The Melbourne Football Club is delighted to announce the induction of two of its own into the AFL Hall of Fame last night, both encompassing very different eras.

The first inductee was Stan ‘Pops’ Heal.  A WA legend, he played 180 games for West Perth, including three premierships in 1941, 1949 and 1952. He was also West Perth’s coach between 1947 and 1952, and won the Simpson Medal as the best player in the WAFL Grand Final in 1949.  He is a member of both the WAFL and West Perth Teams of the Century, and a Legend in the WAFL Hall of Fame.

Heal’s connection to Melbourne came during the Second World War.  Serving in the Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman Heal was in Melbourne and approached by many talent scouts.  Collingwood was favourite for his services, but Melbourne won the day, and Heal went on to play in the 1941 premiership - on the wing, wearing guernsey No. 1.  A week later, he headed back west, and played in West Perth’s premiership.

he second of Melbourne’s inductees is a high marking, socks down, one time games record holder for the Club, and well known as one of the integral players of the 1950s and 1960s.  A member of five premiership sides in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964, Brian Dixon in his No. 9 was fiercely competitive and dedicated.  Playing in the centre, he won the Best and Fairest in 1960, and in a rare honour in 1961, won the Tassie Medal as best and fairest player in the Australian National Football Carnival in Brisbane.

Dixon grew into the Club, one of a group of young players who made their senior debut in the mid-1950s, and built the team into the powerhouse side of the day.  He shared his first senior season - 1954 - with a talented collection of debutants, including Ian Ridley, Bob Johnson Jnr, Laurie Mithen and Clyde Laidlaw.

Beyond the game, Dixon lectured in economics and politics at Melbourne University.  He moved on to teach at Melbourne Grammar, then entered politics and went on to serve as Victoria’s Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation.

Dixon was also the first Melbourne player to reach 250 games, and upon retirement at the age of 32, served on the Club’s Committee.  He played briefly for VFA side Prahran, before coaching North Melbourne in 1971 and 1972.  Dixon’s love for the game has also led him to travel widely in a promotional role, particularly in South Africa.

One of Melbourne’s most revered players, Dixon is a member of the Club’s Team of the Century, and an inductee into its Hall of Fame.  He was also fitting named as a ‘Hero’ for the 150th in 2008. 

In adding to these honours, we once again congratulate both Dixon and Heal on their amazing stories, and for being a treasured part of the Melbourne Football Club and the game.

More stories from both Dixon and Heal will follow during the next week.