IT’S safe to say the 2013 season won’t be reflected on with any fondness for the Melbourne Football Club, as an extremely disappointing season draws to a close.

But it’s important in any trying situation to remain hopeful, find the positives and recognise any achievements that may have been produced along the journey.

In the case of three retiring Demons – Aaron Davey, David Rodan and Joel Macdonald – this season won’t be lauded as their greatest, but they must be acknowledged for their contribution to the game, even in one of the club’s most difficult years.

The trio each carved fine AFL careers, albeit at different levels.

No one gains an AFL career on a platter, but for Davey, Rodan and Macdonald, they have certainly had to work that little bit extra to land on a senior list.

The trio was all overlooked in the draft when first eligible, with Davey having to forge his way onto the rookie list after lighting up the VFL with Port Melbourne.

After surprisingly being overlooked in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft, Davey finally got his chance when Melbourne pounced at No. 3 in the Rookie Draft.

He made an immediate impact – finishing second to former teammate Jared Rivers in the NAB AFL Rising Star in 2004. He later become a best and fairest winner in 2009, and was vice-captain of Melbourne in 2011.

Davey’s impact was so great early in his career that he reignited the small forward position, which in many ways reopened the pathway for the likes of superstar Cyril Rioli in the game.

Davey’s silky skills dazzled the Melbourne faithful and the footy fraternity at large.

He will give the football public one last taste when he represents the Indigenous Australian International Rules series team in October. It will be the third time he has played for his country, after being there in 2005-06.

Rodan was a dual Morrish Medallist – the Brownlow Medal equivalent in the TAC Cup – and was initially overlooked in his first year.

But anyone who witnessed him attempting to land on an AFL list will know the sheer determination he exuded. 

I can still remember watching Rodan at the 2001 NAB AFL Draft Camp (now the Combine) and to this day, there are few players who have matched his tenacity to say ‘pick me’.

It must be remembered this was during a period where ‘smalls’ were almost dismissed by recruiters for a period.

Rodan simply willed his way to getting drafted, as his determination – matched by his attributes – forced an AFL club’s hand. It was Richmond which chose him, and he gave the Tigers good service before his first knee injury.

In fact, he played 47 matches straight from the time he made his AFL debut in round one, 2002.

He later made his mark at Port Adelaide, and the fact that he played all 25 matches and was in the Power’s Grand Final team in 2007 after being delisted by the Tigers, was a feather in his cap. He claimed 401 disposals and finished sixth in Port Adelaide’s best and fairest that year.

Macdonald was claimed as a local rookie with the Lions, with West Coast believed to be the only club to have genuine interest at first.

He made an impact though when he made his AFL debut for the Lions in 2004 – impressing on Essendon great James Hird in just his third game – and he was later on the cusp of selection, being an emergency for the Grand Final team that year.

Macdonald was a hard-at-it player. He offered good direction and leadership in the back half, and he was a gritty performer.

The fact that the trio has managed 487 matches combined – and more than 500 games when taking into account pre-season and representative appearances – it’s a mighty effort.

Sometimes those achievements need to be reflected upon with a sense of achievement, especially when the football world moves on quickly than a Formula 1 vehicle.

Each player also had to overcome several injuries throughout their career. All had knee problems at some point. Rodan’s knee forced his final hand in his career, after he had several major operations. He also underwent two lots of LARS surgery.

But each player can hold their head high and leave the club knowing they made the most of their opportunities.

Few players growing up playing the game reach the highest level. Only some flourish or forge a genuine career. But the trio managed to play 10 seasons or more, and they currently sit in the top 1,488 players to play the game in terms of matches played.

Out of 12,227 players to have played at least one VFL/AFL match – that’s a fair achievement.  

They also each managed to play at least 10 seasons or more, which is excellent.  

And they should be acknowledged for their contribution to the game and the Melbourne Football Club.