Top-20: The greatest Melbourne players from 1987-2020, led by Garry Lyon
Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury grew up following the red and the blue. And he has had a crack at naming his top-20 Demons since 1987. Did he fare better than expert Jay Clark? HAVE YOUR SAY
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The odds were stacked up high against Max Gawn.
Did he want it bad enough? Were his knees going to stand up?
By 2013, the 208cm project big man with the comedic streak was at the crossroads.
But when club legend Jim Stynes empowered him to harness the individual power of his personality and playing traits, it set the former Domino’s pizza boy on a course to become potentially Melbourne’s greatest player of the AFL era.
Since 1987, the Herald Sun has ranked the Dees’ new captain Gawn No.4, and his current midfield mate Clayton Oliver No. 19 in the club’s top-20.
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Among them are some of the biggest names in the club’s history. Garry Lyon, Stynes himself, David Neitz, and some other uber-talented goal kickers in David Schwarz, Jeff Farmer and the remarkable story of Allen Jakovich.
For all the disappointment of the dark days between 2007 and 2015, the firepower in red and blue has been, at times, immense.
1. Neitz 2.stynes 3 Lyon 4 N. Jones 5 . Gawn 6 Schwarz 7 Yze 8 farmer 9 Bruce 10 white 11 green 12 junior Mcdonald 13 woewodin 14 robbo 15 Oliver 16 tingay 17 T Viney 18 Lovett 19 Febey 20 Nicholson. Prob missed a few but there ya go old mate
— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) April 8, 2020
And for a while there in the late 80s and early 90s, the Dees were a top-four force under John Northey.
But their two Grand Final appearances since 1987 have yielded 96 and 60-point losses almost a decade apart, in 1988 and 2000.
Now, Gawn and Oliver have the opportunity to give Melbourne a decent shot at breaking the longest premiership drought in the game, and write their own version of the Western Bulldogs’ and Richmond’s fairytale flags.
THE TOP-20 DEMONS PLAYERS FROM 1987-2020
1. Garry Lyon
Forget the stretcher jibes, Lyon was a genuine superstar of the competition throughout the early to mid 90s. Smart, agile and powerful, the team-lifting skipper saved games when he was flung into defence under John Northey early in his career. But he reached even greater heights as an inspirational forward, snagging 157 goals combined across 1994 and 1995. A natural leader, Lyon earned three All-Australian guernseys and two club champion trophies. Cruelly, back and hamstring injuries robbed him of two of his prime years and cost him further reverence.
Key stat: 10 – the number of goals he kicked in the 1994 semi-final against Footscray
2. Jim Stynes
What a story. The Irishman was 18 and barely knew Australian rules when he first responded to an ad in a local newspaper and jumped on a plane to Melbourne. Once here, Stynes made a huge impact, helping redefine the role of the ruckman with his extraordinary running power. He took out the Brownlow Medal, for his outstanding 1991 season when he averaged 26 possessions a game. And his durability became legendary. Stynes bravely brushed off significant injuries, including a broken rib and medial ligament tear, throughout his unbroken run of 244 games between 1987 and 1998. A two-time All-Australian and four-time best and fairest winner, Stynes was arguably an even bigger icon post his playing days with his inspired money-raising days as club president and work for youth organisation Reach, followed by his life-ending battle with cancer.
Key stat: 5 – the number of votes he won the Brownlow Medal by.
3. David Neitz
It was in defence that the Tasmanian excelled early. He shut down a young Wayne Carey and earned All-Australian honours in 1995 for his efforts in the back half. But he was even more suited to attack and once Lyon retired, Neitz went on to lead Melbourne’s goal kicking on seven occasions and took out the Coleman Medal in 2002 for snagging 75 majors. Holds the record for most games played (306) and most games as captain (175) for Melbourne.
Key stat: 631 – goals kicked for Melbourne
4. Max Gawn
Don’t be surprised if Gawn tops this list by the end of his career. Despite two knee reconstructions and a relaxed approach early on, Gawn has become one of the competition’s most dominant ruckmen. The 208cm giant already has three All-Australian guernseys – the equal most at the Demons with Lyon, and was voted the player of the year by the AFL coaches in 2018. Incredibly popular for his larrikin nature. Only blemish is his set shot goal kicking but can clean that up.
Key stat: 40 – Average hit-outs a game last season
5. Todd Viney
Much like his son Jack, Todd Viney was a tough as nails midfielder who gave up a promising junior tennis career to pursue footy. But he made such a big impression on his club from the outset that Viney was made vice-captain of Melbourne in only his second season in 1988. Uncompromising in his attack on the ball, Viney won two best and fairests in 1994 and 1998. Missed the 1996 season when he had a brief stint as Mark Philippoussis’ fitness coach. Team of the century member.
Key stat: 17 – number of finals played.
6. David Schwarz
His 1994 season was something special, when the gun forward took league high 173 marks for the season, ahead of champions Wayne Carey, Stephen Kernahan and Chris Grant. That year, he booted nine goals against Sydney to help guide the Dees’ lethal forward line to a preliminary final against West Coast. But Schwarz lost some of that mercurial spring and mobility when he suffered three knee reconstructions in less than 18 months. He relied more on brute strength in his comeback and still won a best and fairest in 1999.
Key stat: 60 – goals kicked in 1994.
7. Brett Lovett
Every club has its dour, no-frills type, but Lovett just played the percentages better than anyone and invariably shut down key players including Peter Daicos. He moved into the midfield for the 1990 season and almost won a Brownlow Medal behind Tony Liberatore. Was named in the team of the year three times and was Melbourne’s best player in the 1988 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn.
Key stat: 20 – Number of possessions in the ’88 Grand Final loss.
8. Adem Yze
The silky skilled left-footer burst on to the scene kicking five goals in only his 19th game. Mostly though, the slick playmaker carved out a supremely consistent career on the back flank and wing. Was regarded as being one of the best kicks in the competition as he helped guide Melbourne to a Grand Final in 2000. Played 226 straight games. Best and fairest winner in 2001 and All-Australian in 2002.
Key stat: 271 – Games played, the fourth-most at Melbourne.
9. Jeff Farmer
‘The Wizard’ excited Melbourne fans like few others. Only played 118 games for the Dees, but was mega-popular from the day he handballed to an unsuspecting Garry Lyon in the goalsquare in his first year. An All-Australian in 2000 when he booted 76 goals to help spark the Dees to the Grand Final. The spectacular campaign included a nine-goal haul in the second half against Collingwood and eight snags against North Melbourne in the preliminary final. Took a huge hanger on Lyon’s back.
Key stat: 17 – the draft pick Melbourne received when it traded Farmer to Fremantle
10. Nathan Jones
Hard nut midfielder has played his heart out for Melbourne through some of its darkest days. Bashed and crashed onball and then moved out on to a wing in recent years to allow Clayton Oliver and co. to take over. The three-time best and fairest winner has remained incredibly loyal to stay at the Dees. COVID-19 may deny him the chance to become only the second Demon to crack 300 games.
Key stat: 11 – Number of seasons in between finals appearances
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11. Sean Wight
Melbourne’s other gun Irishman was a key member of John Northey’s sides with his dash from defence, high-flying spoils and big grabs pivotal. Fast and strong, Wight always posed a tough challenge for one of the game’s greatest forwards, Gary Ablett Sr. Injuries cost him major honours before lung cancer took his life way too early.
Key stat: 7 – Number of goals he kicked in his first four games.
12. Aaron Davey
His chase-down tackling was one of the most exciting elements in the game when he lit up the Dees’ forward line in his debut 2004 season. The former rookie posed a huge threat in attack with his blinding speed, repeat tackling efforts and nous around goals. Represented Australia twice, won the best-and-fairest moving into the midfield in 2009 and was second in the Rising Star in 2004.
Key stat: 7 – Times he topped 30 possessions in his career-best 2009 season
13. Stephen Tingay
The game-breaking wingman was a weapon on the wing until injuries curtailed career. “Stinga” helped guide Melbourne to the night grand final win in 1989 but fell through a plate-glass window the following year which caused some permanent problems. Tingay peaked in 1994 when he was All-Australian and second in the best-and-fairest.
Key stat: 1 – How many possessions it took to kick his first goal
14. Russell Robertson
Jack-in-the-box full forward ranks third for goals at Melbourne after slotting 428 majors across 228 matches. He was first spotted taking a screamer for Burnie on the Footy Show’s Almost Footy Legends segment and made a regular habit of reeling in spectacular high marks. While he was often pitted against bigger and stronger key defenders, his spring and deadly set shot made him one of the AFL’s most exciting talents, winning the best-and-fairest in 2003.
Key stat: 75 – Number of goals he kicked in 2005.
15. Jeff White
Almost gets lost in the reckoning behind Stynes and Gawn, but White was the glue in the middle for a decade after transferring home from Fremantle. The athletic 195cm big man led the competition for hit-outs in 2000 and 2002 and was judged Melbourne’s best player in their 60-point thumping from Essendon in the 2000 Grand Final. All-Australian and best-and-fairest in 2004.
Key stat: 561 – His tally of hitouts in 2002.
MORE TOP-20
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Collingwood’s top 20 modern era players: Nathan Buckley just edges Scott Pendlebury
Russell Gould ranks the 20 best Essendon players of the past 30 years
Gilbert Gardiner ranks Hawthorn’s top-20 players of the modern era, from 1987 to now
Western Bulldogs modern-era top 20: Chris Grant heads Brad Johnson, Marcus Bontempelli
16. Brad Green
Talented sportsman from Tasmania chose footy over soccer and cricket and played at least 20 games in eight of his first nine AFL seasons. It included a five-goal performance in the qualifying final against Carlton in his first season, but Green’s exquisite kicking skills were an asset all over the ground throughout his 254-game career. Booted 350 goals and was captain at one of the club’s toughest times in 2011. Best-and-fairest and leading goal kicker in 2010.
Key stat: 55 – Number of goals he booted in 2010
17. Cameron Bruce
A Mr fix-it midfielder always looked to have more time than most players with his nonchalant sidesteps. He had a huge 2006 when the Dees were Victoria’s top-placed team and won the best-and-fairest in 2008. Started out as a tagger but became a ball magnet.
Key stat: 8 – Number of Brownlow Medal votes he polled in the first three games of 2005
18. Shane Woewodin
An inspired choice as pre-season draft pick from WA,‘Woey’ blossomed from a dour defender to become a midfield running machine who surprised many winning the Brownlow Medal in 2000. Extraordinarily disciplined in his off-field approach. Traded to Collingwood.
Key stat: 22 – Number of possessions he averaged in 2000.
19. Clayton Oliver
This natural ball-hunter is going to be well inside the top-10 by career’s end. Oliver’s hands and vision in traffic are superb, even if he is still learning to balance his game. Was All-Australian in his third year and has two club champion trophies already. Averaged 28 disposals across his first 83 games and led the league in contested possessions last year.
Key stat: 44 – Number of disposals in Round 2 against Geelong last year
20. Allen Jakovich
Flamboyant full-forward had one of the most remarkable careers in AFL history, bagging 208 goals in just 54 games. Dominated leading out of the goalsquare and was a cult figure, but his professionalism, fitness and team play drew criticism. Kicked eight goals in his last game for Melbourne before a back problem halted his career.
Key stat: 9 – Number of games it took him to kick his first 50 career goals
Originally published as Top-20: The greatest Melbourne players from 1987-2020, led by Garry Lyon