OVER the past 20 years, Melbourne has had some iconic names pull on the red and blue guernsey.
Neitz, Bruce, Davey, Green, Robertson, Yze, White; to name a few.
And while they’re the Demons who will be remembered forever, and rightfully so, it’s time to reflect on those who have also played a part in the club’s history – just to a lesser extent.
Reminisce on some obscure names who have taken the field since the year 2000:
Steven Armstrong
One of four premiership players on this list.
Unfortunately, that was with the Eagles.
Drafted with pick No.25 in 2001, Steven Armstrong played 43 of his 79 career games with Melbourne, before returning home to Perth.
Peter Vardy
Peter Vardy is another who achieved the ultimate glory in his AFL career, doing so with the Crows in 1998.
The natural goal kicker, who played his first 96 games with Adelaide, finished his career with the Demons, pulling on the guernsey 41 times from 2002.
Scott Thompson
Scott Thompson will go down as one of the league’s great midfielders, playing 308 matches and falling one vote short of the Brownlow Medal in 2012.
But all that success goes to the Crows, with few acknowledging his first 39 games for Melbourne before requesting a trade home.
Ryan Ferguson
Recruited out of the VFL, Ryan Ferguson’s senior career got off to a promising start in 2003, debuting in Round 1 and winning the club’s best first-year player award with 17 games under his belt.
The reliable 197cm defender went on to play 47 matches before being delisted in 2007.
Chris Heffernan
A well-known name, but not so as a Dee.
Chris Heffernan started and ended his career with Essendon, but spent three years at Melbourne in between playing 47 of his 170 AFL games for the club.
Nathan Carroll
While he displayed some of the most outrageous hairstyles seen on an AFL field, Nathan Carroll was a reliable performer who became a constant in the Melbourne defence from 2006.
The strong key-position player manned some dangerous opposition forwards and was a popular figure across his six-year career.
Shannon Motlop
Shannon Motlop had football in his veins.
The brother of Daniel Motlop (North Melbourne and Port Adelaide) and Steven Motlop (Geelong and Port Adelaide) played 10 games for the Dees across 2005 and 2006, after winning a premiership with North Melbourne in his debut season.
Paul Johnson
Usually seen with a glove, Paul Johnson was a 199cm ruckman who played 70 games at the top level.
While he may have received more opportunity if it wasn’t for Jeff White and Mark Jamar, Johnson was a hard worker who started his career with the Eagles and ended it with the Hawks.
Michael Newton
Michael Newton is one who will remain in the record books after clunking the 2007 Mark of the Year.
And what a grab it was.
The 193cm key forward was a known high-flyer who played 28 games and booted 35 goals.
Simon Buckley
In the backend of 2008, Simon Buckley cemented his role in the side, averaging 21 disposals through the middle.
The No.53 draft pick played 21 games for the club before receiving a second chance at his AFL career, spending three years with the Magpies.
Shane Valenti
Shane Valenti had to earn his spot on an AFL list, and did so after winning the Fothergill-Round Medal as the VFL’s best young player in 2007.
The tough 176cm onballer made his debut for the Dees the following year, playing 15 games across two seasons before continuing his successful VFL career with Port Melbourne.
Joel Macdonald
After playing 80 games for the Lions, Joel Macdonald was recruited to the club for the 2010 season to sure up the Dees defence.
He wore the red and blue on 44 occasions before announcing his retirement and following his interests in the business world.
Jordan Gysberts
After being selected with pick No.11 in the 2009 National Draft, Jordan Gysberts made a promising start to his AFL career with 27 touches on debut.
The 190cm midfielder played 19 games for the club before being traded to North Melbourne at the end of the 2012 season.
Michael Evans
As an 18-year-old rookie, Michael Evans got his chance when Jake Spencer went down with injury in 2011, and took it with both hands, racking up 27 disposals in his first outing against the Saints.
The hard-at-it midfielder played 16 games and will be best remembered for his three-goal final term which helped Melbourne defeat the Giants in 2013.
James Magner
James Magner was a mature-age recruit who burst onto the scenes with 23 disposals and two goals in the opening game of 2012, followed by 32 touches the next week.
At just 178cm, Magner was as fierce as they come, and after his 17-game career with the Dees, he featured in Essendon’s 2015 top-up NAB Challenge team on the back of some strong form at VFL level.
Alex Georgiou
At 24 years of age, Alex Georgiou was given a chance as a rookie, playing the first seven games of his debut season in 2014.
Unfortunately, Georgiou, who was regularly referred to as ‘Mr Bean’, wasn’t able to hold his spot on the list and returned to the SANFL to continue his footy career.