LETTER FROM JACK VINEY TO MELBOURNE MEMBERS
Dear members and supporters,
I wanted you to be the first to know that I’ll officially be a Demon for life. Today I agreed to a contract extension that will see me pull on the red and blue all the way through until 2028. Let’s be honest, I was never going anywhere.
This footy club has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Melbourne is more than just a club to me – it’s home. The connection I feel to the jumper, its history, and our passionate supporters runs so deep, and I am incredibly proud to continue on this journey with you all.
I have created some special memories over the past 12 seasons and formed some amazing bonds. The love and respect I have for my teammates and coaches, as well as the staff and the whole club, is unrivalled.
Working and learning alongside my coach Goody, skipper Max and the broader leaders continues to be a privilege, and I am so thankful for the way our club focuses on growing us not only as players but as people.
On a personal note, my family absolutely loves being around this football club. My wife Charlotte, along with our daughters Mila and Chloe, have formed their own strong bonds, and singing the song in the rooms with them after a win never gets old. I’m excited for my daughters to create further memories here, and who knows, maybe one day we’ll even see them running out in the red and blue for the Melbourne AFLW team!
The support that we’ve received from you, our incredible members, has been unwavering as always. I know it hasn’t been the year we all had hoped for, but we have a real opportunity to finish our season on Friday night in a manner that makes you all proud to belong. As Goody has said publicly, this week is another chance for us to really show what we are made of us a football club.
Today, the boys heard from Melbourne royalty in Hassa Mann. This weekend he and some of his 1964 premiership winning teammates, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their flag. We will honour them as part of the pre-game, and let’s acknowledge the legacy they’ve left on our club by filling the stands with red and blue. Hassa spoke to the strong rivalry between us and the Pies and expressed how much it would mean to him and his teammates if we can get the win.
It's also Member Thank You Round, where we can acknowledge you, the heart of our footy club. It’s something we speak about a lot, making you all proud to belong, and it means a lot to the group to feel your support behind us.
Friday will also be a chance to honour the great Big Ben Brown, who will do a lap of honour with his family at half-time. It will also be Alex Neal-Bullen’s final game in the red and blue and a chance to say thank you for his contribution to our club.
So fair to say we’ve got a lot to play for.
Whilst there is a lot of hard work ahead, there’s also undoubtedly a lot of good times to come. I have full faith in this group and this club. The challenge on Friday night and beyond, is one we will tackle head on. And if there’s one thing Dad taught me, it’s that when you tackle, you tackle with intent.
Go Dees!
Jack Viney
