David Neitz embraces Neale Daniher at Telstra Dome

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DAVID Neitz started 2003 with his reputation further enhanced as a Coleman Medallist and Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy winner, after arguably his finest AFL season.

That status continued to rise when he booted another 65 goals and finished third in Melbourne's best and fairest. Unfortunately the 'odd' years struck again and the Demons placed 14^th – the club's worst finish since its wooden spoon in 1997.

"I try to forget as much as possible 2001 and 2003 – our down period in the 'odds and evens' years," Neitz said.

In 2004, Neitz bagged 69 goals – including an equal career-best nine goals against Richmond in round two – which gave him 216 goals in three seasons.

But his thirst for further finals success was dealt a blow that year when he suffered a leg fracture and was forced to miss the elimination final against Essendon.

Unfortunately for the Melbourne skipper he was also sidelined with a knee injury in the club’s elimination final loss to Geelong in 2005. Hamstring and facial injuries also hindered his season, which returned 39 goals from 18 matches.

"I didn't play in the 2004 or 2005 finals series because of injury. We came up against Essendon in '05 and went down by less than a kick and we lost to Geelong in '06, which was disappointing," Neitz said.

But Neitz entered his major record-breaking period for Melbourne in 2005.

That year he reached his 250^th AFL match, kicked his 500^th career goal and became Melbourne's most capped skipper.

In 2006, Neitz broke two more massive milestones for the club.

He became the club's games record holder after eclipsing Robert Flower's 272 matches and finished with 602 goals to race past Norm Smith's record of 546 majors.

Neitz also topped Melbourne's goalkicking (68 goals) for the seventh time – also a club record.

This Friday night, Neitz becomes the first Melbourne player to reach 300 AFL matches – another incredible achievement from the club great.

With so many accolades, where does this latest milestone sit in the overall list of achievements?

"I'm not 100 per cent sure where they all sit for me at the moment. I know where I want to sit in the history of the Melbourne Football Club, which is a huge thing, but it's almost a bit unbelievable to think where you've come from," Neitz said.

"To think you'd be sitting above Robbie Flower as the games record holder and games as captain ahead of Robbie Flower and Garry Lyon – it's unbelievable, although it doesn't necessarily mean that I'm any more special than anyone else."

Despite this upcoming accomplishment, 2007 has been Neitz's toughest season.

Knee, finger and hamstring problems have plagued him. The club has also experienced a shocking run with injury. On top of this, his coach of almost 10 full seasons, Neale Daniher, stepped down after round 13.

"It's been a big year and probably the most emotionally draining year I've been involved in at the club. A lot has been happening and that started with the expectation of the team, as we were expected to attack the finals," Neitz said.

"Neale going half-way through the year has been a really strange feeling after having that constant voice around for 10 years and then all of a sudden it's gone.

"You wonder where we're heading, and as captain, you take on those responsibilities, but you also have your own concerns about the club – particularly having been around it for so long.

"I've been enjoying the last few weeks and getting towards the 300-game milestone."

Neitz's relationship to Daniher was a unique bond between player and coach. It was best summed up when the duo left the playing surface at Telstra Dome with their arms around each other, after narrowly falling to Essendon.

"I've known Neale as a young man until now and the influence he's had on me towards how I play, how I view footy and as a person has been great.

“As a person, his resilience, dedication and passion towards the game – you can't help but pick up on those qualities from him. I've also tried to instill those skills into myself," Neitz said.

Mark 'Bomber' Riley, who stepped up to fill the void left by Daniher, has also struck a chord with Neitz.

"Bomber Riley has come in at a really tough time. Neale is a really good mate of his, but I've just been so impressed with the way Bomber has been able to grab hold of it and do things his own way," Neitz said.

"He's brought his own unique character to the footy team and it's been a really, really tough position for him to be in, but hopefully for the last few weeks we keep performing for him."

The club is now in the process of interviewing for the Melbourne coaching position next year. So what are Neitz's thoughts about Melbourne's prospective coach for 2008 and beyond?  

"It's a little bit hard to know [who I want as coach] without sitting down and spending much time with anyone. You hear the names, but I don't want be involved in the process in any official capacity," Neitz said.

"I don't have a preference at this point in time – you can't have a preference when you don't know a lot about them [the candidates] – but all I know is that what you hear on the grapevine isn't always right."

And as for next year, is Neitz keen to continue playing on in his 16^th senior AFL season?

"My aim is to play next year. I'm keen to go around again, although it is a year-by-year proposition at the moment, so at this stage I'm keen to play," Neitz said.

"But we're getting a new coach in, so I'll probably sit down with the new coach first and see where the direction is and where we're heading, but definitely my intention is play on next year and fulfill a role for the team."