In the late 80's, our team was reknowned for our toughness and aggression. We had tough bastards in there like Grinter, Wight, Hughes and a host of other players who have escaped my mind at the the moment. They were fearless and intimidated opponents. Unfortunately, this team failed at the 1988 Grand Final because they played one of the greatest teams of all-time.
In the mid 90's, we had a nice blend of aggressive players and classy players. The likes of Stynes, Lyon, Schwarz, Tingay, Viney, Neitz, Lovett x2, Febey x2 were regulars in this team. But, injuries got the better of them and unfortunately the team could only manage a Preliminary Final loss in 1994 to the eventual premiers.
In the late 90's, we began developing a classy team. The athletic, classy types such as White, Farmer, Powell, Yze, Woewodin, Green, Bruce, Johnstone became household names in this team. Prematurely, this team reached a Grand Final in 2000 but again failed at the hands of another awesome side.
Now, we are at a stage we have to base our hopes around the new generation; the young, tough guys who we can build a premiership team around. With the aggression from the 80's and the talent of the 90's, we could have our best shot at a flag since 1964. The likes of Miller, our fearless centre half forward who leads straight, grabs the ball and knocks his man over. The likes of Rivers, our courageous centre half back who backs into packs, is cool under pressure and also shows no fear. The amazing pocket rocket Davey, who is undoubtedly the fastest man in the AFL and has the talent of a red hot Wizard. The young Bell, who has been giving time to develop into an extremely strong bodied midfielder and looks a class act already. The two new recruits Sylvia and McLean. Brock who has the body to match it with men already and looks like developing into a good old fashioned midfield slugger. Colin who has the aggression of Jon Brown and a body bigger and stronger than most 18 year olds. He has class written all over him and is already standing up to older guys who dare stand in his way. Now, the new signing Moloney from Geelong, who has received nothing but praise for his tough, committed, dashing style and long booming kick.
With Miller and Rivers the two key posts at either end, and the aggressive and talented midfield group of Bell, McLean, Sylvia and Moloney, this new team has an extraordinary base to build our premiership around. Davey already adds the excitement to the team. Guys like Ferguson, Smith, Jamar, P. Johnson and C. Johnson are going to be vital to help the main core of guys produce the goods. To add to this, will still be a fair chunk of the experienced players from today. Neitz might not have too long left and we don't know how long White will be able to keep going on, whilst Bizzell and Yze aren't on the young side of the hill anymore. But there will still be stars like Bruce and Green, the courageous small defenders in Whelan and Brown, the versatile talls in Wheatley and Broadbridge and the freakish Robertson and Johnstone. With the class of our older guys and the aggression of our younger guys, the Melbourne Football Club is definately on track for something big in the near future.
Here's to the best of luck for our new young hopes, whilst I hope that our experienced guys will still be around for the trip.
In the mid 90's, we had a nice blend of aggressive players and classy players. The likes of Stynes, Lyon, Schwarz, Tingay, Viney, Neitz, Lovett x2, Febey x2 were regulars in this team. But, injuries got the better of them and unfortunately the team could only manage a Preliminary Final loss in 1994 to the eventual premiers.
In the late 90's, we began developing a classy team. The athletic, classy types such as White, Farmer, Powell, Yze, Woewodin, Green, Bruce, Johnstone became household names in this team. Prematurely, this team reached a Grand Final in 2000 but again failed at the hands of another awesome side.
Now, we are at a stage we have to base our hopes around the new generation; the young, tough guys who we can build a premiership team around. With the aggression from the 80's and the talent of the 90's, we could have our best shot at a flag since 1964. The likes of Miller, our fearless centre half forward who leads straight, grabs the ball and knocks his man over. The likes of Rivers, our courageous centre half back who backs into packs, is cool under pressure and also shows no fear. The amazing pocket rocket Davey, who is undoubtedly the fastest man in the AFL and has the talent of a red hot Wizard. The young Bell, who has been giving time to develop into an extremely strong bodied midfielder and looks a class act already. The two new recruits Sylvia and McLean. Brock who has the body to match it with men already and looks like developing into a good old fashioned midfield slugger. Colin who has the aggression of Jon Brown and a body bigger and stronger than most 18 year olds. He has class written all over him and is already standing up to older guys who dare stand in his way. Now, the new signing Moloney from Geelong, who has received nothing but praise for his tough, committed, dashing style and long booming kick.
With Miller and Rivers the two key posts at either end, and the aggressive and talented midfield group of Bell, McLean, Sylvia and Moloney, this new team has an extraordinary base to build our premiership around. Davey already adds the excitement to the team. Guys like Ferguson, Smith, Jamar, P. Johnson and C. Johnson are going to be vital to help the main core of guys produce the goods. To add to this, will still be a fair chunk of the experienced players from today. Neitz might not have too long left and we don't know how long White will be able to keep going on, whilst Bizzell and Yze aren't on the young side of the hill anymore. But there will still be stars like Bruce and Green, the courageous small defenders in Whelan and Brown, the versatile talls in Wheatley and Broadbridge and the freakish Robertson and Johnstone. With the class of our older guys and the aggression of our younger guys, the Melbourne Football Club is definately on track for something big in the near future.
Here's to the best of luck for our new young hopes, whilst I hope that our experienced guys will still be around for the trip.
