2009 Melbourne Football Club season

Melbourne Football Club
2009 season

Melbourne vs St Kilda 2009
President Jim Stynes
(2nd season)
Coach Dean Bailey
(2nd season)
Captain(s) James McDonald
(2nd season)
Home ground MCG
(100,018 capacity)
Pre-season First round
AFL season 16th
Finals series DNQ
Best and Fairest Aaron Davey
Leading goalkicker Russell Robertson
(29 goals)
Highest home attendance 61,287
(round 11 vs. Collingwood)
Lowest home attendance 7,311
(round 17 vs. Sydney)
Average home attendance 27,570
Club membership 31,506
(Increase 1,887 / Increase 6.37%)

The 2009 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 110th year in the VFL/AFL since it began in 1897.

Melbourne hosted 10 of its 11 home games at the MCG. For the third year in a row, they played their remaining home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital, Canberra, against the Sydney Swans during Round 17. Dean Bailey coached his second year as senior coach at Melbourne. After taking the captaincy from David Neitz in round 6 the year before with Cameron Bruce, James McDonald was made full-time captain for the season.[1]

On 2 August, Melbourne president Jim Stynes announced he was diagnosed with cancer and would be stepping aside from his duties until the conclusion of the 2009 AFL season.[2] Don McLardy took over as acting president for that period of time.

Melbourne continued their Debt Demolition campaign in the month of August raising $567,132 and cutting their debt to $1.5 million.[3] Melbourne also had a yearly profit of $587,183.[4]

Melbourne only won four matches for the year, receiving their 12th wooden spoon. Melbourne came under scrutiny in the later rounds of the season (most notably in round 18 against Richmond) for "tanking", i.e. losing games in order to receive a priority draft pick;[5] but, after extensive investigations in 2012 and 2013, the AFL found the club not guilty of these allegations.[6] Because the Demons won four games or fewer for the second year in a row, the club received a priority pick at the start of the 2009 National Draft.

2009 list changes

Retirements and delistings

Player New club League Reason
David Neitz Unknown Unknown Retired
Ben Holland Unknown Unknown Retired
Isaac Weetra Port Adelaide Magpies SANFL Delisted
Jace Bode Norwood SANFL Delisted
Adem Yze Box Hill Hawks VFL Delisted
Jeff White Redland QAFL Delisted
Chris Johnson Carlton AFL Delisted

National draft

Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from
1 1 Jack Watts Victoria (Australia) Forward Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup
Priority 17 Sam Blease Victoria (Australia) Midfield Eastern Ranges TAC Cup
2 19 James Strauss Victoria (Australia) Forward Oakleigh Chargers TAC Cup
3 35 Jamie Bennell Western Australia Utility Swan Districts WAFL
4 51 Neville Jetta Western Australia Defender Swan Districts WAFL
5 64 Rohan Bail Queensland Defender Mount Gravatt QAFL

Pre-season draft

Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from
1 1 Liam Jurrah Northern Territory Forward Yuendemu
Nightcliff
CAFL
NTFL

Rookie draft

Round Overall pick Player State Position Team from League from
1 1 Jordie McKenzie Victoria (Australia) Midfield Geelong Falcons TAC Cup
2 17 Rhys Healey Victoria (Australia) Forward/Midfield Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup
3 33 Daniel Hughes Victoria (Australia) Forward Melbourne AFL

2009 squad

Melbourne Football Club
Senior list Rookie List Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain
  • (vc) Vice captain

2009 season

Pre-Season

NAB Cup and NAB Challenge

Week 1
Round 1
Saturday, 21 February (4:10 pm) Hawthorn def. Melbourne York Park (Crowd: 8,122) Report
0.4.0 (24)
0.5.1 (31)
0.5.2 (32)
0.11.3 (69)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
0.4.5 (29)
0.5.6 (36)
1.8.8 (65)
1.8.9 (66)
Television broadcast: None

Practice Matches

Week 2
Week 2
Saturday, 28 February (1:00 pm) Melbourne def. by Sydney Visy Park (Crowd: 3,000 est.) Report



8.7 (55)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final



9.9 (63)
Television broadcast: None
Week 3
Week 3
Friday, 6 March (7.30 pm) Brisbane Lions def. by Melbourne Cazaly's Stadium (Crowd: 4,000 est.) Report



4.12 (36)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final



11.7 (73)
Television broadcast: None
Week 4
Week 4
Saturday, 14 March (2.00 pm) Melbourne def. by Western Bulldogs Casey Fields (Crowd: 2,500 est.) Report



10.3 (63)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final



14.17 (101)
Television broadcast: None

Home and away season

Round 1

Round 1
Sunday, 29 March (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. by North Melbourne MCG (Crowd: 28,707) Report
3.3 (21)
6.5 (41)
9.6 (60)
10.7 (67)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
3.3 (21)
7.6 (48)
11.8 (74)
15.11 (101)
Television broadcast: Foxtel
Green 2, Petterd 2, Bate, Davey, Jetta, Johnson, Moloney, Morton Goals McIntosh 3, Campbell 2, Petrie 2, Thomas 2, Firrito, Hale, Harding, Harvey, McMahon, Simpson

    Debut(s): Jamie Bennell, Kyle Cheney, Neville Jetta, Jake Spencer
    Milestone(s): Neville Jetta (1st AFL Goal)
    Brownlow Votes: Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne) 3 votes, Leigh Harding (North Melbourne) 2 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 1 vote
    Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws (66.34%)
    Ladder Position: 13th

    Round 2

    Round 2
    Saturday, 4 April (2:10 pm) Collingwood def. Melbourne MCG (Crowd: 43,169) Report
    3.1 (19)
    8.3 (51)
    14.7 (91)
    17.15 (117)
    Q1
    Q2
    Q3
    Final
    5.2 (32)
    7.2 (44)
    9.4 (58)
    10.4 (64)
    Television broadcast: Network Ten
    Anthony 4, Didak 3, Cloke 2, Lockyer 2, Brown, Davis, Fraser, Beams, Medhurst, Swan Goals Green 3, Bruce, Johnson, Bate, McLean, Miller, Morton, Petterd

      Milestone(s): Matthew Bate (50th AFL Game)
      Brownlow Votes: Josh Fraser (Collingwood) 3 votes, Alan Didak (Collingwood) 2 votes, Aaron Davey (Melbourne) 1 vote
      Record: 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws (60.1%)
      Ladder Position: 15th

      Round 3

      Round 3
      Sunday, 11 April (12:40 pm) Port Adelaide def. Melbourne AAMI Stadium (Crowd: 21,030) Report
      3.3 (21)
      10.5 (65)
      16.12 (108)
      22. 15 (147)
      Q1
      Q2
      Q3
      Final
      2.1 (13)
      4.4 (28)
      7.5 (47)
      14.6 (90)
      Television broadcast: Foxtel

        Debut(s): John Meesen
        Milestone(s): Aaron Davey (100th AFL Game) Jamie Bennell (1st AFL Goal)
        Brownlow Votes: Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide) 3 votes, Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) 2 votes, Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) 1 vote
        Record: 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws (60.5%)
        Ladder Position: 15th

        Round 4

        Round 4
        Sunday, 19 April (2:10 pm) Richmond def. by Melbourne MCG (Crowd: 40,765) Report
        2.3 (15)
        5.6 (36)
        9.7 (61)
        13.14 (92)
        Q1
        Q2
        Q3
        Final
        2.6 (18)
        10.7 (67)
        13.11 (89)
        14.16 (100)
        Television broadcast: Seven Network

          Brownlow Votes:Matthew Richardson (Richmond) 3 votes, Aaron Davey (Melbourne) 2 votes, Brock McLean (Melbourne) 1 vote
          Record: 1 Win, 3 Losses, 0 Draws(70.2%)
          Ladder Position: 14th

          Round 5

          Round 5
          Sunday, 26 April (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Adelaide MCG (Crowd: 14,129) Report
          0.1 (1)
          0.3 (3)
          1.6 (12)
          4.10 (34)
          Q1
          Q2
          Q3
          Final
          2.4 (16)
          4.6 (30)
          5.7 (37)
          7.9 (51)
          Television broadcast: Foxtel

            Brownlow Votes: Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) 3 votes, Ben Rutten (Adelaide) 2 votes, Bernie Vince (Adelaide) 1 vote
            Record: 1 Win, 4 Losses, 0 Draws (69.9%)
            Ladder Position: 15th

            Round 6

            Round 6
            Sunday, 3 May (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Geelong MCG (Crowd: 36,932) Report
            2.4 (16)
            2.6 (30)
            6.7 (43)
            10.8 (68)
            Q1
            Q2
            Q3
            Final
            3.3 (21)
            9.8 (62)
            12.17 (89)
            15.21 (111)
            Television broadcast: Seven Network

              Milestone(s): Clint Bartram (50th AFL Game)
              Brownlow Votes: Paul Chapman (Geelong) 3 votes, Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) 2 votes, Steve Johnson (Geelong) 1 vote
              Record: 1 Win, 5 Losses, 0 Draws (68.3%)
              Ladder Position: 16th

              Round 7

              Round 7
              Sunday, 10 May (4:40 pm) West Coast def. Melbourne Subiaco Oval (Crowd: 35,209) Report
              2.4 (16)
              7.7 (49)
              11.12 (78)
              12.18 (90)
              Q1
              Q2
              Q3
              Final
              1.1 (7)
              7.3 (45)
              10.3 (63)
              13.4 (82)
              Television broadcast: Foxtel

                Milestone(s): Paul Johnson (50th AFL Game)
                Brownlow Votes: Mark LeCras (West Coast) 3 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 2 votes, Adam Selwood (West Coast) 1 vote
                Record: 1 Win, 6 Losses, 0 Draws(71.2%)
                Ladder Position: 16th

                Round 8

                Round 8
                Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Western Bulldogs MCG (Crowd: 28,279) Report
                5.2 (32)
                10.3 (63)
                11.4 (70)
                15.7 (97)
                Q1
                Q2
                Q3
                Final
                3.3 (21)
                9.6 (60)
                12.10 (82)
                15.14 (104)
                Television broadcast: Foxtel

                  Brownlow Votes: Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) 3 votes, Paul Johnson (Melbourne) 2 votes, Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs) 1 vote
                  Record: 1 Win, 7 Losses, 0 Draws (74.0%)
                  Ladder Position: 16th

                  Round 9

                  Round 9
                  Sunday, 24 May (4:40 pm) Hawthorn def. Melbourne MCG (Crowd: 39,395) Report
                  6.2 (38)
                  11.7 (73)
                  16.9 (105)
                  17.12 (114)
                  Q1
                  Q2
                  Q3
                  Final
                  2.5 (17)
                  4.6 (30)
                  8.10 (58)
                  13.14 (92)
                  Television broadcast: Foxtel

                    Milestone(s): Stefan Martin (1st AFL Goal)
                    Brownlow Votes: Colin Sylvia (Melbourne) 3 votes, Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) 2 votes, Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) 1 vote
                    Record: 1 Win, 8 Losses, 0 Draws (74.9%)
                    Ladder Position: 16th

                    Round 10

                    Round 10
                    Saturday, 30 May (7:10 pm) St Kilda def. Melbourne Carrara Stadium (Crowd: 9,112) Report
                    5.3 (33)
                    7.8 (50)
                    10.11 (71)
                    11.17 (83)
                    Q1
                    Q2
                    Q3
                    Final
                    4.5 (29)
                    6.6 (42)
                    6.6 (42)
                    6.20 (46)
                    Television broadcast: Foxtel

                      Milestone(s): James Frawley (1st AFL Goal)
                      Brownlow Votes: Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) 3 votes, Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) 2 votes, Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 1 vote
                      Record: 1 Win, 9 Losses, 0 Draws (73.3%)
                      Ladder Position: 16th

                      Round 11

                      Round 11
                      Monday, 8 June (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Collingwood MCG (Crowd: 61,287) Report
                      0.4 (4)
                      5.6 (36)
                      6.9 (45)
                      8.12 (60)
                      Q1
                      Q2
                      Q3
                      Final
                      7.4 (46)
                      10.7 (67)
                      16.11 (107)
                      19.12 (126)
                      Television broadcast: Network Ten

                        Debut(s): Jack Watts
                        Brownlow Votes: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 3 votes, Colin Sylvia (Melbourne) 2 votes, Brad Dick (Collingwood) 1 vote
                        Record: 1 Win, 10 Losses, 0 Draws (70.4%)
                        Ladder Position: 16th

                        Round 12

                        Round 12
                        Friday, 19 June (7:40 pm) Essendon def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (Crowd: 42,087) Report
                        6.3 (39)
                        10.7 (67)
                        17.13 (115)
                        19.17 (131)
                        Q1
                        Q2
                        Q3
                        Final
                        3.2 (20)
                        8.3 (51)
                        9.3 (57)
                        13.5 (83)
                        Television broadcast: Seven Network

                          Debut(s): Liam Jurrah
                          Brownlow Votes: Jobe Watson (Essendon) 3 votes, Scott Lucas (Essendon) 2 votes, Adam McPhee (Essendon) 1 vote
                          Record:1 Win, 11 Losses, 0 Draws (69.7%)
                          Ladder Position: 16th

                          Round 13

                          Round 13
                          Saturday, 27 June (7:10 pm) Brisbane Lions def. Melbourne Gabba (Crowd: 23,750) Report
                          3.4 (22)
                          9.7 (61)
                          13.13 (91)
                          16.15 (111)
                          Q1
                          Q2
                          Q3
                          Final
                          2.0 (12)
                          2.2 (14)
                          2.5 (17)
                          8.8 (56)
                          Television broadcast: Foxtel

                            Brownlow Votes: Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) 3 votes, Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) 2 votes, Luke Power (Brisbane Lions) 1 vote
                            Record: 1 Win, 12 Losses, 0 Draws (68.1%)
                            Ladder Position: 16th

                            Round 14

                            Round 14
                            Saturday, 4 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. West Coast MCG (Crowd: 23,149) Report
                            6.1 (37)
                            11.2 (68)
                            16.6 (102)
                            17.10 (112)
                            Q1
                            Q2
                            Q3
                            Final
                            4.6 (30)
                            7.8 (50)
                            11.12 (78)
                            13.14 (92)
                            Television broadcast: Network Ten

                              Brownlow Votes: Jack Grimes (Melbourne) 3 votes, Brent Moloney (Melbourne) 2 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 1 vote
                              Record: 2 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws (71.5%)
                              Ladder Position: 16th

                              Round 15

                              Round 15
                              Sunday, 12 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. Port Adelaide MCG (Crowd: 15,888) Report
                              4.2 (26)
                              9.6 (60)
                              13.9 (87)
                              15.11 (101)
                              Q1
                              Q2
                              Q3
                              Final
                              3.3 (21)
                              7.6 (48)
                              10.8 (68)
                              13.12 (90)
                              Television broadcast: Seven Network

                                Brownlow Votes: Brent Moloney (Melbourne) 3 votes, Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide) 2 votes, Toby Thurstans (Port Adelaide) 1 vote
                                Record: 3 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws (73.8%)
                                Ladder Position: 15th

                                Round 16

                                Round 16
                                Saturday, 18 July (2:10 pm) Geelong def. Melbourne Skilled Stadium (Crowd: 21,160) Report
                                7.4 (46)
                                9.9 (63)
                                14.13 (97)
                                17.15 (117)
                                Q1
                                Q2
                                Q3
                                Final
                                0.2 (2)
                                3.2 (20)
                                7.3 (45)
                                11.5 (71)
                                Television broadcast: Network Ten

                                  Brownlow Votes: Matthew Scarlett (Geelong) 3 votes, Paul Chapman (Geelong) 2 votes, Gary Ablett (Geelong) 1 vote
                                  Record: 3 Wins, 13 Losses, 0 Draws (72.9%)
                                  Ladder Position: 15th

                                  Round 17

                                  Round 17
                                  Sunday, 26 July (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Sydney Manuka Oval (Crowd: 7,311) Report
                                  1.2 (8)
                                  2.6 (18)
                                  4.11 (35)
                                  6.14 (50)
                                  Q1
                                  Q2
                                  Q3
                                  Final
                                  3.4 (22)
                                  6.6 (42)
                                  7.6 (48)
                                  10.8 (68)
                                  Television broadcast: Foxtel

                                    Debut(s): Jordie McKenzie
                                    Brownlow Votes: Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney) 3 votes, Rhyce Shaw (Sydney) 2 votes, Darren Jolly (Sydney) 1 vote
                                    Record: 3 Wins, 14 Losses, 0 Draws (73.0%)
                                    Ladder Position: 16th

                                    Round 18

                                    Round 18
                                    Sunday, 2 August (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. by Richmond MCG (Crowd: 37,438) Report
                                    2.0 (12)
                                    4.3 (27)
                                    8.7 (55)
                                    12.10 (82)
                                    Q1
                                    Q2
                                    Q3
                                    Final
                                    1.5 (11)
                                    4.8 (32)
                                    7.10 (52)
                                    12.14 (86)
                                    Television broadcast: Foxtel

                                      Brownlow Votes: Ben Cousins (Richmond) 3 votes, James McDonald (Melbourne) 2 votes, Brett Deledio (Richmond) 1 vote
                                      Record: 3 Wins, 15 Losses, 0 Draws (74.0%)
                                      Ladder Position: 16th

                                      Round 19

                                      Round 19
                                      Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) North Melbourne def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (Crowd: 16,594) Report
                                      4.1 (25)
                                      7.5 (47)
                                      14.8 (92)
                                      19.9 (123)
                                      Q1
                                      Q2
                                      Q3
                                      Final
                                      3.3 (21)
                                      3.7 (25)
                                      7.10 (52)
                                      8.13 (61)
                                      Television broadcast: Foxtel

                                        Debut(s): Rohan Bail, Tom McNamara
                                        Milestone(s): Lynden Dunn (50th AFL Game)
                                        Brownlow Votes: Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) 3 votes, Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) 2 votes, Drew Petrie (North Melbourne) 1 vote
                                        Record: 3 Wins, 16 Losses, 0 Draws (72.5%)
                                        Ladder Position: 16th

                                        Round 20

                                        Round 20
                                        Sunday, 16 August (1:10 pm) Melbourne def. Fremantle MCG (Crowd: 13,004) Report
                                        4.0 (24)
                                        9.4 (58)
                                        13.5 (83)
                                        20.7 (127)
                                        Q1
                                        Q2
                                        Q3
                                        Final
                                        3.4 (22)
                                        4.7 (31)
                                        6.9 (45)
                                        9.10 (64)
                                        Television broadcast: Foxtel

                                          Milestone(s): Tom McNamara(1st AFL Goal)
                                          Brownlow Votes: Aaron Davey (Melbourne) 3 votes, Matthew Bate (Melbourne) 2 votes, Shane Valenti (Melbourne) 1 vote
                                          Record: 4 Wins, 16 Losses, 0 Draws (76.5%)
                                          Ladder Position: 16th

                                          Round 21

                                          Round 21
                                          Saturday, 22 August (2:10 pm) Carlton def. Melbourne Etihad Stadium (Crowd: 37,433) Report
                                          6.3 (39)
                                          12.5 (77)
                                          18.9 (117)
                                          24.9 (153)
                                          Q1
                                          Q2
                                          Q3
                                          Final
                                          4.2 (26)
                                          8.3 (51)
                                          12.4 (76)
                                          15.6 (96)
                                          Television broadcast: Network Ten

                                            Brownlow Votes: Chris Judd (Carlton) 3 votes, Brendan Fevola (Carlton) 2 votes, Marc Murphy (Carlton) 1 vote
                                            Record: 4 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws (75.5%)
                                            Ladder Position: 16th

                                            Round 22

                                            Round 22
                                            Sunday, 30 August (2:10 pm) Melbourne def. by St Kilda MCG (Crowd: 36,748) Report
                                            4.2 (26)
                                            6.5 941)
                                            8.6 (54)
                                            10.7 (67)
                                            Q1
                                            Q2
                                            Q3
                                            Final
                                            2.2 (14)
                                            7.5 (47)
                                            10.10 (70)
                                            19.12 (114)
                                            Television broadcast: Seven Network

                                              Brownlow Votes: Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) 3 votes, Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 2 votes, Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) 1 vote
                                              Record: 4 Wins, 18 Losses, 0 Draws (74.7%)
                                              Ladder Position: 16th

                                              Notable matches

                                              NAB Cup and NAB Challenge

                                              Week 1: Melbourne looked to be on the verge of causing an upset over the 2008 Premiers, Hawthorn, leading 1.8.8 (65) to 0.5.2 (32) at three-quarter time. However, the Hawks made a successful comeback, keeping the 2008 wooden spooners goal-less in the final quarter as Jarryd Roughead snatched the lead back for Hawthorn with a mark and a goal 30 seconds from full-time.

                                              Home and away season

                                              Round 4: Melbourne registered their first win of the season defeating a winless Richmond by 8 points. Despite holding a 31-point lead at half time, the Demons held off a fast finishing Tigers outfit in the final quarter to secure their first win against a Victorian team since round 22, 2007. It was also Melbourne's first win as the "away" side since round 14, 2007.

                                              Round 10: Melbourne put up a brave first half effort against an undefeated St Kilda, trailing by only 8 points at the main break. However, the Saints kept Melbourne goalless in the second half to finish out comfortable winners by 27 points.

                                              Round 11: In the Queen's Birthday clash, the 2008 number 1 draft pick Jack Watts made his debut against Collingwood. He received a harsh welcoming to the AFL when he came off from the interchange bench for the first time in the game: Watts was immediately crunched by the larger bodies of three Collingwood players while the ball came his direction,[7] as Melbourne suffered its biggest loss for the season (66 points).

                                              Round 12: Liam Jurrah (the first AFL player from a remote tribal community) made his AFL debut, against Essendon. He kicked his first goal with a marking attempt that turned into a falling crumb in the goal-square. This goal was nominated for Goal of the Year. Melbourne were out-classed by the Bombers, losing easily by 48 points.

                                              Round 14: On 2 July, in an emotional press conference, Melbourne president Jim Stynes announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and had to step down as president for the rest of the season. Melbourne played its most emotional game of the year against West Coast and recorded its highest first quarter score of the season. Despite a late charge by the Eagles in the final quarter, Melbourne resisted the attack and won the game by 20 points. After the match, the players headed into the dressing rooms holding up Stynes' infamous number 37 guernsey, which he wore during the 1987 Preliminary Final against Hawthorn. Jack Grimes received the NAB Rising Star nomination for round 14.

                                              Round 15: Melbourne won consecutive games for the first time since round 11, 2007 when it downed Port Adelaide by 11 points, after holding a 30-point lead midway through the third quarter. Liam Jurrah received the NAB Rising Star nomination for Round 15.

                                              Round 18: In a match that was criticised for tanking strategies, Jordan McMahon took a mark in Richmond's forward 50 and goaled after the final siren to give the Tigers a 4-point win. During the game Melbourne coach Dean Bailey placed several players in unusual positions. These included placing ruckman Paul Johnson and midfielder James McDonald in the backline; playing forward Brad Miller in the ruck; placing defenders James Frawley and Matthew Warnock in the forward line, as well as leaving Russell Robertson and Colin Sylvia out of the game for Michael Newton and rookie Jake Spencer.[8]

                                              Round 20: In front of a crowd of only 13,004, Melbourne inflicted its only thrashing of the season against fellow cellar dwellers Fremantle after a blowout in the second quarter to win by 63 points. They would record its first 60-point victory since round 8, 2006 as well as the first time they scored 20 or more goals in a game since round 22, 2007.

                                              Round 22: Veterans Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan played their last ever AFL match, against ladder leaders St Kilda. Melbourne put on another strong first half performance, trailing by only a goal at half time, which included a backwards goal from Liam Jurrah at the start of the quarter. However, St Kilda ran over the top of Melbourne in the second half, winning comfortably by 47 points to secure the minor premiership. Melbourne, on the other hand, received the wooden spoon and ensured that their priority pick would be safe. They had the first and second picks in the 2009 AFL draft.

                                              Ladder

                                              2009 AFL Ladder
                                              Team P W L D PF PA % Pts
                                              1 St Kilda 22 20 2 0 2197 1411 155.71 80
                                              2 Geelong (P) 22 18 4 0 2312 1815 127.38 72
                                              3 Western Bulldogs 22 15 7 0 2378 1940 122.58 60
                                              4 Collingwood 22 15 7 0 2174 1778 122.27 60
                                              5 Adelaide 22 14 8 0 2104 1789 117.61 56
                                              6 Brisbane Lions 22 13 8 1 2017 1890 106.72 54
                                              7 Carlton 22 13 9 0 2270 2055 110.46 52
                                              8 Essendon 22 10 11 1 2080 2127 97.79 42
                                              9 Hawthorn 22 9 13 0 1962 2120 92.55 36
                                              10 Port Adelaide 22 9 13 0 1990 2244 88.68 36
                                              11 West Coast 22 8 14 0 1893 2029 93.30 32
                                              12 Sydney 22 8 14 0 1888 2027 93.14 32
                                              13 North Melbourne 22 7 14 1 1680 2015 83.37 30
                                              14 Fremantle 22 6 16 0 1747 2259 77.34 24
                                              15 Richmond 22 5 16 1 1774 2388 74.29 22
                                              16 Melbourne 22 4 18 0 1706 2285 74.66 16
                                              Key: P = Played, W = Won, L = Lost, D = Drawn, PF = Points for, PA = Points against

                                              Ladder breakdown by opposition

                                              Opponent Played Won Lost Drew Premiership points Points for Points against Percentage (%)
                                              Fremantle 1 1 0 0 4 127 64 198.44
                                              West Coast 2 1 1 0 4 194 182 106.59
                                              Richmond 2 1 1 0 4 182 178 102.25
                                              Western Bulldogs 1 0 1 0 0 97 104 93.27
                                              Hawthorn 1 0 1 0 0 92 114 80.70
                                              Port Adelaide 2 1 1 0 4 191 237 80.59
                                              Sydney 1 0 1 0 0 50 68 73.53
                                              Adelaide 1 0 1 0 0 34 51 66.67
                                              Essendon 1 0 1 0 0 83 131 63.36
                                              Carlton 1 0 1 0 0 96 153 62.75
                                              Geelong 2 0 2 0 0 139 228 60.96
                                              St Kilda 2 0 2 0 0 113 197 57.36
                                              North Melbourne 2 0 2 0 0 128 224 57.14
                                              Collingwood 2 0 2 0 0 124 243 51.03
                                              Brisbane Lions 1 0 1 0 0 56 111 50.45
                                              Total 22 4 18 0 16 1706 2285 74.66

                                              Brownlow Medal

                                              Brownlow Medal tally

                                              Player 1 vote games 2 vote games 3 vote games Total votes
                                              Aaron Davey 1 1 1 (6)
                                              Colin Sylvia 0 1 1 (5)
                                              Brent Moloney 0 1 1 (5)
                                              Nathan Jones 2 1 0 (4)
                                              Jack Grimes 0 0 1 (3)
                                              James McDonald 0 1 0 (2)
                                              Paul Johnson 0 1 0 (2)
                                              Matthew Bate 0 1 0 (2)
                                              Brock McLean 1 0 0 (1)
                                              Shane Valenti 1 0 0 (1)
                                              Total 5 7 4 (31)

                                              Awards

                                              Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)

                                              Position Player Votes
                                              1st Aaron Davey (82)
                                              2nd Brent Moloney (69)
                                              3rd Cameron Bruce (56)
                                              4th Matthew Bate (47)
                                              5th Nathan Jones (44)
                                              5th Colin Sylvia (44)
                                              5th Matthew Warnock (44)
                                              8th James Frawley (43)
                                              10th James McDonald (42)
                                              10th Cale Morton (42)

                                              Keith 'Bluey' Truscott TrophyAaron Davey

                                              Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (Second in the Best and Fairest)Brent Moloney

                                              Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (Third in the Best and Fairest)Cameron Bruce

                                              Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy (Fourth in the Best and Fairest)Matthew Bate

                                              Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (Fifth in the Best and Fairest)Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Warnock

                                              Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player)Liam Jurrah

                                              Troy Broadbridge Trophy (highest polling MFC player in the Casey Best and Fairest)Shane Valenti

                                              Ron Barassi Leadership AwardBrent Moloney

                                              Ian Ridley Club Ambassador AwardShane Valenti

                                              Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (Coach's Award)James Frawley

                                              Leading Goalkicker AwardRussell Robertson (29)

                                              References

                                              1. "Melbourne confirms midfielder Jame McDonald as captain". 15 January 2009.
                                              2. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/demons-legend-jim-stynes-speaks-of-battle-with-cancer/story-0-1225744966524
                                              3. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-demons-record-profit/story-e6frf9jf-1225812448670
                                              4. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/88348/default.aspx
                                              5. http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/melbourne-demons-unusual-tactics-against-richmond-spark-new-tanking-claims/story-e6frf3e3-1225757295049
                                              6. Cooper, Adam (20 February 2013). "Integrity intact: Demons". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 20 February 2013.
                                              7. Baum, Greg (9 June 2009). "Demon diehards applaud their glimpse of the future - RFNews - theage.com.au". The Age (Melbourne).
                                              8. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/expert-opinion/how-melbourne-tanked-in-2009/story-fn6cisdj-1226107012777

                                              External links

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