Indigenous players have been a huge part of our game and club from the very beginning, with their early game providing an early influence.  They remain an integral part of what we are today, and here we share just a sample of those who have had an impact over the generations in red and blue.

Eddie Jackson
A lightly built wingman who was on the bench in the 1948 premiership, Jackson – named a ‘Hero’ of the Club in 2008 – was equipped with both pace and accuracy that made him one of the best of his era.  Claimed by his captain, Noel McMahen, to be ‘a great player, no doubt of it’, Jackson followed George Simmonds, who played in 1924, as an indigenous pioneer of the Club.

Les Bamblett
A Morrish Medallist for his efforts in the VFL Under 19s, ‘Lally’ Bamblett played just eleven games for Melbourne before moving to Footscray in 1984.  He was one of only two indigenous players who represented Melbourne in the 1970s and early 1980s – the other was Colin Graham, who came from Kyabram via Penola and played for Melbourne from 1975 to 1978.

Andy Lovell
Famously known as ‘Chopper’ for his wood chopping exploits in his native Tasmania, Lovell shaped himself into a rugged, hard playing centreman, making an impact from his very first season in 1988, when he was named as one of the League’s best first year players.  Despite injury setbacks, he became an integral part of the Melbourne line up during the early 1990s, playing 121 games and kicking 146 goals before being traded to West Coast in 1996.



Sean Charles
Exceptionally talented but inconsistent, Charles – originally from Powelltown in the Yarra Ranges – battled an ongoing wrist injury and his wish to be away from the city.  A huge success in the 1994 finals series, he never quite fulfilled his potential, and was traded by Melbourne to Carlton after 47 games to the end of 1998.  After a season at the Blues, he spent 2000 at St Kilda before retiring.

Jeff Farmer
‘The Wiz’ captured the hearts and minds of the competition during his career.  High marking and a mercurial goal kicker, he was capable of taking over a game and creating something special – nine goals after half time against Collingwood in 2000, Best Player of the Finals in 1998 – ‘Wiz’ could deliver everything.  Leading goal kicker in 1997, 1998 and 2000, it was a sad day for many when he headed back west to play for Fremantle at the end of 2001, 118 games and 259 goals in red and blue to his credit.

Matthew Whelan
With exactly 150 games to his credit when he retired in 2009, Whelan was a star during the mid-2000s, and a stalwart of the side throughout his career.  Originally from the Northern Territory, Whelan developed into a tough obstacle for opposition forwards, developing from the Best First Year Player of 2000 into an integral part of the team – despite injury setbacks – throughout his career.



Aaron Davey
Davey has been a constant part of the Club since even before he was a listed player.  Originally on the rookie list, he went on to make his senior debut in 2004.  Second Best and Fairest in 2005, an international representative in 2005 and 2006, and Best and Fairest in 2009, ‘Flash’ has overcome tough times with injuries and the evolution of the team around him to remain an important figure in the Melbourne story.  Today, he, Neville Jetta and Dominic Barry represent the indigenous heritage of the Club.

Austin Wonaeamirri
While his stay at Melbourne was relatively brief, spanning just 31 games and 37 goals, Wonaeamirri – originally from the Tiwi Islands – provided plenty of excitement, particularly in 2008.  In Round Seven of that year, he kicked four goals to help take Melbourne to a one point victory, repeating the feat by running down the clock to a one point victory against Brisbane in following weeks.  Recognised for his quality of celebration, as well as his goal kicking ability, Wonaeamirri succumbed to hamstring and knee injuries, missing all of 2009.  While he played throughout 2010 and 2011, he returned home during the latter season, and was delisted in October that year.

Liam Jurrah
Like Wonaeamirri, Jurrah’s career was cameo in nature, packed with enthusiasm and highlights for all who watched it.  Hailing from Yuendumu in central Australia, at one stage Jurrah kicked twenty goals in nine games – including three bags of four goals.  Dealing with personal and injury challenges, Jurrah played his last game in 2012, and was delisted at the end of the season.