director), Greg Hobbs (journalist), John Mitchell (former MFC and MCC President), Linda Pearce (journalist), Dudley Phillips (supporter), Stephen Phillips (media consultant) and Mike Sheahan (journalist), with CEO John Anderson as non-voting chairman.[67]

Melbourne Team of the Century

B: | John Beckwith | Tassie Johnson | Don Cordner
HB: | Noel McMahen | Gary Hardeman | Don Williams
C: | Brian Dixon | Allan La Fontaine | Robert Flower
HF: | Hassa Mann | Ivor Warne-Smith | Garry Lyon
F: | Jack Mueller | Norm Smith | Percy Beames

Foll: | Denis Cordner | Ron Barassi (Captain)  | Stuart Spencer

Int: | Frank Adams | Albert Chadwick | Wally Lock
Laurie Mithen | Jim Stynes | Todd Viney

Coach: | Norm Smith

Stan Alves, Ian Ridley, Bob Johnson and Greg Wells were all named as emergencies.

### Hall of Fame

[edit]

The Hall of Fame was introduced in 2001 with Norm Smith inducted directly as a legend. The Hall of Fame consists of five legends and forty-four inductees.

Melbourne Football Club

Hall of Fame
Legends |

Ron Barassi

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Don Cordner

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Jack Mueller

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Ian Ridley

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Norm Smith

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Inductees

Frank Adams
Sam Allica
Stan Alves
Ron Baggott
Percy Beames
John Beckwith
Joe Blair
Barry Bourke
Jim Cardwell

|  |

Geoff Case
Albert Chadwick
Denis Cordner
Brian Dixon
Robert Flower
Maurie Gibb
Gary Hardeman
H.C.A. Harrison
Greg Healy

|  |

Frank Hughes
Alan Johnson
Bob Johnson
Tassie Johnson
Allan La Fontaine
Clyde Laidlaw
Wally Lock
Brett Lovett
Garry Lyon

|  |

Hassa Mann
William McClelland
Fred McGinis
Shane McGrath
Noel McMahen
Laurie Mithen
Jack Mueller
David Neitz
Percy Page

|  |

Dudley Phillips
Stuart Spencer
Jim Stynes
Todd Viney
Greg Wells
Sean Wight
Don Williams
Tom Wills

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Players listed in bold are inductees in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Players listed in bold and italics are legends in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

### "150 Heroes"

[edit]

Melbourne FC announced its "150 Heroes" to celebrate its 150th anniversary at Crown Casino on 7 June 2008. Each player, or their closest relative, was 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:

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, Maurie 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

## Match records

[edit]

* Highest score: 182 points[68]
Round 21, 1986 (MCG) – Melbourne 28.14 (182) vs North Melbourne 14.13 (97)
Round 5, 1991 (MCG) – Melbourne 28.14 (182) vs North Melbourne 17.10 (112)
* Lowest score: 2 points[68]
Round 16, 1899 (Brunswick Street Oval) – Melbourne 0.2 (2) vs Fitzroy 5.10 (40)
* Highest score conceded: 238 points[68]
Round 17, 1979 (Waverley Park) – Melbourne 6.12 (48) vs Fitzroy 36.22 (238)
* Lowest score conceded: 8 points[68]
Round 7, 1903 (MCG) – Melbourne 4.8 (32) vs Carlton 1.2 (8)
* Biggest winning margin: 141 points[68]
Round 9, 1926 (MCG) – Melbourne 21.28 (154) vs Hawthorn 1.7 (13)
* Biggest losing margin: 190 points[68]
Round 17, 1979 (Waverley Park) – Melbourne 6.12 (48) vs Fitzroy 36.22 (238)
* Highest losing score: 151 points[68]
Round 10, 1940 (MCG) – Melbourne 22.19 (151) vs Essendon 24.10 (154)
* Lowest winning score: 28 points[68]
Round 9, 1908 (MCG) 1897 – Melbourne 4.4 (28) vs Fitzroy 3.7 (25)
Round 15, 1909 (MCG) – Melbourne 4.4 (28) vs University 2.15 (27)
* Longest winning streak: 19 games[69]
Round 15, 1955 vs North Melbourne (MCG) to round 13, 1956 vs Carlton (MCG)
* Longest losing streak: 20 games[69]
Round 4, 1981 vs St Kilda (MCG) to round 1, 1982 vs Sydney (SCG)
* Record attendance (home and away game): 99,346[70]
Round 10, 1958 (MCG) vs Collingwood
* Record attendance (finals match): 115,802[70]
Grand Final, 1956 (MCG) vs Collingwood
* Most goals in a match by an individual: 18 goals[71]
Fred Fanning – round 19, 1947 (Junction Oval) vs St Kilda
* Most disposals in a match by an individual, since 1965: 48 disposals[72]
Greg Wells – round 13, 1980 (MCG) vs Fitzroy

## Current squad

[edit]

Melbourne Football Club

* view
* talk
* edit

Senior list  | Rookie list  | Coaching staff

|
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* 1  Steven May
* 2  Jacob van Rooyen
* 3  Christian Salem
* 4  Judd McVee
* 5  Christian Petracca
* 6  Caleb Windsor
* 7  Jack Viney (vc)
* 8  Jake Lever
* 9  Charlie Spargo
* 10  Daniel Turner
* 11  Max Gawn (c)
* 12  Koltyn Tholstrup
* 13  Clayton Oliver
* 14  Jack Billings
* 15  Ed Langdon
* 16  Bailey Laurie
* 17  Jake Bowey
* 18  Jake Melksham

|  |

* 19  Harvey Langford
* 20  Xavier Lindsay
* 21  Matthew Jefferson
* 22  Blake Howes
* 23  Shane McAdam
* 24  Trent Rivers
* 25  Tom McDonald
* 26  Jed Adams
* 29  Tom Campbell
* 30  Harry Sharp
* 31  Bayley Fritsch
* 32  Tom Sparrow
* 33  Tom Fullarton
* 35  Harrison Petty
* 36  Kysaiah Pickett
* 37  Kade Chandler
* 40  Taj Woewodin
* 42  Aidan Johnson

|  |  |  |

* 27  Marty Hore
* 28  Will Verrall
* 38  Oliver Sestan
* 39  Ricky Mentha Jr. (B)
* 41  Kynan Brown
* 43  Jack Henderson
* 44  Luker Kentfield
* 45  Andy Moniz-Wakefield
* 46  Jai Culley

|  |

Assistant coaches

* Alan Richardson  (Head of Football)

* Nathan Jones (Mids)

* Sam Bradford (Mids)

* Nathan Bassett (Backs)

* Troy Chaplin (Forwards)

* Mark Williams (Head of Development)

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)
* (B) Category B rookie

* italics \- Inactive player list

* Long-term injury

* (ret.) Retired

* * *

Updated: 11 August 2025
Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff

## Honour board

[edit]

The honour board is listed from the first VFL/AFL season and includes the following individual awards:

* Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal – awarded to the Melbourne Football Club's best and fairest player. Named after Keith Truscott who died in World War II.
* Leading goalkicker award – awarded to the player who kicks the most goals during the season.
* Harold Ball Memorial Trophy – awarded to the best first-year player between 1933 and 2011, and to the best young player from 2012 onward. Named in honour of Harold Ball who died in World War II and won the award in 1939.

Legend:
^ Premiers,  * Grand finalist,  † Finals,  ‡ Wooden spoon
Bold italics: competition leading goal kicker

Season | Position | President | Secretary/general
manager/CEO | Coach | Captain(s) | Best and fairest | Leading goalkicker (total) | Harold Ball Memorial Trophy2

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1897 | 4th† | H. C. A. Harrison | R. C. McLeod |  | Ned Sutton |  | Jack Leith (22) |
1898 | 6th | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | Ned Sutton |  | Charlie Young (21) |
1899 | 6th | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | Eddie Sholl |  | Jack Leith (21) |
1900 | 1st^ | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | Dick Wardill |  | Tommy Ryan (24) |
1901 | 5th | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | William C. McClelland |  | Frank Langley (17) |
1902 | 4th† | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | William C. McClelland |  | Jack Leith (26) |
1903 | 7th | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | William C. McClelland |  | Vince Coutie (19) |
1904 | 6th | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | William C. McClelland |  | Vince Coutie (39) |
1905 | 8th‡ | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | Frank Langley |  | Harry Cordner (16) |
1906 | 8th‡ | H. C. A. Harrison | Amos Norcott |  | Arthur Sowden |  | Basil Onyons (16) |
1907 | 7th | T. F. Morkham | George Beachcroft | Alex Hall | Vince Coutie |  | Jack Leith (21) |
1908 | 8th | T. F. Morkham | Amos Norcott | Alex Hall | Hugh Purse |  | Vince Coutie (37) |
1909 | 5th | T. F. Morkham | J. A. Harper | Alex Hall | Bernie Nolan |  | Harry Brereton (34) |
1910 | 9th | T. F. Morkham | G. W. Lamb | Eddie Drohan | Vince Coutie |  | Stan Fairbairn (24) |
1911 | 7th | A. A. Aitken | G. W. Lamb | Alex Hall | Vince Coutie |  | Harry Brereton (46) |
1912 | 6th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Alex Hall | Alf George |  | Harry Brereton (56) |
1913 | 9th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Alex Hall | Alf George |  | Mick Maguire (13) |
1914 | 9th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Len Incigneri[73][74] | Len Incigneri |  | Arthur Best (30) |
1915 | 4th† | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Jack McKenzie | Jack McKenzie |  | Roy Park (35) |
1916–19183 | — | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | George Heinz | George Heinz |  |  |
1919 | 9th‡ | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | George Heinz | George Heinz |  | George Heinz (15) |
1920 | 8th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Gerald Brosnan | George Heinz |  | Harry Harker (23) |
1921 | 6th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Percy Wilson | Percy Wilson |  | Harry Harker (47) |
1922 | 6th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Percy Wilson | Percy Wilson |  | Harry Harker (47) |
1923 | 9th‡ | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Percy Wilson | Percy Wilson |  | Percy Tulloh (31) |
1924 | 8th | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Gordon Rattray | Albert Chadwick |  | Percy Tulloh (24) |
1925 | 3rd† | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Albert Chadwick | Albert Chadwick |  | Harry Davie (56) |
1926 | 1st^ | William C. McClelland | Andrew Manzie | Albert Chadwick | Albert Chadwick |  | Harry Moyes (55) |
1927 | 5th | Vernon Ransford | Andrew Manzie | Albert Chadwick | Albert Chadwick |  | Harry Davie (40) |
1928 | 3rd† | Vernon Ransford | Andrew Manzie | Ivor Warne-Smith | Ivor Warne-Smith |  | Bob Johnson (55) |
1929 | 5th | Joe Blair | Andrew Manzie | Ivor Warne-Smith | Ivor Warne-Smith |  | Dick Taylor (30) |
1930 | 5th | Joe Blair | Andrew Manzie | Ivor Warne-Smith | Ivor Warne-Smith |  | George Margitich (73) |
1931 | 8th | Joe Blair | Andrew Manzie | Ivor Warne-Smith | Ivor Warne-Smith |  | George Margitich (66) |
1932 | 9th | Joe Blair | Charlie Streeter | Ivor Warne-Smith | Francis Vine |  | George Margitich (60) |
1933 | 10th | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Francis Vine |  | Bob Johnson (62) | Les Jones
1934 | 6th | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Colin Niven |  | Jack Mueller (52) | Allan La Fontaine
1935 | 6th | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Colin Niven | Allan La Fontaine | Maurie Gibb (59) | Ray Wartman
1936 | 3rd† | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Allan La Fontaine | Allan La Fontaine | Eric Glass (56) |
1937 | 3rd† | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Allan La Fontaine | Jack Mueller | Ron Baggott (51) |
1938 | 5th | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Allan La Fontaine | Norm Smith | Norm Smith (80) | Dick Hingston
1939 | 1st^ | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Allan La Fontaine | Jack Mueller | Norm Smith (54) | Harold Ball
1940 | 1st^ | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Allan La Fontaine | Ron Baggott | Norm Smith (86) | Col McLean
1941 | 1st^ | Joe Blair | Percy Page | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Allan La Fontaine | Allan La Fontaine | Norm Smith (89) | Ted Cordner
1942 | 8th | Joe Blair | Jack Chessell | Percy Beames | Percy Beames | Allan La Fontaine | Fred Fanning (37) |
1943 | 7th | Joe Blair | Jack Chessell | Percy Beames | Percy Beames | Don Cordner | Fred Fanning (62) |
1944 | 8th | Joe Blair | Jack Chessell | Percy Beames | Percy Beames | Norm Smith | Fred Fanning (87) | Es Downey
1945 | 9th | Joe Blair | Jack Chessell | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Norm Smith | Fred Fanning | Fred Fanning (67) |
1946 | 2nd* | Joe Blair | Jack Chessell | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Norm Smith | Jack Mueller | Jack Mueller (58) | Len Dockett
1947 | 6th | William Flintoft | Jack Chessell | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Norm Smith | Wally Lock | Fred Fanning (97) | Eddie Jackson
1948 | 1st^ | William Flintoft | Alex Gray | Frank 'Checker' Hughes | Don Cordner | Alby Rodda | Lance Arnold (41) |
1949 | 5th | William Flintoft | Alex Gray | Allan La Fontaine | Don Cordner | Len Dockett | Bob McKenzie (40) | Mike Woods
1950 | 4th† | Albert Chadwick | A. S. Thompson | Allan La Fontaine | Shane McGrath | Denis Cordner | Denis Cordner (36) |
1951 | 12th‡ | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Allan La Fontaine | Denis Cordner | Noel McMahen | Bob McKenzie (40) | John Beckwith
1952 | 6th | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Denis Cordner | Geoff McGivern | Noel Clarke (49) |
1953 | 11th | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Denis Cordner | Ken Melville | Bob McKenzie (38) | Ken Melville
1954 | 2nd* | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Geoff Collins | Denis Cordner | Noel Clarke (51) | Bob Johnson
1955 | 1st^ | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Noel McMahen | Stuart Spencer | Stuart Spencer (34) | Trevor Johnson
1956 | 1st^ | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Noel McMahen | Stuart Spencer | Bob Johnson (43) | Jim Sandral
1957 | 1st^ | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | John Beckwith | John Beckwith | Athol Webb (56) | Geoff Tunbridge
1958 | 2nd* | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | John Beckwith | Laurie Mithen | Ron Barassi (44),
Athol Webb (44) | Alan Rowarth
1959 | 1st^ | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | John Beckwith | Laurie Mithen | Ron Barassi (46) | Hassa Mann
1960 | 1st^ | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Ron Barassi | Brian Dixon | Ian Ridley (38) | Ray Nilsson
1961 | 3rd† | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Ron Barassi | Ron Barassi | Bob Johnson (36) | Brian Roet
1962 | 4th† | Albert Chadwick | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Ron Barassi | Hassa Mann | Laurie Mithen (37) | John Townsend
1963 | 3rd† | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Ron Barassi | Hassa Mann | Barry Bourke (48) | Barry Bourke
1964 | 1st^ | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Ron Barassi | Ron Barassi | John Townsend (35) | Graeme Jacobs
1965 | 7th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Hassa Mann | John Townsend | John Townsend (34) |
1966 | 11th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Hassa Mann | Terry Leahy | Barrie Vagg (20) | Terry Leahy
1967 | 7th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Norm Smith | Hassa Mann | Hassa Mann | Hassa Mann (38) |
1968 | 8th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | John Beckwith | Hassa Mann | Ray Groom | Hassa Mann (29) | Greg Parke
1969 | 12th‡ | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | John Beckwith | Hassa Mann | John Townsend | Ross Dillon (48) | Paul Rowlands
1970 | 10th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | John Beckwith | Tassie Johnson | Frank Davis | Ross Dillon (41) | Graham Molloy
1971 | 7th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Ian Ridley | Frank Davis | Greg Wells | Paul Callery (38) |
1972 | 8th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Ian Ridley | Frank Davis | Stan Alves | Greg Parke (63) | Ross Brewer
1973 | 10th | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Ian Ridley | Stan Alves | Carl Ditterich | Ross Brewer (32) | Robert Flower
1974 | 12th‡ | Donald Duffy | Jim Cardwell | Bob Skilton | Stan Alves | Stan Alves | Ross Brewer (40) | Garry Baker
1975 | 10th | John Mitchell | Jim Cardwell | Bob Skilton | Stan Alves | Laurie Fowler | Greg Wells (32) | Marty Lyons
1976 | 6th | John Mitchell | Ivan Moore | Bob Skilton | Stan Alves | Greg Wells | Ray Biffin (47) | Peter O'Keefe
1977 | 11th | John Mitchell | Ray Manley | Bob Skilton | Greg Wells | Robert Flower | Ross Brewer (26) | Tom Flower
1978 | 12th‡ | John Mitchell | Ray Manley | Dennis Jones | Greg Wells | Garry Baker | Henry Coles (33) | Peter Thorne
1979 | 11th | Wayne Reid | Ray Manley | Carl Ditterich | Carl Ditterich | Laurie Fowler | Robert Flower (33) | Peter Giles
1980 | 9th | Wayne Reid | Richard Seddon | Carl Ditterich | Carl Ditterich | Laurie Fowler | Brent Crosswell (31) | Stephen Bickford
1981 | 12th‡ | Billy Snedden | Richard Seddon | Ron Barassi | Robert Flower | Steven Smith | Mark Jackson (76) | Mark Jackson
1982 | 8th | Billy Snedden | Richard Seddon | Ron Barassi | Robert Flower | Steven Icke | Gerard Healy (77) | Adrian Battiston
1983 | 8th | Billy Snedden | Richard Seddon | Ron Barassi | Robert Flower | Alan Johnson | Robert Flower (40) | Russell Richards
1984 | 9th | Billy Snedden | Richard Seddon | Ron Barassi | Robert Flower | Gerard Healy | Kelvin Templeton (51) | Graeme Yeats
1985 | 11th | Billy Snedden | Ray Manley | Ron Barassi | Robert Flower | Danny Hughes | Brian Wilson (40) | Rod Grinter
1986 | 11th | Billy Snedden,6
Stuart Spencer | Ray Manley | John Northey | Robert Flower | Greg Healy | Greg Healy (35) | Garry Lyon
1987 | 3rd† | Stuart Spencer | Tony King | John Northey | Robert Flower | Steven Stretch | Robert Flower (47) | Steven O'Dwyer
1988 | 2nd* | Stuart Spencer | Tony King | John Northey | Greg Healy | Steven O'Dwyer | Ricky Jackson (43) | Andy Lovell
1989 | 4th† | Stuart Spencer | Tony King | John Northey | Greg Healy | Alan Johnson | Darren Bennett (34) | Luke Beveridge
1990 | 4th† | Stuart Spencer | Tony King | John Northey | Greg Healy | Garry Lyon | Darren Bennett (87) | Rod Keogh
1991 | 4th† | Stuart Spencer,7
Ian Ridley | Tony King | John Northey | Garry Lyon | Jim Stynes | Allen Jakovich (71) | Allen Jakovich
1992 | 11th | Ian Ridley | Tony King7,
Hassa Mann | John Northey | Garry Lyon | Glenn Lovett | Allen Jakovich (40) | Chris Sullivan
1993 | 10th | Ian Ridley | Hassa Mann | Neil Balme | Garry Lyon | Todd Viney | Allen Jakovich (39) | David Neitz
1994 | 4th† | Ian Ridley | Hassa Mann | Neil Balme | Garry Lyon | Garry Lyon | Garry Lyon (79) | Paul Prymke
1995 | 9th | Ian Ridley | Hassa Mann | Neil Balme | Garry Lyon | Jim Stynes | Garry Lyon (77) | Adem Yze
1996 | 14th | Ian Ridley,7
Joseph Gutnick | Hassa Mann | Neil Balme | Garry Lyon | Jim Stynes | David Neitz (56) | Darren O'Brien
1997 | 16th‡ | Joseph Gutnick | Hassa Mann,7
Cameron Schwab | Neil Balme,4
Greg Hutchison5 | Garry Lyon | Jim Stynes | David Neitz (30),
Jeff Farmer (30) | Anthony McDonald
1998 | 4th† | Joseph Gutnick | Cameron Schwab | Neale Daniher | Todd Viney | Todd Viney | Jeff Farmer (47) | Guy Rigoni
1999 | 14th | Joseph Gutnick | Cameron Schwab,7
John Anderson | Neale Daniher | Todd Viney | David Schwarz | David Neitz (46) | Peter Walsh
2000 | 2nd* | Joseph Gutnick | John Anderson | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | Shane Woewodin | Jeff Farmer (76) | Matthew Whelan
2001 | 11th | Joseph Gutnick,7
Gabriel Szondy | John Anderson | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | Adem Yze | Russell Robertson (42) | Scott Thompson
2002 | 6th† | Gabriel Szondy | John Anderson | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | David Neitz | David Neitz (82) | Steven Armstrong
2003 | 14th | Gabriel Szondy,7
Paul Gardner | Ray Ellis | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | Russell Robertson | David Neitz (65) | Ryan Ferguson
2004 | 7th† | Paul Gardner | Steve Harris | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | Jeff White | David Neitz (69) | Aaron Davey
2005 | 8th† | Paul Gardner | Steve Harris | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | Travis Johnstone | Russell Robertson (73) | Chris Johnson
2006 | 5th† | Paul Gardner | Steve Harris | Neale Daniher | David Neitz | James McDonald | David Neitz (68) | Clint Bartram
2007 | 14th | Paul Gardner | Steve Harris | Neale Daniher,6
Mark Riley5 | David Neitz | James McDonald | Russell Robertson (42) | Ricky Petterd
2008 | 16th‡ | Paul Gardner,7
Jim Stynes | Paul McNamee4
Cameron Schwab | Dean Bailey | David Neitz | Cameron Bruce | Brad Miller (26) | Cale Morton
2009 | 16th‡ | Jim Stynes | Cameron Schwab | Dean Bailey | James McDonald | Aaron Davey | Russell Robertson (29) | Liam Jurrah
2010 | 12th | Jim Stynes | Cameron Schwab | Dean Bailey | James McDonald | Brad Green | Brad Green (55) | Tom Scully
2011 | 13th | Jim Stynes | Cameron Schwab | Dean Bailey,4
Todd Viney5 | Brad Green | Brent Moloney | Liam Jurrah (40) | Jeremy Howe
2012 | 16th | Jim Stynes,7
Don McLardy | Cameron Schwab | Mark Neeld | Jack Grimes,
Jack Trengove | Nathan Jones | Mitch Clark (29) | Tom McDonald
2013 | 17th | Don McLardy,7
Glen Bartlett | Cameron Schwab,7
Peter Jackson | Mark Neeld4
Neil Craig5 | Jack Grimes,
Jack Trengove | Nathan Jones | Jeremy Howe (28) | Jack Viney
2014 | 17th | Glen Bartlett | Peter Jackson | Paul Roos | Jack Grimes,
Nathan Jones | Nathan Jones | Chris Dawes (20) | Dom Tyson
2015 | 13th | Glen Bartlett | Peter Jackson | Paul Roos | Nathan Jones | Bernie Vince | Jesse Hogan (44) | Jesse Hogan
2016 | 11th | Glen Bartlett | Peter Jackson | Paul Roos | Nathan Jones | Jack Viney | Jesse Hogan (41) | Jayden Hunt
2017 | 9th | Glen Bartlett | Peter Jackson | Simon Goodwin | Nathan Jones
Jack Viney | Clayton Oliver | Jeff Garlett (42) | Clayton Oliver
2018 | 4th† | Glen Bartlett | Peter Jackson | Simon Goodwin | Nathan Jones
Jack Viney | Max Gawn | Tom McDonald (53) | Bayley Fritsch
2019 | 17th | Glen Bartlett | Gary Pert | Simon Goodwin | Nathan Jones
Jack Viney | Max Gawn
Clayton Oliver | Christian Petracca (22) | Harrison Petty
2020  | 9th  | Glen Bartlett | Gary Pert | Simon Goodwin | Max Gawn | Christian Petracca | Bayley Fritsch (22)  | Luke Jackson
2021  | 1st^  | Glen Bartlett,7
Kate Roffey | Gary Pert | Simon Goodwin | Max Gawn | Clayton Oliver | Bayley Fritsch (59)  | Kysaiah Pickett
2022  | 5th†  | Kate Roffey | Gary Pert | Simon Goodwin | Max Gawn | Clayton Oliver | Bayley Fritsch (55)  | Jake Bowey
2023  | 6th†  | Kate Roffey | Gary Pert | Simon Goodwin | Max Gawn | Christian Petracca | Bayley Fritsch (38)  | Judd McVee
Jacob van Rooyen
2024  | 14th  | Kate Roffey | Gary Pert | Simon Goodwin | Max Gawn | Jack Viney | Bayley Fritsch (41)  | Caleb Windsor

## Individual awards

[edit]

### Best and Fairest

[edit]

See Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal

### Norm Smith Medal winners

[edit]

Main article: Norm Smith Medal

* Christian Petracca (2021)

### Brownlow Medal winners

[edit]

Main article: Brownlow Medal

* Ivor Warne-Smith (1926, 1928)
* Don Cordner (1946)
* Brian Wilson (1982)
* Peter Moore (1984)
* Jim Stynes (1991)
* Shane Woewodin (2000)

### Leigh Matthews Trophy

[edit]

Main article: Leigh Matthews Trophy

* Jim Stynes (1991)

### VFL Leading Goalkicker Medal winners (1897–1954)

[edit]

* Jack Leith (1897)
* Vince Coutie (1904)
* Harry Brereton (1911, 1912)
* Fred Fanning (1943, 1944, 1945, 1947)

### Coleman Medal winners (since 1955)

[edit]

Main article: Coleman Medal

* David Neitz (2002)

### AFL Rising Star winners

[edit]

Main article: AFL Rising Star

* Jared Rivers (2004)
* Jesse Hogan (2015)
* Luke Jackson (2021)

### Mark of the Year winners

[edit]

Main article: Mark of the Year

* Shaun Smith (1995) (Mark of the Century)[75]
* Michael Newton (2007)
* Liam Jurrah (2010)
* Jeremy Howe (2012)

### Goal of the Year winners

[edit]

Main article: Goal of the Year (AFL)

* Jeff Farmer (1998)

### All-Australian – AFL (since 1991)

[edit]

Main article: All-Australian team

* Jim Stynes (1991, 1993)
* Garry Lyon (1993, 1994, 1995)
* Stephen Tingay (1994)
* Neil Balme (1994 (Coach))
* David Neitz (1995, 2002)
* Todd Viney (1998)
* Jeff Farmer (2000)
* Adem Yze (2002)
* Jeff White (2004)
* James McDonald (2006)
* James Frawley (2010)
* Mark Jamar (2010)
* Max Gawn (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (Captain), 2022, 2024)
* Michael Hibberd (2017)
* Clayton Oliver (2018, 2021, 2022)
* Christian Petracca (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
* Jake Lever (2021)
* Steven May (2021, 2022)
* Simon Goodwin (2021 (Coach))

### VFL Team of the Year (1982–1990)

[edit]

* Gerard Healy (1982, 1984)
* Robert Flower (1982, 1983, 1984)
* Steven Icke (1982)
* Brian Wilson (1982)
* Peter Moore (1984)
* Steven Stretch (1987)
* Sean Wight (1987)
* Steven O'Dwyer (1988)
* Brett Lovett (1988, 1989, 1990)
* Alan Johnson (1989)
* Garry Lyon (1989, 1990)

### All-Australian players – Interstate Carnivals (1953–1988)

[edit]

* Ron Barassi (1956, 1958, 1961)
* Brian Dixon (1961)
* Hassa Mann (1966)
* Gary Hardeman (1972)
* Robert Flower (1980, 1983)
* Danny Hughes (1988)

### National team representatives (since 1998)

[edit]

Main article: Australia international rules football team

* Jeff Farmer (1998)
* David Neitz (1998, 2002)
* Jim Stynes (1998)
* Todd Viney (1998)
* Shane Woewodin (2000)
* Adem Yze (2000, 2002)
* Cameron Bruce (2002, 2004)
* Clint Bizzell (2003)
* Brad Green (2004, 2010, 2011)
* Aaron Davey (2005, 2006, 2013)
* Brent Moloney (2005)
* Russell Robertson (2005)
* James McDonald (2006)
* James Frawley (2010, 2011)
* Colin Sylvia (2011)
* Jack Trengove (2011)
* Dom Barry (2013)
* Michael Hibberd (2017)
* Neville Jetta (2017)

## AFL Women's team

[edit]

Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce leads her players past the men's side during round 3 of the 2017 AFL Women's season.

In June 2013, the club fielded a women's representative side known as the Chappettes against Western Bulldogs in the first AFL-sanctioned women's exhibition match, held at the MCG. The two teams competed annually over the next three years for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup.[76] In 2016, when the AFL announced plans for AFL Women's, an eight team national women's league competition, Melbourne was asked to submit an application for a licence alongside other AFL clubs. [77] The club was one of four Melbourne-based clubs to be granted a licence that year.[78]

The club's first players were marquee signings Daisy Pearce and Melissa Hickey.[79] The full list was completed later in the year with signings and selections made in the October draft period.

Oakleigh Chargers coach Mick Stinear was appointed the team's inaugural head coach in September 2016.[80]

### Current squad

[edit]

Melbourne Football Club (AFL Women's)

* view
* talk
* edit

Senior list  | Rookie list  | Coaching staff

|
|

* 1  Georgia Campbell
* 2  Olivia Purcell
* 3  Alyssia Pisano
* 4  Paxy Paxman
* 5  Tyla Hanks
* 6  Alyssa Bannan
* 7  Tayla Harris
* 8  Sarah Lampard
* 9  Georgia Gall
* 10  Kate Hore (vc)
* 11  Molly O'Hehir
* 12  Ryleigh Wotherspoon
* 13  Maeve Chaplin
* 14  Amelia Dethridge
* 15  Lauren Pearce
* 16  Grace Beasley

|  |

* 17  Tahlia Gillard
* 18  Denby Taylor
* 19  Laela Ebert
* 20  Maggie Mahony
* 22  Eliza McNamara
* 23  Sinéad Goldrick
* 24  Megan Fitzsimon
* 25  Jacinta Hose
* 28  Saraid Taylor
* 29  Eden Zanker
* 30  Shelley Heath
* 32  Gabrielle Colvin
* 33  Lily Johnson
* 34  Lauren Jatczak
* 43  Jemma Rigoni
* 44  Madison Ibrahim

|  |  |  |

* 21  Aimee Mackin
* 31  Blaithin Mackin

|  |

Head coach

* Mick Stinear

Assistant coaches

* Shae Sloane (forwards/snr assistant/head of development)

* Matt Brewer (defence)

* Vincent Chungue (midfield)

* Jon Stinear (development/runner)

* Dale Amos (coach development)

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)
* italics – Inactive player list

* Long-term injury

* * *

Updated: 11 August 2025
Source(s): Players, coaches

### Season summaries

[edit]

Melbourne AFLW honour roll

Season | Ladder | W–L–D | Finals | Coach | Captain(s) | Best and fairest | Leading goal kicker
2017 | 3rd  | 5–2–0  | DNQ  | Mick Stinear | Daisy Pearce | Daisy Pearce | Alyssa Mifsud (9)
2018 | 3rd  | 4–3–0  | DNQ  | Mick Stinear | Daisy Pearce | Daisy Pearce (2)  | Tegan Cunningham (9)
2019 | 4th ^  | 4–3–0  | DNQ  | Mick Stinear | Elise O'Dea & Shelley Scott | Karen Paxman | Tegan Cunningham (8)
2020 | 4th ^  | 4–2–0  | Semi-final  | Mick Stinear | Daisy Pearce | Shelley Scott | Kate Hore (5)
2021 | 4th  | 7–2–0  | Preliminary final  | Mick Stinear | Daisy Pearce | Tyla Hanks & Karen Paxman (2)  | Kate Hore (12)
2022 (S6) | 2nd | 9–1–0 | Grand final | Mick Stinear | Daisy Pearce | Daisy Pearce (3) | Tayla Harris (18)
2022 (S7) | 2nd | 9–1–0 | Premiers | Mick Stinear | Daisy Pearce | Kate Hore | Kate Hore (17)
2023 | 2nd | 8–2–0 | Semi Final | Mick Stinear | Kate Hore | Tyla Hanks (2) & Kate Hore (2) | Eden Zanker (23)
2024 | 9th | 6–5–0 | DNQ | Mick Stinear | Kate Hore | Kate Hore (3) | Alyssa Bannan (12)

^ Denotes the ladder was split into two conferences. Figure refers to the club's overall finishing position in the home-and-away season.

## See also

[edit]

* Sports portal
* Australia portal

* Casey Demons (Melbourne is in an affiliation with Casey in the Victorian Football League and VFL Women's)
* List of Melbourne Football Club players
* List of Melbourne Football Club seasons
* Melbourne Hawks
* Sport in Victoria
* Sport in Australia

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Between 1951 and 1990 the McClelland Trophy was awarded to the club with the highest-aggregate points across the VFL/AFL seniors premiership, VFL/AFL reserves premiership, and VFL/AFL under 19s premiership. Between 1991 and 2022 it was awarded to the club who finished on top of the AFL premiership ladder, thereby merging it with the minor premiership. Since 2023 it has been awarded to the club with the highest aggregate-points across the AFL and AFL Women's competitions.

1.^ The 2020 AFL season was shortened by five rounds as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2.^ Awarded to the best first year player (1933–2011), then to the best young player (2012–present).
3.^ In recess owing to war.
4.^ Sacked mid-season.
5.^ Caretaker coach.
6.^ Retired mid-season.
7.^ Resigned mid-season.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Current details for ABN 27 005 686 902". ABN Lookup. Australian Business Register. November 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
2. ^ Bell's Life in Victoria, 10 July 1858
3. ^ The Footballer An annual Record of Football in Victoria, 1875
4. ^ 100 Years of Football, The Story of the Melbourne Football Club, 1958
5. ^ Smith v Australian Football League [2012] ATMO 20.
6. ^ "Casey Fields". austadiums.com. Austadiums. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
7. ^ a b "Football," Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle Melbourne, Victoria, Australia". www.oldnews.com. July 31, 1858. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
8. ^ a b "Football" Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, May 21, 1859.
9. ^ "Melbourne Football Club becomes an MCC Sporting Section again". Melbourne Cricket Club. Retrieved 21 February 2012. "...on April 1, 2009, the Melbourne Football Club once again became a Sporting Section of the Melbourne Cricket Club..."
10. ^ "FOOTBALL". Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle. 14 August 1858. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
11. ^ "A NATIVE BURIAL". Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser. 4 October 1858. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
12. ^ "MONDAY, MAY 9, 1859". Argus. 9 May 1859. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
13. ^ "SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1859". Argus. 14 May 1859. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
14. ^ a b "MONDAY, MAY 1[?], 1859. - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) - 16 May 1859". Argus. 16 May 1859. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
15. ^ "MONDAY, MAY 23, 1859". The Argus. Melbourne. 23 May 1859. p. 4. Retrieved 7 May 2011 - via National Library of Australia.
16. ^ "MONDAY, JULY 11, 1859". The Argus. Melbourne. 11 July 1859. p. 4. Retrieved 7 May 2011 - via National Library of Australia.
17. ^ "FOOTBALL.". The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide) (National Library of Australia). 13 August 1877. p. 7. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
18. ^ a b c d e f Carrol, Lynda (1999). The Grand Old Flag. Hardie Grant. p. 41.
19. ^ 'Old Boy', "Football: Notes and Comments", The Argus, (Friday, 16 May 1919), p.8.
20. ^ Wilson, Caroline (8 June 2014). "Melbourne president's plan to turn the Demons into the Yankees". The Age. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
21. ^ "Frank E 'Checker' Hughes". SAHOF.org.au. Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
22. ^ Taylor, Percy, "Melbourne are Proud of their Great War Record", The Australasian, (Saturday, 24 June 1944), p.23.
23. ^ "Companion volume to Grand Finals Volume I—1897-1938" (PDF). Slattery Media Group. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
24. ^ Brodie, Will (1 August 2011). "Demon legends disappointed by coach sacking". The Age. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
25. ^ AAP (18 March 2008). "McNamee named Melbourne CEO". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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27. ^ Stevens, Mark (6 August 2008). "$1.3m raised on Melbourne Demons' most-important night". Herald Sun. News Corp. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
28. ^ "Paul McNamee wanted Jonathan Brown". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
29. ^ "Funding critical for Dees". The Courier Mail. News Corp Australia. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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32. ^ Lienert, Sam (17 September 2011). "Neeld aims to toughen up Demons". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
33. ^ "Carlton midfielder Brock McLean reveals he left Melbourne Demons because the club was tanking". Fox Sports. News Corp. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
34. ^ "Party like it's 1954! Bulldogs stun footy world to book date with Demons: AFL Grand Final guide". Fox Sports. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
35. ^ Laughton, Max (25 September 2021). "A Grand New Flag: Demons end 57 years of AFL agony with 17 minutes of magic". Fox Sports. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
36. ^ "Saturday night lights: Massive TV audience for Perth Grand Final". Australian Football League. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
37. ^ Jack Snape (5 August 2025). "'A massive call': AFL premiership coach Simon Goodwin sacked by Melbourne Demons". The Guardian.
38. ^ "Melbourne extends New Balance partnership". melbournefc.com.au. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
39. ^ VFL Uniforms by season (since 1897) on FootyJumpers.com
40. ^ "Meet Jock, Moz, Bruiser ..." The Age. 12 December 2003. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
41. ^ "Daisy the new female mascot". melbournefc.com.au. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
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43. ^ Carroll, Lynda (11 February 2011). "The second verse returns". MelbourneFC.com.au. Bigpond.
44. ^ "Melbourne Football Club". Melbourne Cricket Club.
45. ^ "MCC logo embedded on MFC jumper". Melbourne Football Club. 11 December 2013.
46. ^ Ashley Browne (7 July 1994). "$500,000 facelift for Junction Oval". The Age. Melbourne. p. 26.
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50. ^ a b Tom Morris (18 August 2021). "Exclusive: Demons hatch plans to FINALLY solve eight-year problem". Fox Sports.
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55. ^ "Golly Gosch: Demons eye site for new home". The Age. 24 July 2019.
56. ^ "Melbourne commences Caulfield feasibility study". Melbourne FC. 12 December 2023.
57. ^ Rachael Dexter (28 February 2024). "What would the Demons' move to Caulfield Racecourse mean for locals?". The Age.
58. ^ a b Peter Ryan. "The $70 million funding gap that could threaten the Demons' dreams". The Age.
59. ^ "Coronavirus protocols: Melbourne move AFL program to Casey". The Age. 2 March 2020.
60. ^ "Essendon Bombers blitz off-field in Victoria but Sydney Swans Australia's Favourite Team". Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
61. ^ a b c Beveridge, Riley (29 January 2016). "Your AFL club's most famous supporters, from Barack Obama to Cam Newton". Fox Sports. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
62. ^ Walsh, Kay; Schedvin, Bernie. "Sir Billy Mackie Snedden (1926–1987)". Snedden, Sir Billy Mackie (1926–1987). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 25 September 2021. `{{cite book}}`: `|website=` ignored (help)
63. ^ "Dee force is strong with this one! Skywalker's shout-out". PerthNow. The Sunday Times (Western Australia). 11 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
64. ^ "Nazeem Is Fired Up For The Grand Final". 10 Play. Network 10. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021. "It's AFL Grand Final weekend and mad Demons supporter Nazeem Hussain is here to give us a completely unbiased look at the big game."
65. ^ "Latest Video | Melbourne Football Club".
66. ^ @thefrontbar7 (19 July 2023). "Dees fans loved every moment of Friday night's thriller, right down to Jake Melksham's match winner. All Dees fans, that is, except @thefootywithbro 😬 #TheFrontBar" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
67. ^ (4 December 2006) "Celebrating the Century" Archived 27 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Melbourne FC. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
68. ^ a b c d e f g h "Melbourne – Game Records". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
69. ^ a b "Streaks – Melbourne". AFL Tables. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
70. ^ a b "Melbourne Attendances". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
71. ^ "Melbourne Goalkicking Records". AFL Tables. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
72. ^ "Melbourne – Season and Game Records (1965–2015)". AFL Tables. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
73. ^ "FOOTBALL". The Argus. Melbourne. 1 May 1914. p. 13. Retrieved 31 July 2011 - via National Library of Australia.
74. ^ VFL Football Record, 2 May 1914 p.15
75. ^ Connolly, Rohan (25 May 2015). "Melbourne Demons Jeremy Howe the greatest 'hanger' of them all". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
76. ^ Twomey, Callum (16 October 2016). "First bounce for women's footy at the MCG". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
77. ^ Lane, Samantha (20 April 2016). "Gold Coast latest out, but AFL awaits 16 women's team bids". The Age. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
78. ^ Chalkley-Rhoden, Stephanie (11 July 2016). "AFL Women's league: Collingwood, Carlton among eight clubs in new national competition". ABC.com.au. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
79. ^ Matthews, Bruce (27 July 2016). "Sixteen of the best: women's marquees named". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
80. ^ Dinny Navaratnam; Bruce Matthews; Nathan Schmook; Lee Gaskin (15 September 2016). "Women's league coaches revealed: Dees name coach". AFL.com,au. Retrieved 13 November 2016.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melbourne Football Club.

* Official website
* Demon Wiki – Online Encyclopedia of the Melbourne Football Club
* Melbourne Demons results \- Latest scores for Melbourne Football Club

* v
* t
* e

Melbourne Football Club

* Nickname: Demons

* History
* Club honours
* Current squad
* Players
* Coaches
* Captains
* Honour board
* Awards
* Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy
* Daisy Pearce Trophy
* Leading goalkickers

* AFL coach: Simon Goodwin
* AFL captain: Max Gawn

* AFLW coach: Mick Stinear
* AFLW captain: Kate Hore

VFL/AFL home grounds|

* Melbourne Cricket Ground (1897–1941; 1946–)
* Punt Road Oval (1942–45)

AFLW home grounds|

* Casey Fields (2017–)

VFL/AFL premierships (13)|

* 1900
* 1926
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1948
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1959
* 1960
* 1964
* 2021

Runner-up (5)|

* 1946
* 1954
* 1958
* 1988
* 2000

AFLW premierships (1)|

* 2022 (S7)

Runner-up (1)|

* 2022 (S6)

Seasons (150)
(club articles in bold)|

* 1870
* 1871
* 1872
* 1873
* 1874
* 1875
* 1876
* 1877
* 1878
* 1879
* 1880
* 1881
* 1882
* 1883
* 1884
* 1885
* 1886
* 1887
* 1888
* 1889
* 1890
* 1891
* 1892
* 1893
* 1894
* 1895
* 1896
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Women's seasons (9)|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022 (S6)
* 2022 (S7)
* 2023
* 2024

Related articles|

* 2009 tanking scandal
* Casey Demons
* King's Birthday match
* Melbourne Hawks

Melbourne did not field a team from 1916–1918 due to the First World War

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

VFL/AFL minor premiers

* 1897: Geelong
* 1898: Essendon
* 1899: Fitzroy
* 1900: Fitzroy
* 1901: Geelong
* 1902: Collingwood
* 1903: Collingwood
* 1904: Fitzroy
* 1905: Collingwood
* 1906: Carlton
* 1907: Carlton
* 1908: Carlton
* 1909: South Melbourne
* 1910: Carlton
* 1911: Essendon
* 1912: South Melbourne
* 1913: Fitzroy
* 1914: Carlton
* 1915: Collingwood
* 1916: Carlton
* 1917: Collingwood
* 1918: South Melbourne
* 1919: Collingwood
* 1920: Richmond
* 1921: Carlton
* 1922: Collingwood
* 1923: Essendon
* 1924: Essendon
* 1925: Geelong
* 1926: Collingwood
* 1927: Collingwood
* 1928: Collingwood
* 1929: Collingwood
* 1930: Collingwood
* 1931: Geelong
* 1932: Carlton
* 1933: Richmond
* 1934: Richmond
* 1935: South Melbourne
* 1936: South Melbourne
* 1937: Geelong
* 1938: Carlton
* 1939: Melbourne
* 1940: Melbourne
* 1941: Carlton
* 1942: Essendon
* 1943: Richmond
* 1944: Richmond
* 1945: South Melbourne
* 1946: Essendon
* 1947: Carlton
* 1948: Essendon
* 1949: North Melbourne
* 1950: Essendon
* 1951: Geelong
* 1952: Geelong
* 1953: Geelong
* 1954: Geelong
* 1955: Melbourne
* 1956: Melbourne
* 1957: Melbourne
* 1958: Melbourne
* 1959: Melbourne
* 1960: Melbourne
* 1961: Hawthorn
* 1962: Essendon
* 1963: Hawthorn
* 1964: Melbourne
* 1965: St Kilda
* 1966: Collingwood
* 1967: Richmond
* 1968: Essendon
* 1969: Collingwood
* 1970: Collingwood
* 1971: Hawthorn
* 1972: Carlton
* 1973: Collingwood
* 1974: Richmond
* 1975: Hawthorn
* 1976: Carlton
* 1977: Collingwood
* 1978: North Melbourne
* 1979: Carlton
* 1980: Geelong
* 1981: Carlton
* 1982: Richmond
* 1983: North Melbourne
* 1984: Essendon
* 1985: Essendon
* 1986: Hawthorn
* 1987: Carlton
* 1988: Hawthorn
* 1989: Hawthorn
* 1990: Essendon
* 1991: West Coast
* 1992: Geelong
* 1993: Essendon
* 1994: West Coast
* 1995: Carlton
* 1996: Sydney
* 1997: St Kilda
* 1998: North Melbourne
* 1999: Essendon
* 2000: Essendon
* 2001: Essendon
* 2002: Port Adelaide
* 2003: Port Adelaide
* 2004: Port Adelaide
* 2005: Adelaide
* 2006: West Coast
* 2007: Geelong
* 2008: Geelong
* 2009: St Kilda
* 2010: Collingwood
* 2011: Collingwood
* 2012: Hawthorn
* 2013: Hawthorn
* 2014: Sydney
* 2015: Fremantle
* 2016: Sydney
* 2017: Adelaide
* 2018: Richmond
* 2019: Geelong
* 2020: Port Adelaide
* 2021: Melbourne
* 2022: Geelong
* 2023: Collingwood
* 2024: Sydney

* v
* t
* e

VFL/AFL premiers

* 1897: Essendon
* 1898: Fitzroy
* 1899: Fitzroy
* 1900: Melbourne
* 1901: Essendon
* 1902: Collingwood
* 1903: Collingwood
* 1904: Fitzroy
* 1905: Fitzroy
* 1906: Carlton
* 1907: Carlton
* 1908: Carlton
* 1909: South Melbourne
* 1910: Collingwood
* 1911: Essendon
* 1912: Essendon
* 1913: Fitzroy
* 1914: Carlton
* 1915: Carlton
* 1916: Fitzroy
* 1917: Collingwood
* 1918: South Melbourne
* 1919: Collingwood
* 1920: Richmond
* 1921: Richmond
* 1922: Fitzroy
* 1923: Essendon
* 1924: Essendon
* 1925: Geelong
* 1926: Melbourne
* 1927: Collingwood
* 1928: Collingwood
* 1929: Collingwood
* 1930: Collingwood
* 1931: Geelong
* 1932: Richmond
* 1933: South Melbourne
* 1934: Richmond
* 1935: Collingwood
* 1936: Collingwood
* 1937: Geelong
* 1938: Carlton
* 1939: Melbourne
* 1940: Melbourne
* 1941: Melbourne
* 1942: Essendon
* 1943: Richmond
* 1944: Fitzroy
* 1945: Carlton
* 1946: Essendon
* 1947: Carlton
* 1948: Melbourne
* 1949: Essendon
* 1950: Essendon
* 1951: Geelong
* 1952: Geelong
* 1953: Collingwood
* 1954: Footscray
* 1955: Melbourne
* 1956: Melbourne
* 1957: Melbourne
* 1958: Collingwood
* 1959: Melbourne
* 1960: Melbourne
* 1961: Hawthorn
* 1962: Essendon
* 1963: Geelong
* 1964: Melbourne
* 1965: Essendon
* 1966: St Kilda
* 1967: Richmond
* 1968: Carlton
* 1969: Richmond
* 1970: Carlton
* 1971: Hawthorn
* 1972: Carlton
* 1973: Richmond
* 1974: Richmond
* 1975: North Melbourne
* 1976: Hawthorn
* 1977: North Melbourne
* 1978: Hawthorn
* 1979: Carlton
* 1980: Richmond
* 1981: Carlton
* 1982: Carlton
* 1983: Hawthorn
* 1984: Essendon
* 1985: Essendon
* 1986: Hawthorn
* 1987: Carlton
* 1988: Hawthorn
* 1989: Hawthorn
* 1990: Collingwood
* 1991: Hawthorn
* 1992: West Coast
* 1993: Essendon
* 1994: West Coast
* 1995: Carlton
* 1996: North Melbourne
* 1997: Adelaide
* 1998: Adelaide
* 1999: Kangaroos
* 2000: Essendon
* 2001: Brisbane Lions
* 2002: Brisbane Lions
* 2003: Brisbane Lions
* 2004: Port Adelaide
* 2005: Sydney
* 2006: West Coast
* 2007: Geelong
* 2008: Hawthorn
* 2009: Geelong
* 2010: Collingwood
* 2011: Geelong
* 2012: Sydney
* 2013: Hawthorn
* 2014: Hawthorn
* 2015: Hawthorn
* 2016: Western Bulldogs
* 2017: Richmond
* 2018: West Coast
* 2019: Richmond
* 2020: Richmond
* 2021: Melbourne
* 2022: Geelong
* 2023: Collingwood
* 2024: Brisbane Lions

* v
* t
* e

Australian Football League

* Premiers
* Norm Smith Medal
* Minor premiers
* Brownlow Medal
* winners
* Games records
* 200-game players for one club
* Goalkicking records
* All-Australian team
* Coleman Medal
* Rising Star

Clubs|

| Current|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane Lions
* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Fremantle
* Geelong
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Port Adelaide
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney
* West Coast
* Western Bulldogs

|

Future|

* Tasmania

Former|

* Brisbane Bears
* Fitzroy
* University

Seasons|

* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Grand finals|

* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Venues|

* Adelaide Oval
* Barossa Park
* Engie Stadium
* The Gabba
* GMHBA Stadium
* Hands Oval
* Manuka Oval
* Mars Stadium
* Marvel Stadium
* Melbourne Cricket Ground
* Ninja Stadium
* Norwood Oval
* Optus Stadium
* People First Stadium
* Sydney Cricket Ground
* TIO Stadium
* TIO Traeger Park
* University of Tasmania Stadium

Other awards|

* AFL Coaches Association awards
* AFL Players Association awards
* Leigh Matthews Trophy
* Goal of the Year
* Mark of the Year

Major recurring
events|

* AFL draft
* AFL finals series
* AFL Futures match
* AFL Grand Final
* Anzac Day Eve match
* Anzac Day match
* Dreamtime at the 'G
* Easter Monday clash
* E. J. Whitten Legends Game
* Gather Round
* King's Birthday match
* Len Hall Tribute game
* Opening game
* QClash
* Showdown
* Sydney Derby
* Western Derby

Second-tier and
junior competitions|

| Current|

* AFL National Championships
* Talent League
* South Australian National Football League
* Victorian Football League
* West Australian Football League

|

Former|

* AFL reserves
* AFL under-19s
* North East Australian Football League
* VFL Sub-Districts

Related articles|

* AFL Coaches Association
* AFL Commission
* AFL Players Association
* AFL Record
* AFL Umpires Association
* AFL Women's
* AFLX
* Carlton salary cap breach
* Current coaches
* Essendon supplements saga
* Grand final location debate
* Grand Final pre-match performances
* History
* Indigenous All-Stars
* Individual match awards
* International Rules Series
* McClelland Trophy
* Melbourne tanking scandal
* Premiership captains and coaches
* Premiership/grand final statistics
* Proposed clubs
* Tasmanian AFL bid
* Records
* Reserves affiliations
* Rivalries
* Television shows
* Video games

Known as the Victorian Football League from 1897–1989; no grand finals were held in 1897 and 1924

* v
* t
* e

AFL reserves

Clubs|

| Final season|

* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Geelong
* Hawthorn
* Kangaroos
* Melbourne
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney
* Western Bulldogs

|

Former|

* Brisbane Bears
* Carlton District
* Caulfield
* Coburg
* Collingwood District
* Fitzroy
* Fitzroy Juniors
* Leopold
* St Kilda District
* University A
* University B
* West Melbourne

Seasons|

* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

Related articles|

* AFL reserves affiliations
* AFL under-19s
* Gardiner Medal
* Premiers
* Records
* Victorian Football League

Known as the Victorian Junior Football League from 1919–1924;
VFL seconds 1925–1959; VFL reserves 1960–1989

* v
* t
* e

AFL under-19s

Clubs|

| Final season|

* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Fitzroy
* Footscray
* Geelong
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney

|

Former|

* North Essendon
* TAA
* Richmond Juniors

Seasons|

* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991

Related articles|

* AFL reserves
* Premiers
* Talent League
* VFA thirds

Known as the VFL thirds from 1946–1958; VFL under-19s from 1960–1989

* v
* t
* e

AFL Women's

* Premiers
* Minor premiers
* Best and fairest
* winners
* Games records
* 50-game players for one club
* Goalkicking records
* All-Australian team
* Leading goalkicker
* Rising Star

Clubs|

| Current|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane
* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Fremantle
* Geelong
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Port Adelaide
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney
* West Coast
* Western Bulldogs

|

Future|

* Tasmania

Seasons|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* S6
* S7
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Grand finals|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* S6
* S7
* 2023
* 2024

Venues|

* Alberton Oval
* Arden Street Oval
* Brighton Homes Arena
* C.ex Coffs International Stadium
* Casey Fields
* Cazalys Stadium
* Fremantle Oval
* GMHBA Stadium
* Great Barrier Reef Arena
* Henson Park
* Ikon Park
* Kinetic Stadium
* Manuka Oval
* Mars Stadium
* Melbourne Cricket Ground
* Mineral Resources Park
* Mission Whitten Oval
* North Hobart Oval
* North Sydney Oval
* Norwood Oval
* People First Stadium
* RSEA Park
* Sullivan Logistics Stadium
* Swinburne Centre
* Thomas Farms Oval
* TIO Stadium
* University of Tasmania Stadium
* Victoria Park
* Windy Hill

Competitions|

| Second-tier|

* QAFL Women's
* SANFL Women's League
* VFL Women's
* WAFL Women's

|

Junior|

* Talent League Girls
* Under-18 Championships

Related articles|

* AFL Women's National Championship
* Australian Football League
* Current coaches
* Current team squads
* Exhibition games (2013–2016)
* Hampson–Hardeman Cup
* McClelland Trophy
* Premiership captains and coaches

Italics denote current season; no premiership was awarded in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

* v
* t
* e

AFL Women's premiers

* 2017: Adelaide
* 2018: Western Bulldogs
* 2019: Adelaide
* 2021: Brisbane
* 2022 (S6): Adelaide
* 2022 (S7): Melbourne
* 2023: Brisbane
* 2024: North Melbourne

No premiership was awarded in 2020

* v
* t
* e

Victorian Football League

Clubs|

| Current|

* Box Hill
* Brisbane Lions reserves
* Casey
* Carlton reserves
* Coburg
* Collingwood reserves
* Essendon reserves
* Footscray reserves
* Frankston
* Geelong reserves
* Gold Coast reserves
* Greater Western Sydney reserves
* North Melbourne reserves
* Northern Bullants
* Port Melbourne
* Richmond reserves
* Sandringham
* Southport
* Sydney reserves
* Werribee
* Williamstown

|

Future|

* St Kilda reserves
* Tasmania

Former|

* Albert Park
* Aspley
* Ballarat
* Ballarat Imperial
* Berwick
* Bendigo
* Brighton
* Brighton-Caulfield
* Brunswick
* Camberwell
* Carlton
* Caulfield
* Collingwood
* Dandenong
* East Melbourne
* Essendon
* Essendon A
* Fitzroy
* Footscray
* Geelong
* Geelong A
* Geelong West
* Gold Coast
* Hawthorn
* Hotham/North Melbourne
* Kilsyth
* Melbourne
* Melbourne City
* Moorabbin (1951–1963)
* Moorabbin (1983–1987)
* Mordialloc
* Murray Kangaroos
* North Ballarat
* Northcote
* Oakleigh
* Prahran
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* South Ballarat
* South Melbourne
* South Williamstown
* Sunshine
* Tasmania
* Traralgon
* University
* Waverley
* West Melbourne
* Yarraville

Venues|

* Arden Street Oval
* Blacktown ISP Oval
* Box Hill City Oval
* Carrara Stadium
* Casey Fields
* Chirnside Park
* Coburg City Oval
* Fankhauser Reserve
* Frankston Park
* Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre
* Holm Park
* Kardinia Park
* Melbourne Cricket Ground
* North Port Oval
* Olympic Park Oval
* Preston City Oval
* Princes Park
* Punt Road Oval
* Springfield Central Stadium
* Sydney Cricket Ground
* Sydney Showground Stadium
* The Hangar
* Tramway Oval
* Trevor Barker Beach Oval
* Victoria Park
* Whitten Oval
* Williamstown Cricket Ground
* Windy Hill
* Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve

Awards|

* Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal
* J. J. Liston Trophy
* J. Field Medal
* Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal
* Norm Goss Memorial Medal

Former grades|

* Development League (reserves)
* Under-19s
* Sub-Districts

Related articles|

* AFL Victoria
* History (1859–1900)
* Minor Premiers
* Premiers
* Records
* Reserves affiliations
* Rivalries (Battle of Bell Street)
* Williamstown vs Geelong West (1983 thirds season)
* Talent League
* VFL Women's
* Vicki Cleary Day
* Victorian Junior Football Association

Known as the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1877–1996

* v
* t
* e

Professional sports teams based in Melbourne

Australian rules football|

| AFL|

* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Western Bulldogs

|

AFLW|

* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Western Bulldogs

Baseball|

| ABL|

* Melbourne Aces

|

Claxton Shield|

* Victoria Aces

Basketball|

| NBL|

* Melbourne United
* South East Melbourne Phoenix

|

WNBL|

* Southside Flyers

Cricket|

| Sheffield Shield/One-Day Cup|

* Victoria

|

Big Bash League|

* Melbourne Renegades
* Melbourne Stars

WNCL|

* Victoria

Women's Big Bash League|

* Melbourne Renegades
* Melbourne Stars

Field hockey|

| AHL|

* Victorian Vikings

|

WAHL|

* Victorian Vipers

Hockey One|

* HC Melbourne (men's and women's divisions)

Futsal|

| F-League|

* Vic Vipers Futsal Club

|

Series Futsal Victoria|

* Pascoe Vale Futsal Club

Ice hockey|

| AIHL|

* Melbourne Ice
* Melbourne Mustangs

|

AWIHL|

* Melbourne Ice

Motorsport|

| Supercars|

* Eggleston Motorsport
* Erebus Motorsport
* Kelly Grove Racing
* MW Motorsport
* Team 18
* Tickford Racing
* Walkinshaw Andretti United

|

Netball|

| SN|

* Melbourne Mavericks
* Melbourne Vixens

|

ANC|

* Victorian Fury

Rugby league|

| NRL|

* Melbourne Storm

|

Soccer|

| A-League Men|

* Melbourne City
* Melbourne Victory
* Western United

|

A-League Women|

* Melbourne City
* Melbourne Victory
* Western United

Water polo|

| ANWPL|

Victorian Phoenix

|

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

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*[Venues]: Venues that hosted matches during the 2024 season