2008 Melbourne Football Club season

2008 list changes

2007 trades

Retirements and delistings

National draft

Pre-season draft

Rookie draft

2008 squad

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2008 season

Pre-season

NAB Cup

Week 1

Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws

NAB Challenge

Week 2

Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws

Week 3

Record: 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws

Week 4

Record: 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws

Home and away season

Round 1

Debut(s): Cale Morton, Isaac Weetra

Brownlow Votes: 1. Chance Bateman (), 2. Lance Franklin (), 3. Sam Mitchell ()

Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 2

Brownlow Votes: 1. Matthew Boyd (), 2. Daniel Cross (), 3. Scott West ()

Record: 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 3

• Odds of up to $34 from some betting agencies were offered for Melbourne to beat Geelong. These were the highest ever offered in a VFL/AFL game. Despite Melbourne kicking the first 3 goals of the game and staying in it for a large proportion of the game, Geelong proved to be too strong for a young Demons outfit running away with the game by 30 points. Debut(s): Austin Wonaeamirri

Brownlow Votes: 1. Joel Corey (), 2. Tom Hawkins (), 3. Paul Chapman ()

Record: 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 4

Brownlow Votes: 1. Daniel Wells (), 2. Nathan Thompson (), 3. Brent Harvey ()

Record: 0 Wins, 4 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 5

Milestone(s): Daniel Bell (50th AFL game) Brownlow Votes: 1. Brendan Fevola (), 2. Jarrad Waite (), 3. Chris Judd ()

Record: 0 Wins, 5 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 6

Record: 0 Wins, 6 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 7

• Melbourne's win was the second greatest win from a half-time deficit in VFL/AFL history.
• Melbourne players received Brownlow votes from this match for the first time in 2008.
• Austin Wonaeamirri received the NAB AFL Rising Star nomitation for Round 7. Brownlow Votes: 1. Jeff White (), 2. Matthew Pavlich (), 3. Brock McLean ()

Record: 1 Win, 6 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 8

Brownlow Votes: 1. Brett Burton (), 2. Bernie Vince (), 3. Jason Porplyzia ()

Record: 1 Win, 7 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 9

• Hawthorn's second win over Melbourne for the year allowed them to overtake Melbourne's tally in wins for all VFL/AFL games contested between the two sides. Brownlow Votes: 1. Brock McLean (), 2. Brad Sewell (), 3. Sam Mitchell ()

Record: 1 Win, 8 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 10

Milestone(s): Brad Miller (100th AFL game) Brownlow Votes: 1. Nick Riewoldt (), 2. Nick Dal Santo (), 3. Luke Ball ()

Record: 1 Win, 9 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 11

• Also before the match Paul Gardiner announced his resignation as Melbourne's president and announced Jim Stynes as his successor.
• Collingwood's win ended Melbourne's winning streak of 4 consecutive Queen's Birthday clashes Brownlow Votes: 1. Adem Yze (), 2. Scott Burns (), 3. Tarkyn Lockyer ()

Record: 1 win, 10 losses, 0 draws

Ladder position: 16th

Round 12

Record: 1 Win, 11 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 13

Record: 1 Win, 12 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 14

• After selling a home game to the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions each year for seven years, Melbourne would win its first game against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG since Round 18, 1998.
• For the first and only time in 2008, Melbourne players would collect all the Brownlow votes in a game.
• Colin Garland received the NAB AFL Rising Star nomitation for Round 14. Debut(s): Stefan Martin Brownlow Votes: 1. Chris Johnson (), 2. Paul Wheatley (), 3. Brad Green ()

Record: 2 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 15

Record: 2 Wins, 13 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 16

Record: 2 Wins, 14 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 17

Brownlow Votes: 1. Simon Buckley (), 2. Adam Simpson (), 3. Brent Harvey ()

Record: 2 Wins, 15 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 18

Brownlow Votes: 1. Adam McPhee (), 2. Cale Morton (), 3. Matthew Lloyd ()

Record: 2 Wins, 16 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 19

• This match commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first ever game of Australian Rules Football contested between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School on 7 August 1858, in the Richmond Paddock.
• To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Australian Rules Football a match was contested between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School as pre-game entertainment to the clash between Melbourne and Geelong.
• This match begun half an hour earlier than the usual Friday Night Football starting time of 7:40 PM and was broadcast live across Australia. This was to prevent it from clashing with the Opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics which was also broadcast by Channel 7.
• In cold and wet conditions, Melbourne was inflicted with its heaviest loss for the season (116 points) and at the time the second worst loss to Geelong in VFL/AFL history before Round 19, 2011 where Geelong thrashed Melbourne by 186 points. Brownlow Votes: 1. Joel Corey (), 2. Joel Selwood (), 3. Andrew Mackie ()

Record: 2 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 20

• Melbourne would concede only one goal in the second half to obtain their greatest winning margin for the season (34 points).
• Melbourne would win its first game against West Coast since Round 7, 2004.
• Cale Morton received the NAB AFL Rising Star nomitation for Round 20. Brownlow Votes: 1. Dean Cox (), 2. Cale Morton (), 3. Paul Wheatley ()

Record: 3 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 21

Record: 3 Wins, 18 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Round 22

• Ben Holland, Jeff White and Adem Yze played their last AFL game in this match and retired straight afterwards. Debut(s): Jack Grimes Milestone(s): Nathan Jones (50th AFL game) Brownlow Votes: 1. Shane Tuck (), 2. Brett Deledio (), 3. Joel Bowden ()

Record: 3 Wins, 19 Losses, 0 Draws

Ladder Position: 16th

Ladder

Ladder breakdown by opposition

Awards

[[Brownlow Medal]] tally

[[Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal]] tally (top 10)

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy – Cameron Bruce

Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (Second in the Best and Fairest) – Brock McLean

Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (Third in the Best and Fairest) – Brad Green

Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy (Fourth in the Best and Fairest) – Matthew Warnock

Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (Fifth in the Best and Fairest) – James McDonald

Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player) – Cale Morton

Troy Broadbridge Trophy (highest polling MFC player in the Casey Best and Fairest) – Adem Yze

Ron Barassi Leadership Award – Brad Green

Ian Ridley Club Ambassador Award – Clint Bartram

Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (Coach's Award) – Matthew Warnock

Leading Goalkicker Award – Brad Miller (26)

150 Heroes

Melbourne FC announced its "150 Heroes" to celebrate its 150th birthday at Crown Casino on 7 June 2008. These were also presented during the Queen's Birthday Clash against Collingwood in Round 11. Each player, or their closest relative, were presented with an official 150 heroes medallion.

The criteria for inclusion was games played (minimum of 100), best-and-fairest awards, premierships, Brownlow Medals, contribution to the club and State representation. Those who died in the war were judged based on their achievements before their death. The heroes named were:

Jim Abernethy, Frank Adams, Bill Allen, Stan Alves, Syd Anderson, Tony Anderson, Lance Arnold, Ron Baggott, Garry Baker, Harold Ball, Ron Barassi, Percy Beames, John Beckwith, George Bickford, Ray Biffin, Barry Bourke, Harry Brereton, Cameron Bruce, Keith Carroll, Geoff Case, Albert Chadwick, Noel Clarke, Geoff Collins, Jack Collins, Chris Connolly, Bob Corbett, Denis Cordner, Don Cordner, Ted Cordner, Vin Coutie, Harry Coy, Jim Davidson, Frank Davis, Ross Dillon, Carl Ditterich, Brian Dixon, Len Dockett, Adrian Dullard, Hugh Dunbar, Richie Emselle, Fred Fanning, Jeff Farmer, Matthew Febey, Steven Febey, Dick Fenton-Smith, Rowley Fischer, Robert Flower, Laurie Fowler, Maurice Gibb, Peter Giles, Terry Gleeson, Brad Green, Rod Grinter, George Haines, Gary Hardeman, Henry Harrison, Gerard Healy, Greg Healy, Dick Hingston, Paul Hopgood, Danny Hughes, Anthony Ingerson, Eddie Jackson, Alan Johnson, Bob Johnson, Tassie Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Travis Johnstone, Gordon Jones, Les Jones, Bryan Kenneally, Allan La Fontaine, Clyde Laidlaw, Frank Langley, Jack Leith, Andrew Leoncelli, Charlie Lilley, Wally Lock, Harry Long, John Lord, Andy Lovell, Brett Lovett, Glenn Lovett, Garry Lyon, Hassa Mann, George Margitich, Peter Marquis, Bernie Massey, Anthony McDonald, James McDonald, Fred McGinis, Shane McGrath, Bob McKenzie, Col McLean, Ian McLean, Noel McMahen, Ken Melville, Laurie Mithen, Peter Moore, Jack Mueller, David Neitz, Stephen Newport, Jack O'Keefe, Andrew Obst, Gordon Ogden, Greg Parke, Joe Pearce, Jack Purse, Ian Ridley, Guy Rigoni, Frank Roberts, Russell Robertson, Alby Rodda, Brian Roet, Peter Rohde, Alan Rowarth, David Schwarz, Norm Smith, Steven Smith, Earl Spalding, Stuart Spencer, Charlie Streeter, Steven Stretch, Jim Stynes, Tony Sullivan, Dick Taylor, Ted Thomas, Ian Thorogood, Stephen Tingay, John Townsend, Keith Truscott, Geoff Tunbridge, Bill Tymms, Barrie Vagg, Francis Vine, Todd Viney, Ivor Warne-Smith, Ray Wartman, Athol Webb, Greg Wells, Jeff White, Sean Wight, Don Williams, Brian Wilson, Stan Wittman, Shane Woewodin, Graeme Yeats, Charlie Young, Adem Yze

Off-field crises and debt demolition

Aside from Melbourne's on-field struggles throughout the year, they were also placed into financial turmoil and the possibility of filing for bankruptcy.

On 4 February, CEO Steve Harris announced his resignation after reportedly cutting Melbourne's pre-existing debt by 50% and increasing membership sales by 40% since 2003. He was later replaced by former Wimbledon tennis champion Paul McNamee on 18 March, despite the fact that McNamee did not originally apply for the job.

With no cash, no solidified training or administration base and decreased membership count from 2007, the Demons found themselves winning only one game in the first half of the season. On 23 May, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett suggested that Melbourne should relocate to the Gold Coast if they were to have a financially stable future. Melbourne was expected to lose $1–2 million during the year and put their near future as an existing football club in doubt.

Melbourne had little to celebrate heading into their 150 Heroes dinner on 7 June, during which Jim Stynes announced his intention to challenge Paul Gardiner's role as Melbourne's president. Two days later, before the Queen's Birthday clash, Gardiner announced his resignation as Melbourne's president, and endorsed Stynes to take over. On 12 June, Stynes was announced as the new president of the Melbourne Football Club and announced his primary intention to wipe off Melbourne's debt. Three days later he announced that Melbourne was $4.5 million in debt and that he would create a campaign called Debt Demolition to wipe off the debt. The campaign took place during August, beginning on 5 August during the 150 Foundation Heroes dinner. Guests and supporters were asked to dig deep and donate at least $5,000 to be considered a 150 Foundation Hero.

During June, Melbourne had a late surge in membership purchases for 2008. On 30 June, Melbourne successfully increased their membership count from 2007 gaining a record high 29,619 members at the time and falling just short of their goal of 30,000.

On 23 July, Stynes sacked Paul McNamee as CEO of the club. During his time as CEO, NcNamee was criticised for taking a mid-season holiday to England to play in a Wimbledon doubles match. He was also criticised for trying to lure Brisbane Lions' forward Jonathan Brown to Melbourne. Stynes stated, however, that the main reason he was sacked was his lack of a football background.

Melbourne held its 150 Foundation Heroes dinner on 5 August where they launched their Debt Demolition campaign. Melbourne raised $1.3 million from former players and supporters that night. At the end of the month the club had raised up to $3 million. Despite all the donations Melbourne received, their major sponsor Primus Telecom announced that it would not continue its $1 million per year arrangements with the club in 2009.

On 26 August, Melbourne announced Cameron Schwab as their new CEO. Schwab left his role of CEO at Fremantle and re-joined Melbourne for the third time since 1982.

On 18 December, the AFL agreed to increase Melbourne's 2009 from $250,000 to $1 million, with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) contracted to match the AFL's offer. However, financial disagreements between the MCC and AFL prevented them from co-funding all Victorian clubs temporarily until an agreement was worked out on 20 December.

Melbourne finished the year $2.5 million in debt. They continued with the Debt Demolition campaign in August 2009, finishing the year with a debt of $1.5 million, and in August 2010. On 5 August 2010 Melbourne clear all of its $4.5 million debt as Jim Stynes announced the club to be debt free for the first time in 30 years.

References

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