At the end of the 2008 season, the Melbourne Football Club was the laughing stock of the competition, with no money and a wooden spoon to its name.
Sure, seven rounds into season 2009, Melbourne sits on the bottom of the table and the questions are still being asked when will they fold or merge with North Melbourne.
Let me get one thing straight, the Melbourne Football Club is here to stay and is starting to show great improvements on and off the field.
For the first time in the history of the Melbourne Football Club, their membership sales have reached 30,000, quite an amazing effort considering they won only three games last season.
With Jimmy Stynes at the helm, and with the support of many past legends of the club, the debt has been dramtically cut and the financial side of things are looking positive.
Not only has the off field performances improved, there has been an improved on-field effort by the squad in recent weeks which should have Melbourne supporters looking forward to the future.
The form of Jack Watts on his VFL debut showed enough to demonstrate the recruiters got it right selecting him at number one in last year’s draft.
Throw in the likes of Jamie Bennell, Neville Jetta, Cale Morton and Stefan Martin, and the future is looking very bright and for once a smile should be on the face of Melbourne supporters.
Melbourne may very well finish on the bottom of the ladder once again this season, but will take a lot out of the season with many of the younger players getting valuable senior experience.
No matter what happens this season, in the coming years, Melbourne will be back to their fighting best on and off the field.
There are plenty of exciting times ahead at Demon land.
Paddy Higgs
Guest
2010 might be too soon Troy, but in time the circle will turn for the Demons, particularly with their off-field operations in line.
Michael C
Guest
Is Jim Stynes the new Don Cordner? (as far as comparisons go). btw - was saddened to hear of his passing. How's Michael Newton going? He who got mark of the year 2 years ago (largely because Aaron Edwards beauty in the finals didn't count....mumble grumble bah humbug..)
matta
Guest
well said Kurt....I thought I saw some track marks today but wanst quite sure what they were. After reading this piece I see now they were bandwagon tracks. Simon "Melbourne had just under 30,000 members last year Kurt - I reckon they’re here to stay" Bah ha.. and they might turn up to games unless it the opening of the ski season, grape grazing weekend, Scotch are playing Grammar, Scotch are playing Xavs, Grammar are playing Xavs, the young liberals weekend retreat isn't on etc etc.
Redb
Roar Guru
edit: I thought Melbourne must have played fairly well to get close to West Coast in perth. Whilst West Coast are’nt exactly setting the world on fire.... sheesh i need an edit button. ;-)
Redb
Roar Guru
I thought Melbourne msut ahve paleyd fairlyweel to get clsoe to West Coast in perth. Whilst West Coast are'nt exactly setting the wprld on fire, they were hardly easy beats for Melbourne. Russell Robertson straightens them up. Off the field they have done a very good job and i wish them all the best in comign seasons just not against the Bombers. In fact you can have a flag after 2013 once we've snagged a couple in 2011 and 2012. :-) Redb
Lazza
Guest
Where were those 30,000 members when they played the Adelaide Crows? Playing interstate teams shows any Melbourne clubs true fan base. There were only 14k at the game and half would of been Crows fans who travelled to Melbourne for the game? If you are hopeless for long enough, the AFL's draft system will hand you success eventually unless you are Richmond or the Dockers. Hardly seems a deserved way to win a premiership but that's the system we have.
Snowy11
Roar Rookie
Lets be honest guys, the off field team at Melbourne now are exactly what melbourne needed. With a lot of draft picks in the last three years and probably one and two this year Melbourne are placed nicely with the introduction of the new Gold Coast team. Things are definitely looking up.
Mark E
Guest
well you have a great football manager and an excellent ceo...so there is no doubt Melbourne is on the way up.
Simon
Guest
Melbourne had just under 30,000 members last year Kurt - I reckon they're here to stay.
Kurt
Guest
I think your optimism is touching and not completely misplaced, but perhaps a little premature. Yes the club now has 30,000 members, but how many of those are the same group who bought North Melbourne memberships last year out of a desire to support a traditional club's attempts to survive? You name some good youngsters, but again it is way too soon to be suggesting they hold the key to a long term resurgence. Let's check on the list in another 12 months or so and see how they're going.