HAVING just made our way through the 12 days of Christmas to land here at 12 January, in season 2012, all the signs - and there are 12 in both the Chinese and Western zodiacs - are good for the Melbourne Football Club in the 12 months that lie ahead.

 

The holder of 12 V/AFL premierships - won in 1900, 1926, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964 - the year 1912, while not one for a flag, was a time of great significance to the club. 

 

It was in this year that guernsey numbers became a regular feature of the VFL. 

 

On a noisier note, and following the players’ trip to Tasmania on 12 June, this was the first year in which we heard that it was indeed a ‘grand old flag’.  

 

While there were only nine wins in this season (and nine losses, just to retain the balance), the club song quickly seized hold of the supporters’ collective consciousness, and has now been a part of our rich heritage for a century.

 

Heading back to the matter of guernsey numbers, the No.12 has been a fortuitous one, graced by many great characters, right through to the ever popular Colin Sylvia in the current season. 

 

Preceding him, the list started way back in 1912 with Malcolm Kennedy, whose stay at the club saw him play 17 games in 1911 and 1912. 

 

While his inaugural holder status is his main claim to fame in the No. 12, other identities who have held the number include the likes of Jack Mueller, Stuart Spencer and Todd Viney, all of whom have made a massive mark on the story of the club. 

 

With Mueller and Spencer playing in half a dozen Melbourne premierships between them - Mueller in 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1948, Spencer in 1955 and 1956 - and Viney leading the way for toughness and dedication across his 233 games, the fabric of the No. 12 is an opulent one, and a feature to celebrate as we get set for the ride of season 2012. 

 

Happy New Year to all and here’s to - in the near future - having a baker’s dozen of premierships to celebrate, as the No. 12 makes way for No. 13!