TWELVE Demons have added another chapter in Melbourne’s history books, receiving life membership at the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy on Friday night. 

Premiership players Ken Emselle, Graeme Jacobs, Len Mann, Ken Melville, Ray Nilsson, Brian Roet, Alan Rowarth, Jim Sandral, Barrie Vagg, Athol Webb, Graham Wise and Michael Hibberd were all honoured, following their significant service to the red and blue. 

Much-loved Demons Hassa Mann and Bryan Kenneally were on hand to present the recipients with their framed accolade at the club’s best and fairest event, alongside Melbourne CEO Gary Pert. 

Among those honoured, a trio of two-time premiership players: Melville playing in 1955 and 1956, teammate Webb in 1956 and 1957 and Rowarth achieving success in 1959 and 1960. 

Melville, who made his debut in 1953, had an impressive start to his career at Melbourne, emerging to win the club’s Best and Fairest, as well as the Best First Year Player award. 

Known for his dominance in the centre, Melville earned the vice-captaincy in 1955 before going on to feature in back-to-back success, with the 1956 grand final his last professional game. 

Having missed out on playing alongside Melville in 1955, Webb made up for it in 1956, kicking five goals in the memorable victory over Collingwood. That match also saw Sandral become a premiership player, after entering the grand final at half time as the nineteenth man. It was one of 22 he played across two seasons. 

Webb repeated his strong contribution the following year, finishing with three goals against Essendon and topping the club’s leading goalkicker tally. He totalled 146 majors in 74 games for Melbourne between 1955 and 1959, and was later recognised as a ‘Hero’ for the club’s 150-year anniversary.  

Rowarth, who played his debut season of 1958 alongside Webb, was a standout from day dot, deemed the Best First Year Player. The two seasons that followed saw him play an invaluable full forward role in Melbourne’s finals campaigns, with his trademark being his determination and constant endeavour.  

He finished his career in 1963 with 70 games and 90 goals to his name. 

The 1960 premiership also saw success for Mann and Nilsson. Mann, the cousin of Hassa, had played just four senior games before taking on the role of number one ruck in the finals, going on to be among the best on grand final day. Nilsson also earned his senior chance that year, finding his niche in the forward pocket and as a rover to help the Demons to victory. 

The two played 46 and 41 games respectively, with Nilsson also accumulating 44 goals during his time in the red and blue.  

One of five recognised from the 1964 premiership team, Emselle tallied 97 games and 109 goals across an eight-year career for Melbourne. The son of three-time premiership player Richie, he was known for his roving ability, and still holds the club record for the most goals kicked by the No.10 guernsey. 

Teammate Jacobs, who could move across the forward line and help in the ruck, had a dream start to his career, playing in a premiership in just his sixteenth game. He was also recognised as the Best First Year Player in that same year. Jacobs went on to feature in a total of 36 matches over four seasons with Melbourne (1964-1967), before continuing his career at South Melbourne. 

Roet, commonly known as ‘Doc’ due to studying medicine, had an impressive debut season himself, recognised as the Best First Year Player in 1961, alongside receiving an Outstanding Service award. He played predominantly at centre-half back – although did register one goal across his 88 games in the red and blue.  

Also finishing with a single major was ruckman Wise, who featured 40 times between 1963 and 1966 in the red and blue guernsey. He played 19 games throughout the 1964 season and held the ruck role in his own right, including in the grand final win against Collingwood.  

For Vagg, 1964 marked his third season at Melbourne – one in which he played every game and was part of the memorable finals series. With a beautiful kick, he was the club’s leading goalkicker in the two seasons that followed, adding to his tally of 132 majors over an eight-year period.  

Vagg was selected as part of the club’s 150 Heroes, with life membership further acknowledgement of his contribution to the club. 

The night also marked the first recognition for Melbourne’s 2021 premiership team, who will each be awarded life membership upon retirement. 

Hibberd, who called time on his 12-year career last month, was a key cog to the Demons’ drought-breaking premiership, playing 17 games for the season and returning for the final two matches of the year. He finished with 197 games across two clubs in Melbourne and Essendon. 

The latest recipients join Melbourne’s esteemed list of players, directors, staff and volunteers, who have all had significant impact on the club and its history. 

Melbourne Football Club Life Membership – 2023 recipients 

Ken Emselle, No. 10 
1962 – 1969 | 97 games, 109 goals 
Premiership – 1964 

Graeme Jacobs, No. 20 
1964 – 1967 (Melbourne) | 36 games, 49 goals (Melbourne) 
Premiership – 1964 

Len Mann, No. 34 
1960 – 1964 | 46 games, 5 goals 
Premiership - 1960 

Ken Melville, No. 38 
1953 – 1956 | 71 games, 1 goal 
Premierships – 1955, 1956 

Ray Nilsson, No. 38 
1960 – 1963 (Melbourne) | 41 games, 44 goals (Melbourne) 
Premiership – 1960 

Brian ‘Doc’ Roet, No. 18 (1961 – 1965), 23 (1968) 
1961 – 1965, 1968 | 88 games, 1 goal 
Premiership – 1964 

Alan Rowarth, No. 2 
1958 – 1963 | 70 games, 90 goals 
Premierships – 1959, 1960 

Jim Sandral, No. 8 
1956 – 1957 | 22 games, 2 goals 
Premiership – 1956 

Barrie Vagg, No. 32 
1962 – 1969 | 115 games, 132 goals 
Premiership – 1964 

Athol Webb, No. 15 (No. 5 in 1958 Grand Final) 
1955 – 1959 | 74 games, 146 goals 
Premierships – 1956, 1957 

Graham Wise, No. 23 
1963 – 1966 | 40 games, 1 goal 
Premiership – 1964 

Michael Hibberd, No. 14 
2017 – 2023 (Melbourne) | 113 games, 3 goals (Melbourne) 
Premierships – 2021