Every so often, reading through dusty pages and old match reports, a quirky name will pop out and make its presence felt. The names might not have huge playing careers behind them, but the character of each player lives on through the colour and individuality of their name. Here are some of their stories:

Basil Onyons - 1905 to 1908, 37 games, 32 goals
Complete with a beautifully herbal title, Onyons was not only a footballer, but also a fine cricketer who represented Victoria. He was a capable right handed batsman, who had the misfortune of registering a pair on debut in 1919, against New South Wales. However, eight years later, he captained Victoria, and scored a century against Tasmania.

Lancelot Sleeman - 1906, 1 game
From Scotch College, Sleeman did not play with the school team, but made up for that in VFL ranks. After playing his one game with Melbourne, he went to University Football Club, where he played eight games in 1908.
 
Clement Conroy - 1944 to 1946, 12 games, 1 goal
While not much is known about Conroy, this is probably courtesy of the era in which he played. During the inter-war period, many players came and went from Melbourne ranks, and at the time Conroy was playing, it was barely known from week to week whether or not there would even be a side playing.
 
Horrie Drane - 1902 to 1906, 38 games, 11 goals
After his time at Melbourne, Drane went on to play 18 games at South Melbourne between 1907 and 1909, including their premiership of that season, which was his last VFL game. A fine running player, he originally hailed from Leopold.
 
Rolie Fischer - 1933 to 1941, 137 games, 34 goals
Born in Adelaide, and recruited from Murtoa, Fischer was a strong player who got his start at the age of 23 when he was spotted in a Wimmera League game. He played in the ruck, at centre half-forward, and in the back pocket - his position in the 1939 premiership side. A Victorian representative in 1937 and 1939, Fischer was named as a ‘Hero’ of the Club for its 150th in 2008.
 
Ossie Green - 1926 to 1931, 32 games, 1 goal
Originally from Brunswick, Green had a scattered stint at the Club, playing the majority of his games in 1926, 1929, and 1931, wearing guernsey numbers 5 and 22.
 
Ced Hay - 1900, 1 game, 0 goals
In Melbourne’s first VFL premiership season, Ced (presumed Cedric) Hay was there for just one game. He was an alumni of Cumloden College, which was also attended by Australian Test captain, WW Armstrong.
 
Webber Jackson - 1930 to 1932, 24 games, 5 goals
Whether it’s a nickname or his actual name, it’s a fine and distinctive tag. Jackson also had a fine pedigree to accompany his playing career, hailing from Ballarat/Golden Point, as did contemporary and legend of the Club, Percy Beames.
 
Henri Jeannerett - 1904, 4 games, 0 goals
While his tenure at Melbourne was a relatively short one, Jeannerett had already made his mark in the game before donning the red and blue. From 1898 to 1903, he played 75 games and kicked 12 goals for South Melbourne, displaying his abilities as a brilliant little wingman and fine mark of the ball.
 
Otto Landmann - 1910, 2 games, 1 goal
Between 1907 and 1910, Landmann played 27 games with Essendon, before briefly appearing with Melbourne. On one occasion in 1908, he kicked seven goals in a game, but inexplicably missed playing in the Grand Final the same year.
 
Barry Ough - 1975, 1 game, 0 goals
Barry - the quintessential 1970s name, and when attached to a surname such as Ough, his is a striking identifier. Ough was one of a group of players who made their way to the Club from the north-eastern recruiting zone during the 1970s, originally hailing from Mooroopna.
 
Bruce Pie - 1926, 1 game, 0 goals
While his statistics are minimal at best, Bruce Pie has a lovely sound to it, a solid presence in an era of success and the Club’s second VFL flag. Pie wore No. 11, and played his one game against Carlton at Princes Park, in Round Two of 1926. Sadly for Pie, it was a loss.