CLUB historian Lynda Carroll reflects on Melbourne’s stunning 1998 season, when it rose from wooden spoon to fourth, in the first of a three-part series running over the next three weeks.

AFTER a couple of rocky years, Melbourne’s 140^th season in 1998 was a breath of fresh air for all associated with the club.

Making his way from the Dockers, Neale Daniher was appointed senior coach, with other additions including Fremantle ruckman Jeff White and St Kilda defender Jamie Shanahan. Added to this was No. 1 draft pick - Chelsea youngster, Travis Johnstone.

Pre-season started early, with a sad note as Garry Lyon stood down from the captaincy after seven years.

Hoping to extend his playing career, Lyon handed the reins over to Todd Viney, in what would prove to be a very successful move on all fronts, with Lyon having one of his best seasons for some time in 1998.

Indeed, such were his ongoing leadership qualities despite relinquishing the top job, that Viney joked he sometimes felt ‘just like the official coin tosser’. However, Viney’s own season was one to celebrate, highlighting the emergence of the side.

The form of the side in the pre-season competition was an early indication of this.

There were two Ansett Cup victories, over the Western Bulldogs and Sydney, with the latter being played in Wellington, New Zealdand. In this game, Travis Johnstone, agile and accurate, showed what he was capable of, bringing great delight to all spectators.

Round one, unfortunately, was played in the heat of Fremantle, with the only relief being gained through wearing ‘ice jackets’.

The Dockers broke away to win by 23 points in the extreme conditions, and a number of newcomers were seen in action for the first time - both for Melbourne and in AFL ranks. As well as Daniher and Johnstone, other first-timers included Guy Rigoni, Craig Smoker and Hayden Lamaro, as well as White and Shanahan at their new clubs.

The second game of the season was a turnaround, and an unusual innovation - a twilight game. Up against North Melbourne, Lyon kicked three, helping to take the Demons to a 25-point victory. On the ground, there was another innovation, with club legend Gary Hardeman taking on the role of Melbourne’s interchange steward.

Heat was not a factor in Melbourne’s interstate win over Brisbane in round three - a win by 13 points and Adem Yze’s 50^th. It was a pleasant buffer, with the round four meeting with Carlton proving successful, but at a cost. It was Melbourne’s first win there since 1991, and saw the return of Stephen Tingay, but was marred by injury to Jim Stynes that ultimately ended his run of 244 consecutive games. To add to the mayhem, David Neitz broke his leg, Marcus Seecamp was suspended for three weeks, and Nathan Brown suffered a hamstring injury after having made a wonderful debut.

Regardless of the loss of vital personnel, those left to carry the load excelled.

Up against Port Adelaide, commentator Peter Landy had a new catchcry to accompany Melbourne’s 49 point win.

It was ‘Still Woewodin!’ all the way, with five bounces and much weaving leading to one of the goals of the year.

Unbelievably interstate again when taking on Sydney in round six, victory was Melbourne’s in the wet.

Brilliant out of the blocks with a four goal opening burst, Lyon led the way with three for the game.

While Tony Lockett was absent for the Swans, Andrew Leoncelli held Wayne Schwass well, while Paul Hopgood controlled Brownlow Medallist Paul Kelly in a negating highlight.

Round seven against Richmond was Todd Viney’s 200^th game, but unfortunately it was dominated by the Tigers from the beginning on their way to a 42-point win, and the only real highlight for Melbourne was the welcome return of Stynes, complemented by Matthew Bishop’s brilliant marking effort.

Facing Collingwood in round eight, the pressure was on - and Melbourne came away with the ‘traditional rival’ points in Stynes’ 250^th game. It was goal-for-goal throughout, until Leoncelli cleared the ball out of defence in the dying seconds. Jeff Farmer turned on some magic with three goals in his 50th game, while Shaun Smith kicked five - all in the second half, and Brent Grgic took twelve marks at centre half-forward in a sterling display.

In extra highlights, Johnstone was named as the Norwich Rising Star nominee for the round following his efforts in this game, which saw Melbourne victorious by three points.

Sadly, it seemed that all the wind had been taken out of the Demons’ sails by the Collingwood victory, with losses in the twilight game to Essendon, and another interstate trek, this time against the Crows in Adelaide.

The Essendon game had an interesting feature, with the MCG’s big screen showing highlights and interviews from players who took part in the 1948 drawn Grand Final, led by Don Cordner and Dick Reynolds, two of the legends and gentlemen of the competition.

In this game, Troy Longmuir made his senior debut, while the following week, there were two further debutants, in Mark Bradly and Daniel Ward. Ward had been promoted from the rookie list, following the retirement of Brett Lovett, veteran of 235 games and an integral part of the side since 1986.

After this, matters returned to an even keel, with a win at Waverley in the wet against the Hawks. Farmer rivalled Woewodin’s early season goal escapades with a long run of his own, which ended up winning goal of the year.

Farmer and Lyon ended up with four goals each in this 47 point bonanza, while Anthony McDonald also excelled with three of his own. Shanahan held Jason Dunstall to two goals and White curtailed Paul Salmon’s efforts. The only negative out of this game was the suspension of Farmer for three matches for striking Shane Crawford.

At the end of the halfway mark of the home and away season, Melbourne was in good shape, with seven wins and four losses.

Challenges lay ahead, but at sixth place on the ladder after the win against Hawthorn, the Demons were neatly poised for the remainder of Season 1998.