2008 Melbourne Football Club season

The 2008 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 109th year in the VFL/AFL.

Melbourne Football Club
2008 season
Colin Sylvia during the 2008 season
PresidentPaul Gardiner
(6th season)
(to 9 June)
Jim Stynes
(from 12 June)
CoachDean Bailey
(1st season)
Captain(s)David Neitz
(9th season)
(rounds 1–5)
James McDonald
(1st season)
(rounds 6–22)
Cameron Bruce
(1st season)
(rounds 6–22)
Home groundMCG
(100,018 capacity)
Pre-seasonFirst round
AFL season16th
Finals seriesDNQ
Best and fairestCameron Bruce
Leading goalkickerBrad Miller
(26 goals)
Highest home attendance59,548
(round 11 vs. Collingwood)
Lowest home attendance11,437
(round 13 vs. Sydney)
Average home attendance30,777
Club membership29,619
( 1,542 / 5.49%)
← 2007 2009 →

In conjunction with the AFL celebrating 150 years since the sport of Australian rules football was first created, the Melbourne Football Club also celebrated its 150th anniversary since its foundation in 1858.[1] This included the celebration of their "150 Heroes", which commemorated the 150 greatest contributing players to ever play for Melbourne.[2] Despite the celebrations, the Demons were tarnished by major on and off field disasters that led to the resignation of Paul Gardiner as chairman of the club and installation of Jim Stynes midway through the season. During August, Jim Stynes attempted to eliminate Melbourne of its major debt with a program called "Debt Demolition".[3]

Melbourne hosted 10 of its 11 games at the MCG, which included its first "home game" against the Brisbane Lions outside of the Gabba since 2000. They also played a home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital Canberra against the Sydney Swans during Round 13. Dean Bailey coached his first year as senior coach at Melbourne. David Neitz captained his ninth year for the Demons, however after aggravating a disc in his neck during the Round 5 clash against Carlton,[4] he announced his retirement on 19 May.[5] For the remainder of the year, the captaincy was shared between Cameron Bruce and James McDonald.[6]

Melbourne's horrid year on-field form caused them to win only three matches and ensured they received their 11th wooden spoon.

2008 list changes

2007 trades
Trade gained Traded from Trade lost
Pick 14Brisbane LionsTravis Johnstone
John MeesenAdelaidePick 37

Retirements and delistings
Player New club League Reason Ref
Nathan D. BrownWest AdelaideSANFLRetired
Clint BizzellUnknownUnknownRetired
Byron PickettPort Adelaide MagpiesSANFLRetired
Ryan FergusonWest AdelaideSANFLDelisted
Heath NevilleHobartTSLDelisted[7]
Shane NeavesWest AdelaideSANFLDelisted[8]
Daniel HayesUnknownUnknownDelisted
Simon GodfreyNorwoodEastern Football LeagueDelisted
Daniel WardUnknownUnknownDelisted

National draft
Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from
14Cale MortonForward/MidfieldClaremontWAFL
114Jack GrimesDefender/MidfieldNorthern KnightsTAC Cup
221Addam MaricForwardCalder CannonsTAC Cup
453Kyle CheneyDefenderNorth Ballarat RebelsTAC Cup
566Tom McNamaraDefenderSouth AdelaideSANFL

Pre-season draft
Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from
13Stefan MartinRuckman/DefenderSandringhamVFL

Rookie draft
Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from
13Trent ZomerUtilityEastern RangesTAC Cup
219Austin WonaeamirriForwardSt Mary's Football Club
Norwood		NTFL
SANFL
335Jake SpencerRuckmanRedland BombersQAFL
449Shane ValentiMidfieldSandringhamVFL

2008 squad
Melbourne Football Club
Senior list Rookie List Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

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

2008 season
Week 1
Round 1
Saturday, 16 February (4:40 pm) Geelong def. Melbourne Skilled Stadium (crowd: 15,000 est)
0.8.1 (49)
1.12.4 (85)
1.15.7 (106)
 2.22.11 (161)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 0.2.4 (16)
1.4.4 (37)
2.8.5 (71)
 2.11.5 (89)		 Umpires: Rosebury, Nicholls, Sully, Kamolins
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Byrnes, Wojcinski Super Goals Buckley, Garland
Johnson 6, Lonergan 2, Gamble 2, Davenport 2, Kelly 2, Byrnes, Ablett, Stokes, Hunt, Prismall, Milburn, Mooney, Wojcinski Goals Newton 2, Garland 2, Valenti , Meesen , Sylvia, Zomer, Green, Weetra, Robertson
Johnson, Prismall, Ling, Stokes, Milburn, Mooney, Bartel, Wojcinski, Kelly Best Jones, Buckley, Valenti, Garland
Ablett (calf) Injuries

Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws

Week 2
Week 2
Friday, 22 Feb (7:30 pm) Richmond def. Melbourne Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 5,321)
5.3 (33)
6.4 (40)
11.5 (71)
 14.10 (94)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.3 (15)
5.5 (35)
6.9 (45)
 8.11 (59)		 Umpires: Kamolins, Armstrong, Kennedy
Television broadcast: none
Pettifer 3, Schulz 2, Hughes 2, Howat 2, Pattison, Foley, Morton, Brown, Raines Goals Newton 2, Bartram, Petterd, Green, Maric, Weetra, Davey
Pettifer, Newman, Simmonds, Tambling, Foley, Bowden Best Newton, Jones, Davey, Sylvia, Johnson, Valenti

Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws

Week 3
Week 3
Friday, 29 Feb (7:00 pm) Western Bulldogs def. Melbourne Queen Elizabeth Oval (crowd: 7000 est)
2.3 (15)
8.4 (52)
11.7 (73)
 14.9 (93)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 5.4 (34)
6.6 (42)
9.9 (63)
 9.9 (63)		 Umpires: Head, Kamolins, Mollison
Television broadcast: none
Murphy 2, Akermanis 2, Eagleton, Minson, O'Keefe, Ward, Hahn, Johnson, Boyd, Mulligan, Griffen, Welsh Goals Davey 2, Robertson 2, Neitz 2, Bate 2, Jones
Akermanis, Eagleton, Higgins, Hill, Cooney, Johnson Best Davey, Jones, Bate, Yze, Buckley, Sylvia
Reports Robertson (charging)
  • 13 minutes into the last quarter a power failure caused a black-out of the stadium. The match was therefore abandoned with the Western Bulldogs leading Melbourne 14.9.93 to 9.9.63.[9]


Record: 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws

Week 4
Week 4
Saturday, 5 Mar (2:00 pm) Melbourne def. by North Melbourne Casey Fields (crowd: 6000+ est)
6.3 (39)
8.4 (52)
10.8 (68)
 14.10 (94)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 6.4 (40)
11.7 (73)
19.11 (125)
 22.14 (146)		 Television broadcast: none


Record: 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws

Round 1
Round 1
Sunday, 23 Mar (4:40 pm) Hawthorn def. Melbourne MCG (crowd: 40,141)
5.5 (35)
7.10 (52)
15.12 (102)
 23.16 (154)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 1.1 (7)
1.5 (11)
2.10 (22)
 6.14 (50)		 Umpires: Farmer, Kennedy, Nicholls
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Franklin 6, Roughead 3, Osborne 3, Dew 2, Boyle 2, Stokes 2, Campbell 2, Taylor, Young, Rioli Goals Robertson 3, Green 2, Newton
Bateman, Franklin, Mitchell, Gilham, Osborne, Ladson, Dew, Birchall Best Jones, Buckley, Green, Moloney
Croad (wrist) Injuries
  • Melbourne lost its first game by over 100 points since Round 18, 1997.


Debut(s): Cale Morton, Isaac Weetra
Brownlow Votes: 1. Chance Bateman (Hawthorn), 2. Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), 3. Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) [11]
Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 2
Round 2
Saturday, 29 Mar (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Western Bulldogs MCG (crowd: 27,821)
2.4 (16)
5.8 (38)
7.9 (51)
 9.12 (66)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.5 (17)
9.9 (63)
18.13 (121)
 24.17 (161)		 Umpires: Farmer, Kamolins, Ryan
Television broadcast: Network Ten
Neitz 2, White 2, Robertson 2, Davey, Green, Jones Goals Murphy 4, Hill 3, Welsh 3, Akermanis 3, Johnson 3, Cross 3, Giansiracusa, Wight, Gilbee, Hahn, Griffen
Wheatley, McDonald, Jones, Green, Carroll Best Cross, West, Murphy, Cooney, Hill, Gilbee, Griffen, Boyd

Milestone(s): James McDonald (200th AFL game) [12]
Brownlow Votes: 1. Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), 2. Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), 3. Scott West (Western Bulldogs) [13]
Record: 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 3
Round 3
Sunday, 6 April (1:10 pm) Geelong def. Melbourne Skilled Stadium (crowd: 23,569)
4.4 (28)
8.11 (59)
13.14 (92)
 16.16 (112)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 3.4 (22)
6.6 (42)
10.8 (68)
 12.10 (82)		 Umpires: Wenn, Sully, Ryan
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Hawkins 5, Mooney 2, Ling 2, Johnson 2, Blake, Ablett, Stokes, Milburn, Chapman Goals Bruce 3, Dunn 2, Morton 2, Miller, Wheatley, Neitz, White, Green
Corey, Bartel, Hawkins, Ling, Chapman, Taylor Best Morton, Johnson, Wheatley, Bruce, Green
  • Geelong finally unraveled its 2007 AFL premiership flag at the ground.[14]
  • 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 (Geelong), 2. Tom Hawkins (Geelong), 3. Paul Chapman (Geelong) [15]
Record: 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 4
Round 4
Saturday, 12 April (2:10 pm) North Melbourne def. Melbourne MCG (crowd: 23,427)
4.8 (32)
8.11 (59)
13.15 (93)
 18.19 (117)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 1.0 (6)
3.6 (24)
5.10 (40)
 11.13 (79)		 Umpires: Farmer, Armstrong, McInerney
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Thompson 5, Edwards 3, Thomas 3, Campbell 2, Jones 2, Grant, Harvey, Smith Goals Robertson 3, Wonaeamirri 2, Davey , Dunn, Jamar, McLean, Wheatley, White
Harvey, Wells, Rawlings, Thompson, Edwards, Power, Power, Campbell, Firrito Best Davey, McDonald, Green
Gibson (knee) Injuries
Reports Miller (charging)


Brownlow Votes: 1. Daniel Wells (North Melbourne), 2. Nathan Thompson (North Melbourne), 3. Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) [17]
Record: 0 Wins, 4 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 5
Round 5
Sunday, 20 April (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Carlton MCG (crowd: 44,159)
1.3 (9)
4.5 (29)
4.9 (33)
 9.14 (68)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 3.3 (21)
10.6 (66)
12.10 (82)
 15.11 (101)		 Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Schmitt
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Green 4, Robertson 2, Jamar, Jones, McDonald Goals Fevola 7, Judd 3, Fisher , Kreuzer, Ó hAilpín, Murphy, Pfeiffer
Bruce, Green, McLean, White, McDonald Best Judd, Scotland, Kreuzer, Waite, Carrazzo
Neitz (neck/shoulder) Injuries Bannister (hamstring), Gibbs
Whelan (striking) Reports Thornton (striking)
  • This game marked David Neitz's last ever AFL match, due to a neck injury sustained during the second quarter when Jarrad Waite laid a heavy tackle on him.[18]


Milestone(s): Daniel Bell (50th AFL game) [19]
Brownlow Votes: 1. Brendan Fevola (Carlton), 2. Jarrad Waite (Carlton), 3. Chris Judd (Carlton) [20]
Record: 0 Wins, 5 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 6
Round 6
Sunday, 27 April (1:10 pm) Brisbane Lions def. Melbourne Gabba (crowd: 22,878)
3.6 (24)
10.13 (73)
15.17 (107)
 19.23 (137)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.1 (13)
5.2 (32)
8.3 (51)
 13.7 (85)		 Umpires: Nicholls, Head, Armstrong
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Bradshaw 6, Hooper 4, Corrie 3, Johnstone 2, Brown 2, Adcock, Rischitelli Goals Jones 4, Wonaeamirri 3, Miller 2 , Sylvia 2, Green, Robertson
Black, Power, Corrie, Macdonald, Brennan, Hooper Best Jones, Green, Moloney, Bruce, Wonaeamirri, Jamar
Injuries Sylvia (shoulder)

Brownlow Votes: 1. Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions), 2. Anthony Corrie (Brisbane Lions), 3. Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) [21]
Record: 0 Wins, 6 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 7
Round 7
Sunday, 4 May (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. Fremantle MCG (crowd: 19,423)
1.3 (9)
3.8 (26)
8.15 (63)
 17.17 (119)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 5.6 (36)
11.10 (76)
13.17 (95)
 15.23 (113)		 Umpires: James, Stewart, Avon
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Wonaeamirri 4, Robertson 4, Davey 3, Miller 3, Green 2, Moloney Goals Pavlich 5, Tarrant 3, Farmer 2 , Palmer, Bell, Ibbotson, Mundy, Solomon
McLean, Wonaeamirri, Robertson, Davey, Miller, Bruce, Green Best Pavlich, Solomon, Palmer, Sandilands, Bell, Ibbotson, Tarrant
Injuries McPharlin (corked buttock), Headland (knee)
  • Trailing by as much as 51 points at the start of the third quarter, Melbourne kicked 14 goal to 4 in the second half to win by 6 points and give Dean Bailey a historical first win as a senior coach.
  • 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.[22]


Brownlow Votes: 1. Jeff White (Melbourne), 2. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), 3. Brock McLean (Melbourne) [23]
Record: 1 Win, 6 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 8
Round 8
Sunday, 18 May (12:40 pm) Adelaide def. Melbourne AAMI Stadium (crowd: 35,649)
8.1 (49)
12.6 (78)
15.15 (105)
 22.18 (150)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 4.4 (28)
6.5 (41)
7.7 (49)
 11.8 (74)		 Umpires: Fila, Meredith, Ellis
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Burton 5, Tippett 4, Goodwin 3, Jericho 3, Porplyzia 3, Stevens, Knights, van Berlo, Vince Goals Morton 3, Robertson 2, Wonaeamirri, Miller, Moloney, Garland, Bartram, Bate
Burton, Vince, Tippett, Porplyzia, van Berlo, Goodwin, Bock, Shirley Best Bartram, Buckley, Jones, Morton
Massie (hamstring) Injuries Rivers

Debut(s):Shane Valenti
Brownlow Votes: 1. Brett Burton (Adelaide), 2. Bernie Vince (Adelaide), 3. Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide) [24]
Record: 1 Win, 7 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 9
Round 9
Sunday, 25 May (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Hawthorn MCG (crowd: 41,341)
4.3 (27)
6.4 (40)
9.5 (59)
 12.6 (78)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 3.3 (21)
4.7 (31)
10.9 (69)
 14.13 (97)		 Umpires: James, Grun, Armstrong
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Holland 3, Robertson 2, Wonaeamirri 2, Jones 2, Johnson , Davey, Bruce Goals Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Williams 3, Ladson, Campbell, Roughead, Ellis, Clarke
McLean, Bate, Davey, Holland, Wonaeamirri, Moloney Best Bateman, Rioli, Campbell, Birchall, Mitchell, Franklin
White (back), Robertson (thigh), Holland (shoulder) Injuries Lewis (thigh), Dew (hamstring)


Brownlow Votes: 1. Brock McLean (Melbourne), 2. Brad Sewell (Hawthorn), 3. Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) [26]
Record: 1 Win, 8 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 10
Round 10
Sunday, 1 June (2:10 pm) St Kilda def. Melbourne Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,854)
5.4 (34)
10.6 (66)
12.12 (84)
 19.15 (129)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.2 (14)
3.4 (22)
3.6 (24)
 7.8 (50)		 Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Head
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Schneider 5, Milne 3, Birss 2, Koschitzke 2, Riewoldt , Dal Santo, Gram, Ball, Jones, Montagna, Dempster Goals Yze 3, Dunn, Robertson , Sylvia, Bruce
Ball, Fisher, Gram, Dal Santo, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt Best Mcdonald, McLean, Bruce, Warnock, Garland
Injuries Robertson (achilles), Bate (hand)
  • Russell Robertson's season would end pre-maturely after rupturing an Achilles tendon during the game.[27]


Milestone(s): Brad Miller (100th AFL game) [28]
Brownlow Votes: 1. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), 2. Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda), 3. Luke Ball (St Kilda) [29]
Record: 1 Win, 9 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 11
Round 11
Monday, 9 June (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Collingwood MCG (crowd: 59,548)
4.1 (25)
7.4 (46)
11.9 (75)
 13.17 (95)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 3.2 (20)
8.5 (53)
15.8 (98)
 17.14 (116)		 Umpires: Vosso, Farmer, Meredith
Television broadcast: Network Ten
Wonaeamirri 3, Sylvia 3, Yze 2, Green 2, Dunn , Jones, McLean Goals Didak 2, Shaw 2, Lockyer 2, Davis 2, Fraser, Johnson, Medhurst, Brown, Swan, Wellingham, O'Brien, Cox, Thomas
McLean, Jones, Bruce, Yze, Warnock, Dunn Best Burns, Didak, Lockyer, Maxwell, O'Brien, Bryan
Rivers (groin), Moloney (shoulder) Injuries Rocca (ankle), Pendlebury (back), Cook


Brownlow Votes: 1. Adem Yze (Melbourne), 2. Scott Burns (Collingwood), 3. Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood) [32]
Record: 1 win, 10 losses, 0 draws
Ladder position: 16th

Round 12
Round 12
Sunday, 15 June (4:40 pm) Richmond def. Melbourne Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,348)
3.6 (24)
11.13 (79)
13.15 (93)
 16.20 (116)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 5.3 (33)
6.5 (41)
11.8 (74)
 14.10 (94)		 Umpires: Sully, Nicholls, Ryan
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Richardson 5, Brown 3, Morton 2, Cotchin 2, Polak, Simmonds, Tuck, White Goals Miller 3, Bartram 2, Bruce 2, Davey 2, Bate, Garland, Green, White, Wonaeamirri
Richardson, Deledio, Brown, Tuck, Cotchin, Polak Best Bruce, Wheatley, McLean, Miller, White, Garland

Brownlow Votes: 1. Brock McLean (Melbourne), 2. Brett Deledio (Richmond), 3. Matthew Richardson (Richmond) [33]
Record: 1 Win, 11 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 13
Round 13
Sunday, 22 June (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Sydney Manuka Oval (crowd: 11,437)
2.2 (14)
5.3 (33)
10.5 (65)
 11.8 (74)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 7.2 (44)
10.5 (65)
12.10 (82)
 17.12 (114)		 Umpires: Sully, Grun, Head
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Bate 4, Wonaeamirri 3, Bruce, Johnson, McLean, Miller Goals Hall 5, Buchanan 2, Mattner 2, O'Loughlin 2, Goodes, Jolly, Malceski, O'Keefe, Playfair, Roberts-Thomson
Bate, Dunn, Green, Johnson, Garland, Johnson Best Hall, Kirk Mattner, Jolly, Bolton, O'Loughlin

Brownlow Votes: 1. Matthew Bate (Melbourne), 2. Barry Hall (Sydney), 3. Brett Kirk (Sydney) [34]
Record: 1 Win, 12 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 14
Round 14
Sunday, 29 June (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. Brisbane Lions MCG (crowd: 23,278)
5.4 (34)
6.6 (42)
10.8 (68)
 14.9 (93)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.3 (15)
5.9 (39)
9.13 (67)
 13.14 (92)		 Umpires: Head, Armstrong, Jeffery
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Sylvia 4, Miller 4, Wonaeamirri 2, Bruce 2, Bate, Green Goals Brown 5, Bradshaw 4, Hooper 2, Patfull, Rischitelli
Wheatley, Green, Johnson, Miller, Sylvia, Whelan, Jones Best Power, Brown Rischitelli, Bradshaw, Black
McLean (ankle) Injuries Johnstone (hamstring)


Debut(s): Stefan Martin
Brownlow Votes: 1. Chris Johnson (Melbourne), 2. Paul Wheatley (Melbourne), 3. Brad Green (Melbourne) [36]
Record: 2 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 15
Round 15
Sunday, 13 July (2:10 pm) Western Bulldogs def. Melbourne Telstra Dome (crowd: 27,446)
3.2 (20)
7.4 (46)
12.7 (79)
 14.11 (95)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 1.0 (6)
4.2 (26)
5.6 (36)
 9.10 (64)		 Umpires: Farmer, McLaren, Keating
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Akermanis 3, Minson 3, Eagleton 2, Giansiracusa 2, Hahn 2, Harbrow, Cross Goals Miller 3, Green 2, Dunn, Johnson, Buckley, Newton
Cross, Boyd, Lake, Gilbee, Akermanis, Eagleton, Hill, Everitt Best Bruce, Garland, Johnson, Wheatley, Martin, Miller
Welsh (back) Injuries

Brownlow Votes: 1. Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs), 2. Cameron Bruce (Melbourne), 3. Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) [37]
Record: 2 Wins, 13 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 16
Round 16
Sunday, 20 July (2:40 pm) Fremantle def. Melbourne Subiaco (crowd: 31,638)
0.2 (2)
5.9 (39)
11.15 (81)
 16.18 (114)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 5.1 (31)
6.3 (39)
7.5 (47)
 10.8 (68)		 Umpires: Kennedy, Hendrie, Avon
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Pavlich 5, McPharlin 3, Ibbotson, Schammer, Carr, McManus, O'Brien, Sandilands, Tarrant, Peake Goals Morton 2, Miller 2, Bate 2, Newton 2, Johnson, Jamar
Pavlich, Schammer, Ibbotson, Crowley, McPharlin, McManus Best Johnson, Wheatley, Buckley, Bruce, Bate, Jones
O'Brien (hamstring) Injuries

Brownlow Votes: 1. Michael Johnson (Fremantle), 2. Antoni Grover (Fremantle), 3. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) [38]
Record: 2 Wins, 14 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 17
Round 17
Sunday, 27 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by North Melbourne MCG (crowd: 21,330)
1.3 (9)
3.4 (22)
6.8 (44)
 10.10 (70)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 7.3 (45)
9.6 (60)
11.9 (75)
 14.14 (98)		 Umpires: McLaren, Fila, Hendrie,
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Miller 3, Newton 2, Davey, Valenti, Johnson, Sylvia, Morton Goals Thomas 5, Jones 4, Harvey 2, Petrie, Hale, Campbell
Buckley, Jones, Valenti, Davey, McDonald, Johnson Best Harvey, Hale, Jones, Thomas, Gibson, Simpson, Rawlings
Dunn (striking) Reports

Debut(s): Addam Maric
Brownlow Votes: 1. Simon Buckley (Melbourne), 2. Adam Simpson (North Melbourne), 3. Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) [39]
Record: 2 Wins, 15 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 18
Round 18
Saturday, 2 August (2:10 pm) Essendon def. Melbourne MCG (crowd: 46,334)
3.1 (19)
9.6 (60)
14.8 (92)
 19.10 (124)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.2 (14)
7.3 (45)
11.5 (71)
 17.6 (108)		 Umpires: Kennedy, Sully, Fila
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Lloyd 8, Monfries 3, McPhee 2, Lovett 2, Atkinson, Reimers, Slattery, Jetta Goals Morton 3, Sylvia 3, Maric 2, Bate 2, Bartram, Green, Buckley, Davey, Johnson, Jamar, Wonaeamirri
Lloyd, Hille, Monfries, Fletcher, McPhee, Peverill, Lovett-Murray, Nash Best McDonald, Sylvia, Morton, Garland, Dunn, Bate, Bruce
Reimers (hamstring) Injuries Garland (hamstring), Davey (heel)


Brownlow Votes: 1. Adam McPhee (Essendon), 2. Cale Morton (Melbourne), 3. Matthew Lloyd (Essendon) [40]
Record: 2 Wins, 16 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 19
Round 19
Friday, 8 August (7:05 pm) Melbourne def. by Geelong MCG (crowd: 34,610)
0.0 (0)
1.3 (9)
2.6 (18)
 5.11 (41)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 8.5 (53)
12.7 (79)
19.10 (124)
 24.13 (157)		 Umpires: Donlon, Kennedy, Ryan
Television broadcast: Seven Network
Valenti 2, Johnson, Johnson, Wonaeamirri Goals Morton 4, Stokes 4, Prismall 3, Ablett 2, Bartel 2, Ling 2, Mackie 2, Blake, Gamble, Johnson, Mooney, Selwood
Whelan, Wheatley, Maric, Martin Best Mackie, Ling, Selwood, Corey, Scarlett, Prismall


Brownlow Votes: 1. Joel Corey (Geelong), 2. Joel Selwood (Geelong), 3. Andrew Mackie (Geelong) [45]
Record: 2 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 20
Round 20
Saturday, 16 August (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. West Coast MCG (crowd: 17,598)
1.3 (9)
5.7 (37)
8.12 (60)
 11.13 (79)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.2 (14)
4.5 (29)
5.10 (40)
 5.15 (45)		 Umpires: Ryan, Ellis, Nicholls
Television broadcast: Network Ten
Bruce 2, Newton 2, Bartram, Bate, Green, Johnson, Miller, Morton, Sylvia Goals McKinley 2, Armstrong, LeCras, Lynch
Bruce, Wheatley, Morton, Green, McDonald, Whelan, Buckley, Jones Best Armstrong, Cox, Embley, Mackenzie
Injuries Wilkes (neck)


Brownlow Votes: 1. Dean Cox (West Coast), 2. Cale Morton (Melbourne), 3. Paul Wheatley (Melbourne) [47]
Record: 3 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 21
Round 21
Saturday, 23 August (2:40 pm) Port Adelaide def. Melbourne AAMI Stadium (crowd: 18,875)
6.6 (42)
9.10 (64)
10.17 (77)
 18.21 (129)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 1.0 (6)
2.4 (16)
4.8 (32)
 7.9 (51)		 Umpires: Margetts, Head, Keating
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Motlop 5, Westhoff 2, Westhoff 2, Lade 2, Burgoyne 2, Pearce 2, Rodan, Cassisi, Boak Goals Miller 2, Bruce, Bate, Wonaeamirri, Jamar, Newton
Burgoyne, Burgoyne, Cassisi, Motlop, Logan, Brogan, Pearce Best Wheatley, Buckley, McDonald, Garland, Morton
Chaplin (knee) Injuries

Brownlow Votes: 1. Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), 2. Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide), 3. Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide) [48]
Record: 3 Wins, 18 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Round 22
Round 22
Sunday, 31 August (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Richmond MCG (crowd: 37,046)
2.1 (13)
3.1 (19)
4.4 (28)
 6.5 (41)		 Q1
Q2
Q3
 Final		 2.5 (17)
8.9 (57)
12.10 (82)
 18.13 (121)		 Umpires: Margetts, Ryan, Ellis
Television broadcast: Seven Network
White 2, Green, Holland, Sylvia, Whelan Goals Deledio 4, Bowden 3, Jackson 2, Riewoldt 2, Connors, Foley, McMahon, Morton, Tivendale, Tuck, White
Yze, Whelan, Bruce, Warnock, Garland Best Bowden, Tuck, Newman, Deledio, Foley, McGuane, Johnson, McMahon
Sylvia (ankle), Petterd (hamstring) Injuries Connors
Miller (wrestling) Reports Morton (wrestling)


Debut(s): Jack Grimes
Milestone(s): Nathan Jones (50th AFL game)
Brownlow Votes: 1. Shane Tuck (Richmond), 2. Brett Deledio (Richmond), 3. Joel Bowden (Richmond) [50]
Record: 3 Wins, 19 Losses, 0 Draws
Ladder Position: 16th

Ladder
2008 AFL ladder
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts
1 Geelong 22 21 1 0 2672 1651 161.8 84 Finals series
2 Hawthorn (P) 22 17 5 0 2434 1846 131.9 68
3 Western Bulldogs 22 15 6 1 2506 2112 118.7 62
4 St Kilda 22 13 9 0 2126 1923 110.6 52
5 Adelaide 22 13 9 0 2017 1838 109.7 52
6 Sydney 22 12 9 1 2095 1863 112.5 50
7 North Melbourne 22 12 9 1 2121 2187 97.0 50
8 Collingwood 22 12 10 0 2267 2038 111.2 48
9 Richmond 22 11 10 1 2228 2288 97.4 46
10 Brisbane Lions 22 10 12 0 2156 2200 98.0 40
11 Carlton 22 10 12 0 2217 2354 94.2 40
12 Essendon 22 8 14 0 2130 2608 81.7 32
13 Port Adelaide 22 7 15 0 2118 2208 95.9 28
14 Fremantle 22 6 16 0 1988 2121 93.7 24
15 West Coast 22 4 18 0 1670 2535 65.9 16
16 Melbourne 22 3 19 0 1629 2602 62.6 12
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 (%)
West Coast110047945175.56
Fremantle2110418722782.38
Brisbane Lions2110417923077.83
Essendon1010010812487.10
Collingwood101009511681.90
Carlton101006810167.33
North Melbourne2020014922566.22
Sydney101007411464.91
Richmond2020013523756.96
Hawthorn2020012825151.00
Western Bulldogs2020013025650.78
Adelaide101007415049.33
Geelong2020012326945.72
Port Adelaide101005112939.53
St Kilda101005012938.76
Total223190121629260162.61

Awards

Brownlow Medal tally
Player1 vote games2 vote games3 vote gamesTotal votes
Paul Wheatley011(5)
Brock McLean201(5)
Cale Morton020(4)
Brad Green100(3)
Cameron Bruce010(2)
Chris Johnson100(1)
Jeff White100(1)
Adem Yze100(1)
Matthew Bate100(1)
Simon Buckley100(1)
Total743(24)

Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)
PositionPlayerVotes
1stCameron Bruce(75)
2ndBrock McLean(60)
3rdBrad Green(57)
4thMatthew Warnock(47)
5thJames McDonald(46)
6thBrad Miller(40)
6thCale Morton(40)
8thClint Bartram(39)
8thPaul Wheatley(39)
8thAustin Wonaeamirri(39)

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:[2]

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.[51] 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.[52]

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.[25] 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,[31] 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.[53] 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 dollars to be considered a 150 Foundation Hero.[3]

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.[54] 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.[55] 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.[56] 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.[57]

On 26 August, Melbourne announced Cameron Schwab as their new CEO.[58] 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.[59] 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.[59] They continued with the Debt Demolition campaign in August 2009, finishing the year with a debt of $1.5 million,[60] 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.[61]

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