P&PP&OA

MEMBER NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2017

Past & Present Players & Officials Association

MEMBER NEWSLETTER EDITION 3 - JUNE 2017

1957 REUNION As we head towards our Queen’s Birthday clash with Collingwood, it’s time to revisit the third of our great premiership wins of the era.

In 1957, Melbourne triumphed over Essendon by 61 points, with Beckwith as captain, and Barassi as his deputy.

In front of a crowd of over 100,000, Melbourne sealed its reputation as the supreme side of the 1950s, its flags of 1955, 1956 and 1957 echoing the achievements of 1939, 1940 and 1941 to deliver an unprecedented second hattrick of premierships.

On Sunday 11 June, join us at The Bentleigh Club for a memorable trek back in time to this achievement, when we reunite to remember 1957.

FRANK “BLUEY” ADAMS

IAN RIDLEY

JOHN BECKWITH

RON BARASSI

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MEMBER NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2017

CATCH UP AT THE MCG FRIDAY 30 JUNE Join us on the night of Friday 30 June, when we take on the Swans at the MCG. If you missed the Round Two catch up, this is your last chance to get together during the home and away season, and enjoy what is sure to be a fantastic encounter between the capital city rivals.

4 Venue – Harrison Room, MCG. (Level Two, behind city end goals) 4 Price – Members free $25 per person for non-MFC P&PP&OA members (includes finger food before the game and at half time).

4 There will be a full cash bar available 4 Reserved seating is available, directly in front of the Harrison Room 4 Bookings are essential.

Contact Spike Harris via spike.harris@bigpond.com

Top: Former coach John Northey watches on during the Round 2 game.

Right: Chris Connolly, Rod Grinter and Doug Koop

RONALD DALE BARASSI AM ANNUAL ADDRESS DINNER Friday 18 August, 2017 Queen’s Hall at the Parliament of Victoria This is your opportunity to be part of something special.

With only 200 seats available, enjoy amazing surroundings and entertainment in one of Melbourne’s most spectacular venues.

Cost: $275 per head Contact Spike Harris via spike.harris@bigpond.com

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A Salute to an Australian Icon

RONALD DALE BARASSI One of the greatest names associated with the Melbourne Football Club, Ronald Dale Barassi, celebrated his 80th birthday on the February 27, 2016.

MEMBER NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2017

PAST AND PRESENT PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS ANNUAL REUNION The Thursday before the Grand Final – it’s the evening everyone involved with the MFC P&PP&OA looks forward to, and this year is no exception.

Put it in your calendar now: Thursday 28 September in the MCG’s magnificent Jim Stynes Room (more details to follow) MFC past and present players and officials enjoying one of the great social events of the year!

MFC COTERIE As supporters of the P&PP&OA, Melbourne’s Coterie plays a great part in hosting and maintaining the connections between all involved in our Association.

When Melbourne played North Melbourne at the MCG in Round Nine, a number of past players were hosted by Coterie.

We thank and recognise them for their ongoing efforts, as well as offering our sincere thanks to Kelley Gillespie-Jones for sharing photos of a very enjoyable day with us.

Top: Steve O’Dwyer and Alan Johnson Right: Rod Grinter

GOLF DAY On 21 April, Ted Carroll, Paul Callery, Ken Emselle and Gary Hardeman represented Melbourne at Sanctuary Lakes for the AFLPA Alumni and AFL Combined PP&O Association Golf Day. While battling driving rain on occasion, our team finished with a competitive 66, along with the prestigious NAGA award and a bottle of wine in recognition of their efforts.

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MEMBER NEWSLETTER

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? GREG HUTCHISON

I’m Member Services Manager at the AFL Coaches Association, taking care of coaches at nine AFL clubs. That’s made up of five Victorian clubs – Melbourne, Richmond, Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda – along with the two NSW and Queensland clubs.

I’m a bit of a personal manager to all of those coaches career wise, helping them

to be the best possible coach they can be, and providing them with a road map to the future, including beyond coaching. We also provide services such as financial advice.

There’s a fair amount of travel involved – I head to the northern states four or five times a year. It can be a bit tough around July/August, when coaches come out of contract.

In my spare time (!), I’m coaching Old Brighton Grammarians, in the B Grade Amateurs. This came about through Greg Healy – his son Luke plays there. There’s also another Melbourne connection - club president, Shane Young, was an Under 19s player with the Demons.

I have three daughters – Briony and twins, Ashlee and Amy. Two are teachers, and one is an accountant, which is fantastic, and my wife Karen and I are very proud grandparents to Mason, aged three, and Lyla, who is nearly two.

The Melbourne connection is a really strong one. I’ve been to three or four games this year, and I’m really lucky to have a good relationship with the club on an ongoing basis, often heading down to training, and keeping in touch with everyone. Mark Brayshaw, who’s the CEO of the AFLCA, is Angus Brayshaw’s dad, and always has a bit of a chat with me as well. It’s a really interesting job, and I enjoy what I’m doing.

CONGRATULATIONS

– and seven time MFC leading goal kicker, Neitz remains the only Melbourne player to have played over 300 games.

At the recent Foundation Heroes Dinner, two of the greats of the Melbourne Football Club were recognised with induction into the MFC Hall of Fame.

These days, Neitz is one of the main forces at the helm of brewmanity.com.au

An integral part of the footballing landscape since the 1970s, Hutchison’s career spans all levels and varieties of the game, with his time at Melbourne at the heart of it all.

Originally hailing from Chelsea, Hutchison’s statistics in the red and blue are: 96 games, 21 goals Senior debut – 1975, Round 22 vs Collingwood at Victoria Park Last game – 1984, Round 4 vs Essendon at Waverley Guernsey Numbers - 52 43 18 Reserves Premiership 1984 Reserves Captain 1983, 1984 Life Member 1984 MFC Coach - Round 10 to Round 22 1997

JUNE 2017

Greg Hutchison pictured during playing days with the Melbourne Football Club

First was JP ‘Shane’ McGrath. One of the Demons’ toughest ever full backs, McGrath – who served with the 15th Australian Field Ambulance in World War II - was a veteran of the 1941 and 1948 premierships, and captained Melbourne in 1950. McGrath returned to Boort in country Victoria following his retirement, but continued playing a role in the Club, including as a committee member.

Next was a more recent favourite, in former captain David Neitz. With the games, goals and captaincy records under his belt, as well as All Australian representation in 1995 and 2002, Neitz is a modern great of the game. Best and Fairest in 2002 - the same year in which he won the Coleman Medal for leading the competition with 82 goals

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Club legends JP “Shane” McGrath (left) joined

by David Neitx (above) in this year’s Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame inductions at the 2017 Foundation Heroes event.

MEMBER NEWSLETTER

VALE TOM MCLEAN Hailing from South Yarra, Tom McLean – wearing No. 20 - played 22 senior games for Melbourne in 1951 and 1952 after emerging from the thirds, followed by nine games for North Melbourne between 1954 and 1956.

Part of a very special generation coached by the legendary Norm Smith, McLean ‘remained a passionate Demon supporter until the end’.

His sons – Glenn and Paul – played for Melbourne in the early 1980s, and we offer our deepest sympathies to them, along with Tom’s wife, Lois, and daughter Michele.

VALE DAVID BEDFORD

JUNE 2017 A former player with Subiaco in the WAFL, Tony was renowned for his welcome to all those who travelled west. We pass on our most sincere condolences to Jesse and the entire Hogan family at this difficult time.

Recruited from Melbourne Grammar, David Bedford played four games in No. 26 for Melbourne in 1950. Described by his son James as ‘a proud Demon’, Bedford went on to have a long and illustrious career with Camberwell in the VFA. Our thoughts are with James, Jill, Wendy and the Bedford family.

VALE TONY HOGAN The father of current player Jesse, Tony, who fought a long battle with cancer, was a great friend to all at the Melbourne Football Club.

Tony Hogan, late father of current Melbourne Football CLub forward Jesse Hogan pictured with Subiaco guernsey.

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