2009 Melbourne Football Club season

Last updated

Melbourne Football Club
2009 season
Melbourne vs St Kilda 2009.jpg
Melbourne vs St Kilda 2009
President Jim Stynes
(2nd season)
Coach Dean Bailey
(2nd season)
Captain(s) James McDonald
(2nd season)
Home ground MCG
(100,018 capacity)
Pre-season First round
AFL season 16th
Finals series DNQ
Best and fairest Aaron Davey
Leading goalkicker Russell Robertson
(29 goals)
Highest home attendance61,287
(round 11 vs. Collingwood)
Lowest home attendance7,311
(round 17 vs. Sydney)
Average home attendance27,570
Club membership31,506
(Increase2.svg 1,887 / Increase2.svg 6.37%)
← 2008 2010 →

The 2009 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 110th year in the VFL/AFL since it began in 1897.

Contents

Melbourne hosted 10 of its 11 home games at the MCG. For the third year in a row, they played their remaining home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital, Canberra, against the Sydney Swans during Round 17. Dean Bailey coached his second year as senior coach at Melbourne. After taking the captaincy from David Neitz in round 6 the year before with Cameron Bruce, James McDonald was made full-time captain for the season. [1]

On 2 August, Melbourne president Jim Stynes announced he was diagnosed with cancer and would be stepping aside from his duties until the conclusion of the 2009 AFL season. [2] Don McLardy took over as acting president for that period of time.

Melbourne continued their Debt Demolition campaign in the month of August raising $567,132 and cutting their debt to $1.5 million. [3] Melbourne also had a yearly profit of $587,183. [4]

Melbourne only won four matches for the year, receiving their 12th wooden spoon. Melbourne came under scrutiny in the later rounds of the season (most notably in round 18 against Richmond) for "tanking", i.e. losing games in order to receive a priority draft pick; [5] but, after extensive investigations in 2012 and 2013, the AFL found the club not guilty of these allegations. [6] Because the Demons won four games or fewer for the second year in a row, the club received a priority pick at the start of the 2009 National Draft.

2009 list changes

Retirements and delistings

PlayerNew clubLeagueReason
David Neitz UnknownUnknownRetired
Ben Holland UnknownUnknownRetired
Isaac Weetra Port Adelaide Magpies SANFL Delisted
Jace Bode Norwood SANFL Delisted
Adem Yze Box Hill Hawks VFL Delisted
Jeff White Redland QAFL Delisted
Chris Johnson Carlton AFL Delisted

National draft

RoundOverall pickPlayerStatePositionTeam fromLeague from
11 Jack Watts Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Forward Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup
Priority17 Sam Blease Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Midfield Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
219 James Strauss Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Forward Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup
335 Jamie Bennell Flag of Western Australia.svg Utility Swan Districts WAFL
451 Neville Jetta Flag of Western Australia.svg Defender Swan Districts WAFL
564 Rohan Bail Flag of Queensland.svg Defender Mount Gravatt QAFL

Pre-season draft

RoundOverall pickPlayerStatePositionTeam fromLeague from
11 Liam Jurrah Flag of the Northern Territory.svg Forward Yuendemu
Nightcliff 		CAFL
NTFL

Rookie draft

RoundOverall pickPlayerStatePositionTeam fromLeague from
11 Jordie McKenzie Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Midfield Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
217 Rhys Healey Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Forward/Midfield Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup
333 Daniel Hughes Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Forward Melbourne AFL

2009 squad

Melbourne Football Club
Senior listRookie ListCoaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2009 season

Pre-season

NAB Cup and NAB Challenge

Week 1
Round 1
Saturday, 21 February (4:10 pm) Hawthorn def. Melbourne York Park (crowd: 8,122) Report
0.4.0 (24)
0.5.1 (31)
0.5.2 (32)
 0.11.3 (69)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		0.4.5 (29)
0.5.6 (36)
1.8.8 (65)
 1.8.9 (66)		Television broadcast: None

Practice Matches

Week 2
Week 2
Saturday, 28 February (1:00 pm) Melbourne def. by Sydney Visy Park (crowd: 3,000 est.) Report



 8.7 (55)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final


 9.9 (63)		Television broadcast: None
Week 3
Week 3
Friday, 6 March (7.30 pm) Brisbane Lions def. by Melbourne Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 4,000 est.) Report



 4.12 (36)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final


 11.7 (73)		Television broadcast: None
Week 4
Week 4
Saturday, 14 March (2.00 pm) Melbourne def. by Western Bulldogs Casey Fields (crowd: 2,500 est.) Report



 10.3 (63)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final


 14.17 (101)		Television broadcast: None

Home and away season

Round 1

Round 1
Sunday, 29 March (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. by North Melbourne MCG (crowd: 28,707) Report
3.3 (21)
6.5 (41)
9.6 (60)
 10.7 (67)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.3 (21)
7.6 (48)
11.8 (74)
 15.11 (101)		Television broadcast: Foxtel
Green 2, Petterd 2, Bate, Davey, Jetta, Johnson, Moloney, Morton Goals McIntosh 3, Campbell 2, Petrie 2, Thomas 2, Firrito, Hale, Harding, Harvey, McMahon, Simpson

Round 2

Round 2
Saturday, 4 April (2:10 pm) Collingwood def. Melbourne MCG (crowd: 43,169) Report
3.1 (19)
8.3 (51)
14.7 (91)
 17.15 (117)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		5.2 (32)
7.2 (44)
9.4 (58)
 10.4 (64)		Television broadcast: Network Ten
Anthony 4, Didak 3, Cloke 2, Lockyer 2, Brown, Davis, Fraser, Beams, Medhurst, Swan Goals Green 3, Bruce, Johnson, Bate, McLean, Miller, Morton, Petterd

Round 3

Round 3
Sunday, 11 April (12:40 pm) Port Adelaide def. Melbourne AAMI Stadium (crowd: 21,030) Report
3.3 (21)
10.5 (65)
16.12 (108)
 22. 15 (147)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		2.1 (13)
4.4 (28)
7.5 (47)
 14.6 (90)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 4

Round 4
Sunday, 19 April (2:10 pm) Richmond def. by Melbourne MCG (crowd: 40,765) Report
2.3 (15)
5.6 (36)
9.7 (61)
 13.14 (92)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		2.6 (18)
10.7 (67)
13.11 (89)
 14.16 (100)		Television broadcast: Seven Network

Round 5

Round 5
Sunday, 26 April (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Adelaide MCG (crowd: 14,129) Report
0.1 (1)
0.3 (3)
1.6 (12)
 4.10 (34)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		2.4 (16)
4.6 (30)
5.7 (37)
 7.9 (51)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 6

Round 6
Sunday, 3 May (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Geelong MCG (crowd: 36,932) Report
2.4 (16)
2.6 (30)
6.7 (43)
 10.8 (68)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.3 (21)
9.8 (62)
12.17 (89)
 15.21 (111)		Television broadcast: Seven Network

Round 7

Round 7
Sunday, 10 May (4:40 pm) West Coast def. Melbourne Subiaco Oval (crowd: 35,209) Report
2.4 (16)
7.7 (49)
11.12 (78)
 12.18 (90)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		1.1 (7)
7.3 (45)
10.3 (63)
 13.4 (82)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 8

Round 8
Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Western Bulldogs MCG (crowd: 28,279) Report
5.2 (32)
10.3 (63)
11.4 (70)
 15.7 (97)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.3 (21)
9.6 (60)
12.10 (82)
 15.14 (104)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 9

Round 9
Sunday, 24 May (4:40 pm) Hawthorn def. Melbourne MCG (crowd: 39,395) Report
6.2 (38)
11.7 (73)
16.9 (105)
 17.12 (114)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		2.5 (17)
4.6 (30)
8.10 (58)
 13.14 (92)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 10

Round 10
Saturday, 30 May (7:10 pm) St Kilda def. Melbourne Carrara Stadium (crowd: 9,112) Report
5.3 (33)
7.8 (50)
10.11 (71)
 11.17 (83)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		4.5 (29)
6.6 (42)
6.6 (42)
 6.20 (46)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 11

Round 11
Monday, 8 June (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Collingwood MCG (crowd: 61,287) Report
0.4 (4)
5.6 (36)
6.9 (45)
 8.12 (60)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		7.4 (46)
10.7 (67)
16.11 (107)
 19.12 (126)		Television broadcast: Network Ten

Round 12

Round 12
Friday, 19 June (7:40 pm) Essendon def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,087) Report
6.3 (39)
10.7 (67)
17.13 (115)
 19.17 (131)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.2 (20)
8.3 (51)
9.3 (57)
 13.5 (83)		Television broadcast: Seven Network

Round 13

Round 13
Saturday, 27 June (7:10 pm) Brisbane Lions def. Melbourne Gabba (crowd: 23,750) Report
3.4 (22)
9.7 (61)
13.13 (91)
 16.15 (111)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		2.0 (12)
2.2 (14)
2.5 (17)
 8.8 (56)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 14

Round 14
Saturday, 4 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. West Coast MCG (crowd: 23,149) Report
6.1 (37)
11.2 (68)
16.6 (102)
 17.10 (112)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		4.6 (30)
7.8 (50)
11.12 (78)
 13.14 (92)		Television broadcast: Network Ten

Round 15

Round 15
Sunday, 12 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. Port Adelaide MCG (crowd: 15,888) Report
4.2 (26)
9.6 (60)
13.9 (87)
 15.11 (101)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.3 (21)
7.6 (48)
10.8 (68)
 13.12 (90)		Television broadcast: Seven Network

Round 16

Round 16
Saturday, 18 July (2:10 pm) Geelong def. Melbourne Skilled Stadium (crowd: 21,160) Report
7.4 (46)
9.9 (63)
14.13 (97)
 17.15 (117)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		0.2 (2)
3.2 (20)
7.3 (45)
 11.5 (71)		Television broadcast: Network Ten

Round 17

Round 17
Sunday, 26 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Sydney Manuka Oval (crowd: 7,311) Report
1.2 (8)
2.6 (18)
4.11 (35)
 6.14 (50)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.4 (22)
6.6 (42)
7.6 (48)
 10.8 (68)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 18

Round 18
Sunday, 2 August (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Richmond MCG (crowd: 37,438) Report
2.0 (12)
4.3 (27)
8.7 (55)
 12.10 (82)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		1.5 (11)
4.8 (32)
7.10 (52)
 12.14 (86)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 19

Round 19
Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) North Melbourne def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,594) Report
4.1 (25)
7.5 (47)
14.8 (92)
 19.9 (123)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.3 (21)
3.7 (25)
7.10 (52)
 8.13 (61)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 20

Round 20
Sunday, 16 August (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. Fremantle MCG (crowd: 13,004) Report
4.0 (24)
9.4 (58)
13.5 (83)
 20.7 (127)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		3.4 (22)
4.7 (31)
6.9 (45)
 9.10 (64)		Television broadcast: Foxtel

Round 21

Round 21
Saturday, 22 August (2:10 pm) Carlton def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,433) Report
6.3 (39)
12.5 (77)
18.9 (117)
 24.9 (153)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		4.2 (26)
8.3 (51)
12.4 (76)
 15.6 (96)		Television broadcast: Network Ten

Round 22

Round 22
Sunday, 30 August (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by St Kilda MCG (crowd: 36,748) Report
4.2 (26)
6.5 941)
8.6 (54)
 10.7 (67)		Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		2.2 (14)
7.5 (47)
10.10 (70)
 19.12 (114)		Television broadcast: Seven Network

Notable matches

NAB Cup and NAB Challenge

Week 1: Melbourne looked to be on the verge of causing an upset over the 2008 Premiers, Hawthorn, leading 1.8.8 (65) to 0.5.2 (32) at three-quarter time. However, the Hawks made a successful comeback, keeping the 2008 wooden spooners goal-less in the final quarter as Jarryd Roughead snatched the lead back for Hawthorn with a mark and a goal 30 seconds from full-time.

Home and away season

Round 4: Melbourne registered their first win of the season defeating a winless Richmond by 8 points. Despite holding a 31-point lead at half time, the Demons held off a fast finishing Tigers outfit in the final quarter to secure their first win against a Victorian team since round 22, 2007. It was also Melbourne's first win as the "away" side since round 14, 2007.

Round 10: Melbourne put up a brave first half effort against an undefeated St Kilda, trailing by only 8 points at the main break. However, the Saints kept Melbourne goalless in the second half to finish out comfortable winners by 27 points.

Round 11: In the Queen's Birthday clash, the 2008 number 1 draft pick Jack Watts made his debut against Collingwood. He received a harsh welcoming to the AFL when he came off from the interchange bench for the first time in the game: Watts was immediately crunched by the larger bodies of three Collingwood players while the ball came his direction, [7] as Melbourne suffered its biggest loss for the season (66 points).

Round 12: Liam Jurrah (the first AFL player from a remote tribal community) made his AFL debut, against Essendon. He kicked his first goal with a marking attempt that turned into a falling crumb in the goal-square. This goal was nominated for Goal of the Year. Melbourne were out-classed by the Bombers, losing easily by 48 points.

Round 14: On 2 July, in an emotional press conference, Melbourne president Jim Stynes announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and had to step down as president for the rest of the season. Melbourne played its most emotional game of the year against West Coast and recorded its highest first quarter score of the season. Despite a late charge by the Eagles in the final quarter, Melbourne resisted the attack and won the game by 20 points. After the match, the players headed into the dressing rooms holding up Stynes' infamous number 37 guernsey, which he wore during the 1987 Preliminary Final against Hawthorn. Jack Grimes received the NAB Rising Star nomination for round 14.

Round 15: Melbourne won consecutive games for the first time since round 11, 2007 when it downed Port Adelaide by 11 points, after holding a 30-point lead midway through the third quarter. Liam Jurrah received the NAB Rising Star nomination for Round 15.

Round 18: In a match that was criticised for tanking strategies, Jordan McMahon took a mark in Richmond's forward 50 and goaled after the final siren to give the Tigers a 4-point win. During the game Melbourne coach Dean Bailey placed several players in unusual positions. These included placing ruckman Paul Johnson and midfielder James McDonald in the backline; playing forward Brad Miller in the ruck; placing defenders James Frawley and Matthew Warnock in the forward line, as well as leaving Russell Robertson and Colin Sylvia out of the game for Michael Newton and rookie Jake Spencer. [8]

Round 20: In front of a crowd of only 13,004, Melbourne inflicted its only thrashing of the season against fellow cellar dwellers Fremantle after a blowout in the second quarter to win by 63 points. They would record its first 60-point victory since round 8, 2006 as well as the first time they scored 20 or more goals in a game since round 22, 2007.

Round 22: Veterans Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan played their last ever AFL match, against ladder leaders St Kilda. Melbourne put on another strong first half performance, trailing by only a goal at half time, which included a backwards goal from Liam Jurrah at the start of the quarter. However, St Kilda ran over the top of Melbourne in the second half, winning comfortably by 47 points to secure the minor premiership. Melbourne, on the other hand, received the wooden spoon and ensured that their priority pick would be safe. They had the first and second picks in the 2009 AFL draft.

Ladder

2009 AFL ladder
PosTeam
PldWLDPFPAPPPts
1 St Kilda 22202021971411155.780 Finals series
2 Geelong (P)22184023121815127.472
3 Western Bulldogs 22157023781940122.660
4 Collingwood 22157021741778122.360
5 Adelaide 22148021041789117.656
6 Brisbane Lions 22138120171890106.754
7 Carlton 22139022702055110.552
8 Essendon 22101112080212797.842
9 Hawthorn 2291301962212092.536
10 Port Adelaide 2291301990224488.736
11 West Coast 2281401893202993.332
12 Sydney 2281401888202793.132
13 North Melbourne 2271411680201583.430
14 Fremantle 2261601747225977.324
15 Richmond 2251611774238874.322
16 Melbourne 2241801706228574.716
Source: AFL ladder
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Ladder breakdown by opposition

OpponentPlayedWonLostDrewPremiership pointsPoints forPoints againstPercentage (%)
Fremantle 1100412764198.44
West Coast 21104194182106.59
Richmond 21104182178102.25
Western Bulldogs 101009710493.27
Hawthorn 101009211480.70
Port Adelaide 2110419123780.59
Sydney 10100506873.53
Adelaide 10100345166.67
Essendon 101008313163.36
Carlton 101009615362.75
Geelong 2020013922860.96
St Kilda 2020011319757.36
North Melbourne 2020012822457.14
Collingwood 2020012424351.03
Brisbane Lions 101005611150.45
Total224180161706228574.66

Brownlow Medal

Brownlow Medal tally

Player1 vote games2 vote games3 vote gamesTotal votes
Aaron Davey 111(6)
Colin Sylvia 011(5)
Brent Moloney 011(5)
Nathan Jones 210(4)
Jack Grimes 001(3)
James McDonald 010(2)
Paul Johnson 010(2)
Matthew Bate 010(2)
Brock McLean 100(1)
Shane Valenti 100(1)
Total574(31)

Awards

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)

PositionPlayerVotes
1st Aaron Davey (82)
2nd Brent Moloney (69)
3rd Cameron Bruce (56)
4th Matthew Bate (47)
5th Nathan Jones (44)
5th Colin Sylvia (44)
5th Matthew Warnock (44)
8th James Frawley (43)
10th James McDonald (42)
10th Cale Morton (42)

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy – Aaron Davey

Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (Second in the Best and Fairest) – Brent Moloney

Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (Third in the Best and Fairest) – Cameron Bruce

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

Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (Fifth in the Best and Fairest) – Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Warnock

Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player) – Liam Jurrah

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

Ron Barassi Leadership Award – Brent Moloney

Ian Ridley Club Ambassador Award – Shane Valenti

Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (Coach's Award) – James Frawley

Leading Goalkicker Award – Russell Robertson (29)

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References

  1. ↑ "Melbourne confirms midfielder Jame McDonald as captain". 15 January 2009.
  2. ↑ "Support floods in for Stynes". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 2 July 2009.
  3. ↑ Melbourne Demons Record Profit Herald Sun[ dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Demons achieve profit in 2009 - Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club". Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Motorsport Video |Motorsport Highlights, Replays, News, Clips".
  6. ↑ Cooper, Adam (20 February 2013). "Integrity intact: Demons". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  7. ↑ Baum, Greg (9 June 2009). "Demon diehards applaud their glimpse of the future - RFNews - theage.com.au". The Age. Melbourne.
  8. ↑ "How Melbourne tanked in 2009". Herald Sun. 2 August 2011.
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