CLUB historian Lynda Carroll reflects on Melbourne’s stunning 1998 season, when it rose from wooden spoon to fourth, in the second of a three-part series running over the next three weeks.
ROUNDS 12 and 13 were the low point of the 1998 season for Melbourne.
However, the first game, against Geelong, provided a fine setting for farewelling club great Brett Lovett with a lap of honour at the start of the day. After that, it was all downhill. Melbourne’s first goal was kicked just before the long break, and despite a spirited second half effort, the 95-point margin told the story. To add to the bleakness, Jamie Shanahan was suspended for two weeks for striking, while David Schwarz was sidelined - for five weeks - after sustaining a hamstring injury. Round 13 against St Kilda then perpetuated the grief, with an 85-point loss.
After this, the only way was up, against an unexpected foe, in a typically hostile setting - against the Eagles, at Subiaco. With a depleted line up, it was over to the younger members of the team to excel, and they did. James McDonald kicked four goals, as did Russell Robertson, in the process picking up a Norwich Rising Star nomination. Running out 17-point winners, it was Melbourne’s first victory over the Eagles in Western Australia since Round 20, 1990, putting the red and blue back in the eight.
Sadly, the effect of the success in the west was short lived, with a battle at Optus Oval against the Western Bulldogs seeing a three-goal loss despite desperate efforts from the Demons. Both Anthony McDonald and Marcus Seecamp scored memorable goals in the game’s dying minutes, but it was too late to drag the match back.
This uncertain form meant that Melbourne was being shuffled in and out of the top eight each week. Fortunately, the Round 16 win over Fremantle helped the red and blue cause immeasurably. Garry Lyon dominated in the second half with four goals, while David Neitz celebrated a triumphant return from early season injury with three goals, and Stephen Tingay took control on the wing, scoring two goals and 20 possessions.
Sadly, the seesaw continued to impact the following week, with an ominous 65-point loss to a rampant North Melbourne. It was a despondent result, with Wayne Carey and Shannon Grant dominating for the Roos. But, while nobody knew it at the time, this would be Melbourne’s last loss for almost two months.
Round 18 was a highlight game, the Brisbane Lions falling victim to a resurgent Melbourne by 95 points. It was moved from Waverley to the MCG, and on the game’s centre stage, the Demons responded accordingly. Jeff White played his 50th AFL game, teaming with Jim Stynes to outclass Matthew Clarke, while Jeff Farmer kicked six goals and Garry Lyon kicked five, taking him to second place on Melbourne’s all-time goals table. The remaining eleven goals were divided between nine players, including Tingay. He was best on ground, defeating four opponents and kicking a towering goal from fifty metres out early in the first quarter.
Back at the MCG again the next week, Round 19 was a delight for the Demons, up against the Blues. Farmer and Lyon dominated the goals again, kicking three and five respectively, but even they were surpassed, by Schwarz. He kicked a bag of six, five of which were scored during the third quarter. Matthew Collins made his debut for Melbourne in this match, and Carlton coach David Parkin forecast - with good reason - that if the Demons made the finals, they could cause chaos.
If it were possible, Round 20 was even better than the victory at Carlton - not least because the win was scored deep in enemy territory, against Port Adelaide at Football Park. It was Steven Febey’s 200th, and early on, the signs were not good. Opposition inaccuracy kept Melbourne in the game, and at half time, a blast from Neale Daniher flicked the switch. In the second half, Melbourne’s 11.5 to Port’s 6.1 helped to deliver a 23 point win. Schwarz kicked four goals before limping off, injured, while Darren Kowal and Todd Viney kicked three each, in what was another step on the road to a finals berth.
Up against Sydney in Round 21, Melbourne’s fourth win in a row cemented a finals berth, in what was the first night game for the team in 1998, and the first Monday match of the season. The goals were shared around in a frenetic contest, which saw Sydney get to within 19 points early in the final term. Farmer scored four, while Neitz kicked three, and Lyon, Woewodin and A.McDonald two apiece. The ground invasion that marked Tony Lockett’s 100th goal for the season - despite being held well by Shanahan - was the only note of celebration for the opposition.
So, heading into Round 22, it was nearly finals time, and the last match of the home and away season - an MCG encounter with Richmond - was marked by a cavalcade of Club legends to commemorate Melbourne’s 140th birthday. It was also a milestone for Tingay, playing his 150th game for the Demons. With Farmer taking one of the marks of the year, Melbourne overran the hapless Tigers by 76 points, ruling them out of the finals. When the siren sounded, Melbourne was fourth on the ladder, and ready for September.
ROUNDS 12 and 13 were the low point of the 1998 season for Melbourne.
However, the first game, against Geelong, provided a fine setting for farewelling club great Brett Lovett with a lap of honour at the start of the day. After that, it was all downhill. Melbourne’s first goal was kicked just before the long break, and despite a spirited second half effort, the 95-point margin told the story. To add to the bleakness, Jamie Shanahan was suspended for two weeks for striking, while David Schwarz was sidelined - for five weeks - after sustaining a hamstring injury. Round 13 against St Kilda then perpetuated the grief, with an 85-point loss.
After this, the only way was up, against an unexpected foe, in a typically hostile setting - against the Eagles, at Subiaco. With a depleted line up, it was over to the younger members of the team to excel, and they did. James McDonald kicked four goals, as did Russell Robertson, in the process picking up a Norwich Rising Star nomination. Running out 17-point winners, it was Melbourne’s first victory over the Eagles in Western Australia since Round 20, 1990, putting the red and blue back in the eight.
Sadly, the effect of the success in the west was short lived, with a battle at Optus Oval against the Western Bulldogs seeing a three-goal loss despite desperate efforts from the Demons. Both Anthony McDonald and Marcus Seecamp scored memorable goals in the game’s dying minutes, but it was too late to drag the match back.
This uncertain form meant that Melbourne was being shuffled in and out of the top eight each week. Fortunately, the Round 16 win over Fremantle helped the red and blue cause immeasurably. Garry Lyon dominated in the second half with four goals, while David Neitz celebrated a triumphant return from early season injury with three goals, and Stephen Tingay took control on the wing, scoring two goals and 20 possessions.
Sadly, the seesaw continued to impact the following week, with an ominous 65-point loss to a rampant North Melbourne. It was a despondent result, with Wayne Carey and Shannon Grant dominating for the Roos. But, while nobody knew it at the time, this would be Melbourne’s last loss for almost two months.
Round 18 was a highlight game, the Brisbane Lions falling victim to a resurgent Melbourne by 95 points. It was moved from Waverley to the MCG, and on the game’s centre stage, the Demons responded accordingly. Jeff White played his 50th AFL game, teaming with Jim Stynes to outclass Matthew Clarke, while Jeff Farmer kicked six goals and Garry Lyon kicked five, taking him to second place on Melbourne’s all-time goals table. The remaining eleven goals were divided between nine players, including Tingay. He was best on ground, defeating four opponents and kicking a towering goal from fifty metres out early in the first quarter.
Back at the MCG again the next week, Round 19 was a delight for the Demons, up against the Blues. Farmer and Lyon dominated the goals again, kicking three and five respectively, but even they were surpassed, by Schwarz. He kicked a bag of six, five of which were scored during the third quarter. Matthew Collins made his debut for Melbourne in this match, and Carlton coach David Parkin forecast - with good reason - that if the Demons made the finals, they could cause chaos.
If it were possible, Round 20 was even better than the victory at Carlton - not least because the win was scored deep in enemy territory, against Port Adelaide at Football Park. It was Steven Febey’s 200th, and early on, the signs were not good. Opposition inaccuracy kept Melbourne in the game, and at half time, a blast from Neale Daniher flicked the switch. In the second half, Melbourne’s 11.5 to Port’s 6.1 helped to deliver a 23 point win. Schwarz kicked four goals before limping off, injured, while Darren Kowal and Todd Viney kicked three each, in what was another step on the road to a finals berth.
Up against Sydney in Round 21, Melbourne’s fourth win in a row cemented a finals berth, in what was the first night game for the team in 1998, and the first Monday match of the season. The goals were shared around in a frenetic contest, which saw Sydney get to within 19 points early in the final term. Farmer scored four, while Neitz kicked three, and Lyon, Woewodin and A.McDonald two apiece. The ground invasion that marked Tony Lockett’s 100th goal for the season - despite being held well by Shanahan - was the only note of celebration for the opposition.
So, heading into Round 22, it was nearly finals time, and the last match of the home and away season - an MCG encounter with Richmond - was marked by a cavalcade of Club legends to commemorate Melbourne’s 140th birthday. It was also a milestone for Tingay, playing his 150th game for the Demons. With Farmer taking one of the marks of the year, Melbourne overran the hapless Tigers by 76 points, ruling them out of the finals. When the siren sounded, Melbourne was fourth on the ladder, and ready for September.
