Whoever becomes the captain of the Melbourne Football Club for 2011 will be the Club’s 41st senior captain (not counting those who have filled in in the role) since the 1897 season. Back then, the first captain was Ned Sutton, a defender who had also played for Carlton in the days of the VFA.
The captain had a more diverse role to play in those early days, as there was no coach, and the head trainer combined with the captain to lead the way. It had been even more involved back before the formation of the VFL, with the captain in the formative seasons of the game even taking on the role of umpire.
Now, looking at the list of Melbourne captains, the names are like a roll call of the Club’s ‘Who’s Who’? There’s Wardill, replete with MCC connections, leading the team its first flag in 1900. He’s followed by McClelland, who went on to serve as VFL President, and lend his name to the McClelland Trophy, in its most recent incarnation awarded to the ladder leader at the end of the AFL’s home and away season.
Vin Couttie holds firm in those uncertain pre-war years, a sterling character as well as a great goal kicker, and upon return, the twin forces of Chadwick and Warne-Smith dominate the scene. Two Brownlows, one premiership, and legendary status well into the next generation, helping to build five more grand old flags.
The names unfurl, and echo in their grandeur. La Fontaine - picture him in your mind’s eye in classic stance, kicking strong out of the centre. Beames - quicksilver, roving, the lad from Golden Point. And Smith - red haired, quiet to start with, courageous and pugnacious in his goal kicking, captaincy and coaching alike.
Then come two Cordners, Don and Denis both reaching the heights, split only by the toughness of ‘Shane’ McGrath, succeeded by Geoff Collins, the pilot returned from Korea, taking the youngsters to the 1954 Grand Final and starting a decade-long ride of success. Noel McMahen, John Beckwith, Ron Barassi - such different characters, from Beckwith in defence to Barassi making the ruck roving role his own - but all united in their quest for premiership glory.
After them, the courage continues, with Hassa Mann, versatile from the half forward flank to the centre and beyond, succeeded by ‘Tassie’ Johnson, a formidable giant, then Davis in defence, Alves on the wing, and Wells, a blond streak of brilliance flashing through the centre.
Carl Ditterich stands tall, crossing into the 1980s, combining captaincy with coaching duties, succeeded by the magic of Robert Flower, seeing his seven seasons as leader out on a high and the 1987 finals. The modern era is in good hands, with Greg Healy taking the mantle, then passing it on to Garry Lyon and Todd Viney, before David Neitz takes over and breaks all records in nearly nine seasons at the helm. He hands over to James McDonald, a quiet achiever and constant presence, who holds the role for two seasons.
Now, the next chapter of Melbourne’s captaincy story is waiting, biding its time, ready to be told.
The captain had a more diverse role to play in those early days, as there was no coach, and the head trainer combined with the captain to lead the way. It had been even more involved back before the formation of the VFL, with the captain in the formative seasons of the game even taking on the role of umpire.
Now, looking at the list of Melbourne captains, the names are like a roll call of the Club’s ‘Who’s Who’? There’s Wardill, replete with MCC connections, leading the team its first flag in 1900. He’s followed by McClelland, who went on to serve as VFL President, and lend his name to the McClelland Trophy, in its most recent incarnation awarded to the ladder leader at the end of the AFL’s home and away season.
Vin Couttie holds firm in those uncertain pre-war years, a sterling character as well as a great goal kicker, and upon return, the twin forces of Chadwick and Warne-Smith dominate the scene. Two Brownlows, one premiership, and legendary status well into the next generation, helping to build five more grand old flags.
The names unfurl, and echo in their grandeur. La Fontaine - picture him in your mind’s eye in classic stance, kicking strong out of the centre. Beames - quicksilver, roving, the lad from Golden Point. And Smith - red haired, quiet to start with, courageous and pugnacious in his goal kicking, captaincy and coaching alike.
Then come two Cordners, Don and Denis both reaching the heights, split only by the toughness of ‘Shane’ McGrath, succeeded by Geoff Collins, the pilot returned from Korea, taking the youngsters to the 1954 Grand Final and starting a decade-long ride of success. Noel McMahen, John Beckwith, Ron Barassi - such different characters, from Beckwith in defence to Barassi making the ruck roving role his own - but all united in their quest for premiership glory.
After them, the courage continues, with Hassa Mann, versatile from the half forward flank to the centre and beyond, succeeded by ‘Tassie’ Johnson, a formidable giant, then Davis in defence, Alves on the wing, and Wells, a blond streak of brilliance flashing through the centre.
Carl Ditterich stands tall, crossing into the 1980s, combining captaincy with coaching duties, succeeded by the magic of Robert Flower, seeing his seven seasons as leader out on a high and the 1987 finals. The modern era is in good hands, with Greg Healy taking the mantle, then passing it on to Garry Lyon and Todd Viney, before David Neitz takes over and breaks all records in nearly nine seasons at the helm. He hands over to James McDonald, a quiet achiever and constant presence, who holds the role for two seasons.
Now, the next chapter of Melbourne’s captaincy story is waiting, biding its time, ready to be told.
