MELBOURNE, the oldest football club in the world, has announced its 150 greatest heroes from 150 years in front of a capacity crowd of 1300 people at Crown Palladium on Saturday night.

With 1256 VFL/AFL players to choose from since 1897 – plus others before the formation of the league from 1858-1896 – the task was always going to be enormous for the selection committee, but the final group is a wonderful reflection on the red and blue.

Initially, a list of 250 players was compiled, before 100 players were trimmed. Like all lists, tough decisions were made and many players were genuinely unlucky not to make the final 150, which has been named alphabetically, from Jim Abernethy to Adem Yze.

The selection criteria was wide ranging, with matches played, premierships, club champion awards, state representation, team of the century inclusion, club hall of fame induction, Brownlow Medal wins and the quality of the team also considered. Players also had to have played 100 matches for Melbourne or fulfilled multiple criteria.

Other contributions to the club, the game or the community were not part of the selection.

The selection committee comprised past players Hassa Mann, Noel McMahen and Anthony McDonald, former chief executive Steve Harris, club director Peter Dohrmann, Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan and club historian Lynda Carroll.

All 150 players except Henry Harrison – one of the pioneers of the game and the oldest member of this group – played in the VFL/AFL.

John Leith, Fred McGinis and Charlie Young were the only three players from the VFL/AFL's inaugural season in 1897 to make the list.

Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, James McDonald, David Neitz (now retired), Russell Robertson, Jeff White and Yze gained selection from the 2008 squad. Jeff Farmer (now with Fremantle) and Travis Johnstone (Brisbane Lions) were also named, but are no longer at the club.

Of the 138 players to have represented Melbourne in 100 or more matches, 117 made the final cut. Another 33 players who did not reach the triple figure milestone rounded out the 150 group.

One of the most significant – and deserved inclusions – is that of dual premiership player Harold Ball, who represented Melbourne in 33 matches, the fewest of any VFL/AFL Melbourne player to be included in the 150.

Ball was one of five Melbourne players to die in World War II, with Ron Barassi Snr, Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, Syd Anderson and John Atkins. His legacy remains today, as the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy is awarded to the club's best first year player.

As expected, Melbourne's top 20 games record holders were included: Neitz, Robbie Flower, Yze, Jim Stynes, Steven Febey, Brian Dixon, Brett Lovett, Todd Viney, J.White, Stan Alves, Garry Lyon, Greg Wells, Gary Hardeman, Jack Mueller, R.Robertson, Percy Beames, Norm Smith, J.McDonald, Don Williams and Ron Barassi.

A total of 85 featured in Melbourne premierships. Naturally, six-time flag players Frank Adams and Ron Barassi Jnr headed the list. The two Melbourne greats, along with Collingwood duo Albert and Harry Collier, are second only to Hawthorn's Michael Tuck (seven) for the most number of VFL/AFL premierships.

Brownlow Medallists Ivor Warne-Smith (1926, 1928), Don Cornder (1948), Brian Wilson (1982), Peter Moore (1984), Jim Stynes (1991) and Shane Woewodin (2000) were also inducted.

Father/son or sibling connections were also represented with the Collins (father Jack and son Geoff), Cordner (brothers Don, Ted and Denis), Febey (twins Steven and Matthew), Healy (brothers Gerard and Greg), Johnson (father Bob Snr and son Bob Jnr) and McDonald (brothers Anthony and James) families included.

Among the most noticeable omissions was the mercurial Allen Jakovich, who booted 201 from 47 matches and averaged 4.27 goals per match with the Demons.

The player to have featured in the most matches for Melbourne and not to be inducted was 1948 premiership player Billy Deans, who played in 151 matches from 1942-50.

Other to have played more than 100 matches and be overlooked included Nathan Brown, George Moodie, Matthew Whelan, Arthur Sowden and Geoff McGiven. Those who did not reach the ton and were also not named included Neil Crompton, Aaron Davey, Brian Leahy, Steve O'Dwyer and Darren Bennett.

The night was the start of a big weekend for the club as it also launched its '150 Heroes' book to celebrate the feats of the players named as the red and blue's greatest.

On Monday, the festivities continue as Melbourne holds its 'Red and Blue Army Walk to the MCG' from Federation Square, departing at 11.30am. The first 500 people wearing red and blue will receive breakfast from 9.30am.

This is a free event and already 100 past players have committed to taking part. The walk will be along the riverside and through Birrarung Marr, before arriving at the MCG in time for the traditional Queen's Birthday clash against arch-rival Collingwood. The past players will then complete a lap of honour on the MCG before the match.