WHEN members of Melbourne’s 2000 Grand Final team reunited recently to mark a decade since the game against Essendon, memories of an amazing season came to the fore, along with realisation of the great achievements of that year.
The year 2000 got off to a nervous start, as we all worried about Y2K and millennium bugs, all to no purpose. Newcomer Brendan Fevola kicked twelve goals for Carlton against Collingwood in the Millennium Game on New Year’s Eve, dragging attention firmly back where it belonged.
And that, of course, was with the football.
For all those involved in the red and blue, it was a year of newcomers and much excitement. It was also a great year of paying tribute to the heritage of the Club, with the announcement of its Team of the Century.
At Melbourne, with the Club’s administration in its last season at its Jolimont Terrace headquarters before moving to the MCG, early conjecture surrounded just who would take over the captaincy from Todd Viney.
These were resolved when David Neitz was offered the post ahead of David Schwarz. Of the captaincy, Neitz said ‘It was never something I thought about when I was a kid, going through the juniors, but it just came along as my goals started to change.’
Little did the first year captain realise what a rollercoaster ride the next decade would be.
Gathered behind Neitz was a diverse group, including a number of brand new recruits. Cameron Bruce, Simon Godfrey, Brad Green, Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan all made their senior debuts in 2000. Wheatley’s comment early in the season summed up the fervour of all involved. ‘I’ve been waiting 18 years for this, and now it’s happening - a dream come true.’
With the season starting early, the fixture having been tweaked due to the Sydney Olympics later that year, the first game kicked in about three weeks earlier than usual. Melbourne took on Richmond, falling short by just two points in early March heat.
Off the ground, the ‘Heart Beat’ membership campaign galvanised supporters early on, with The Footy Show cross helping to garner 1500 members on the way to a targeted 23,000 total.
Wins against North Melbourne, St Kilda, Fremantle, West Coast, Port Adelaide and Brisbane in the first ten rounds were interspersed with losses to Sydney, Geelong and Essendon. The positives far outweighed the negatives, and Melbourne was one of the dream teams of the competition.
This only suffered a slight dint in Round 13, when David Neitz’s 150th game was deflated slightly by a 98-point loss to Carlton. But, the very next week, there was redemption, when Farmer turned on some ‘Wiz Magic’ in the second half, scoring nine goals to help the Demons to a 65-point win over Collingwood.
From Round 15 onwards, there was only one loss - and that by one point - against the Kangaroos in Round 17.
After Round 16, the Club’s Team of the Century was announced, bringing the greats of seasons past - Ron Barassi, Robert Flower, Garry Lyon, Percy Beames, Viney and many more - to the fore, on the back of a brilliant 10-point win the same day against Richmond. The Tigers got to within four points, but in a late flurry, Guy Rigoni and Schwarz combined to kick the last, sealing goal.
Rounds 21 and 22 presented as fair challenges - the first was against Geelong against the background of the Olympic Flame’s return to the MCG, and the second against West Coast at Subiaco. The first challenge was met with aplomb and a three-goal victory meant third place on the ladder, and the double chance come finals time.
The second - in enemy territory at Subiaco - was sheer delight for all in red and blue. Yze excelled, with three first half goals. The midfield dominated, as it had all season, with Stephen Powell, Rigoni and Anthony McDonald in the leading possession getters. Bruce and Russell Robertson proved so effective on the retiring Guy McKenna that he took himself off.
The Eagles were leading by ten points before Melbourne kicked ten unanswered goals, leaving their forlorn opposition to bow out of the finals race for the first time since 1989.
Then it was finals time. Melbourne and Carlton played in the Second Qualifying Final. At quarter time, the Blues were a goal ahead. At the long break, their lead had stretched to 16 points.
But the confidence of all in red and blue was unwavering, from coach Neale Daniher through to youngster Green, fresh on the ground and starting to kick goals. A running snap from Andrew Leoncelli, a soccer shot from Yze, and the game was still in the balance.
Down the other end, our defence held firm. Anthony Ingerson, Alistair Nicholson, Daniel Ward, Peter Walsh, Matthew Collins and Steven Febey - all stood valiantly.
Green kicked another goal - four for the day, from nine kicks. Lance Whitnall answered for the Blues. Then Bruce kicked a goal. As the siren sounded, Melbourne won by nine points and was into the Preliminary Final, with a week off.
And so it was against the Kangaroos, at night - their favoured time, a huge challenge. Momentum was vital, and it came in a second quarter blitz, when Melbourne kicked eight unanswered goals.
Farmer was superb yet again, with five goals in the first half, and eight for the entire game. Others also played their part in convincing style - Woewodin, putting the seal on a memorable year, took on both Anthony Stevens and Mick Martyn and won. Wayne Carey was held by Ingerson, solid in defence. Jeff White ruled the centre, Powell had 33 possessions and kicked four goals, and Rigoni stood fast despite a hard knock.
By three-quarter time, the buzz in the crowd was one of excitement, realisation of the direct turnaround from 1998. This time, we were there. As the final siren sounded, the scoreboard showed a 50-point win for Melbourne, and the realisation hit home.
Melbourne. Grand Final. First time since 1988.
The week was a big one, and it only increased in intensity as the days passed.
On Monday night, star midfielder Shane Woewodin dashed to an early lead to take out the Brownlow Medal by two votes from Western Bulldogs legend (and now Melbourne assistant coach) Scott West. ‘It’s something you always dream of as a boy’, Woewodin said, facing the biggest week of his playing life, taking on the steamrolling Essendon in the Grand Final.
Melbourne’s AFL side was not the only one heading into a Grand Final.
New VFL affiliate, Sandringham, showed the way on that one day in September, and the Melbourne connection had its part to play. With the Zebras’ premiership win, just two days after Melbourne won the Preliminary Final, Ben Beams was called up for the Melbourne-Essendon Grand Final in the wake of Bruce’s injury forced omission.
It was similar pain for young James McDonald, forced out for the entire finals series, inspiring Woewodin in his quest for success.
With such achievements and celebrations, Grand Final Week was beyond belief for all Melbourne supporters. The Grand Final Parade was glowing, red against black and blue.
Yze was playing in his first ever Grand Final at any level.
As the siren sounded to start the game, Neitz won the toss. It was 2.45 pm.
Shortly after, Green was hit in the throat when attempting to tackle Bombers hard man Dean Wallis. He was bruised and bleeding. The pace of the match was lightning fast, Nicholson saying later ‘It was the fastest game I’ve played in. The ball was a hot potato!’
Young ruckman Troy Simmonds was catapulted by Michael Long just before half time, taken off on a stretcher. It was bad. Farmer was playing with broken ribs. The spark was dulled for the Demons, but the endeavour remained, gallant until the end, when the final siren sounded, Essendon victorious by 60 points.
It was a flattening reality after the brilliance of the 2000 season. As vice-captain Schwarz said, ‘We didn’t want to give up. That’s what we’ve been about all year.’
Pride, great memories and determination were the highlights of the year, and as the ground cleared, the season finishing early, the Olympics set to start in the week that followed, the year 2000 was one to remember.
The year 2000 got off to a nervous start, as we all worried about Y2K and millennium bugs, all to no purpose. Newcomer Brendan Fevola kicked twelve goals for Carlton against Collingwood in the Millennium Game on New Year’s Eve, dragging attention firmly back where it belonged.
And that, of course, was with the football.
For all those involved in the red and blue, it was a year of newcomers and much excitement. It was also a great year of paying tribute to the heritage of the Club, with the announcement of its Team of the Century.
At Melbourne, with the Club’s administration in its last season at its Jolimont Terrace headquarters before moving to the MCG, early conjecture surrounded just who would take over the captaincy from Todd Viney.
These were resolved when David Neitz was offered the post ahead of David Schwarz. Of the captaincy, Neitz said ‘It was never something I thought about when I was a kid, going through the juniors, but it just came along as my goals started to change.’
Little did the first year captain realise what a rollercoaster ride the next decade would be.
Gathered behind Neitz was a diverse group, including a number of brand new recruits. Cameron Bruce, Simon Godfrey, Brad Green, Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan all made their senior debuts in 2000. Wheatley’s comment early in the season summed up the fervour of all involved. ‘I’ve been waiting 18 years for this, and now it’s happening - a dream come true.’
With the season starting early, the fixture having been tweaked due to the Sydney Olympics later that year, the first game kicked in about three weeks earlier than usual. Melbourne took on Richmond, falling short by just two points in early March heat.
Off the ground, the ‘Heart Beat’ membership campaign galvanised supporters early on, with The Footy Show cross helping to garner 1500 members on the way to a targeted 23,000 total.
Wins against North Melbourne, St Kilda, Fremantle, West Coast, Port Adelaide and Brisbane in the first ten rounds were interspersed with losses to Sydney, Geelong and Essendon. The positives far outweighed the negatives, and Melbourne was one of the dream teams of the competition.
This only suffered a slight dint in Round 13, when David Neitz’s 150th game was deflated slightly by a 98-point loss to Carlton. But, the very next week, there was redemption, when Farmer turned on some ‘Wiz Magic’ in the second half, scoring nine goals to help the Demons to a 65-point win over Collingwood.
From Round 15 onwards, there was only one loss - and that by one point - against the Kangaroos in Round 17.
After Round 16, the Club’s Team of the Century was announced, bringing the greats of seasons past - Ron Barassi, Robert Flower, Garry Lyon, Percy Beames, Viney and many more - to the fore, on the back of a brilliant 10-point win the same day against Richmond. The Tigers got to within four points, but in a late flurry, Guy Rigoni and Schwarz combined to kick the last, sealing goal.
Rounds 21 and 22 presented as fair challenges - the first was against Geelong against the background of the Olympic Flame’s return to the MCG, and the second against West Coast at Subiaco. The first challenge was met with aplomb and a three-goal victory meant third place on the ladder, and the double chance come finals time.
The second - in enemy territory at Subiaco - was sheer delight for all in red and blue. Yze excelled, with three first half goals. The midfield dominated, as it had all season, with Stephen Powell, Rigoni and Anthony McDonald in the leading possession getters. Bruce and Russell Robertson proved so effective on the retiring Guy McKenna that he took himself off.
The Eagles were leading by ten points before Melbourne kicked ten unanswered goals, leaving their forlorn opposition to bow out of the finals race for the first time since 1989.
Then it was finals time. Melbourne and Carlton played in the Second Qualifying Final. At quarter time, the Blues were a goal ahead. At the long break, their lead had stretched to 16 points.
But the confidence of all in red and blue was unwavering, from coach Neale Daniher through to youngster Green, fresh on the ground and starting to kick goals. A running snap from Andrew Leoncelli, a soccer shot from Yze, and the game was still in the balance.
Down the other end, our defence held firm. Anthony Ingerson, Alistair Nicholson, Daniel Ward, Peter Walsh, Matthew Collins and Steven Febey - all stood valiantly.
Green kicked another goal - four for the day, from nine kicks. Lance Whitnall answered for the Blues. Then Bruce kicked a goal. As the siren sounded, Melbourne won by nine points and was into the Preliminary Final, with a week off.
And so it was against the Kangaroos, at night - their favoured time, a huge challenge. Momentum was vital, and it came in a second quarter blitz, when Melbourne kicked eight unanswered goals.
Farmer was superb yet again, with five goals in the first half, and eight for the entire game. Others also played their part in convincing style - Woewodin, putting the seal on a memorable year, took on both Anthony Stevens and Mick Martyn and won. Wayne Carey was held by Ingerson, solid in defence. Jeff White ruled the centre, Powell had 33 possessions and kicked four goals, and Rigoni stood fast despite a hard knock.
By three-quarter time, the buzz in the crowd was one of excitement, realisation of the direct turnaround from 1998. This time, we were there. As the final siren sounded, the scoreboard showed a 50-point win for Melbourne, and the realisation hit home.
Melbourne. Grand Final. First time since 1988.
The week was a big one, and it only increased in intensity as the days passed.
On Monday night, star midfielder Shane Woewodin dashed to an early lead to take out the Brownlow Medal by two votes from Western Bulldogs legend (and now Melbourne assistant coach) Scott West. ‘It’s something you always dream of as a boy’, Woewodin said, facing the biggest week of his playing life, taking on the steamrolling Essendon in the Grand Final.
Melbourne’s AFL side was not the only one heading into a Grand Final.
New VFL affiliate, Sandringham, showed the way on that one day in September, and the Melbourne connection had its part to play. With the Zebras’ premiership win, just two days after Melbourne won the Preliminary Final, Ben Beams was called up for the Melbourne-Essendon Grand Final in the wake of Bruce’s injury forced omission.
It was similar pain for young James McDonald, forced out for the entire finals series, inspiring Woewodin in his quest for success.
With such achievements and celebrations, Grand Final Week was beyond belief for all Melbourne supporters. The Grand Final Parade was glowing, red against black and blue.
Yze was playing in his first ever Grand Final at any level.
As the siren sounded to start the game, Neitz won the toss. It was 2.45 pm.
Shortly after, Green was hit in the throat when attempting to tackle Bombers hard man Dean Wallis. He was bruised and bleeding. The pace of the match was lightning fast, Nicholson saying later ‘It was the fastest game I’ve played in. The ball was a hot potato!’
Young ruckman Troy Simmonds was catapulted by Michael Long just before half time, taken off on a stretcher. It was bad. Farmer was playing with broken ribs. The spark was dulled for the Demons, but the endeavour remained, gallant until the end, when the final siren sounded, Essendon victorious by 60 points.
It was a flattening reality after the brilliance of the 2000 season. As vice-captain Schwarz said, ‘We didn’t want to give up. That’s what we’ve been about all year.’
Pride, great memories and determination were the highlights of the year, and as the ground cleared, the season finishing early, the Olympics set to start in the week that followed, the year 2000 was one to remember.
