Melbournefc.com.au editor Matt Burgan pays tribute to the great Jim Stynes

IN 1986, I was a nine-year-old obsessed with footy and Melbourne. I would turn 10 during cricket season, my other love.

That year was the first time I seriously collected VFL players’ numbers. It was somewhat of a challenge back then to find out which player wore a particular number. That’s where footy records were especially pertinent.

Usually from No. 40 to No. 60 - or beyond - under 19s players would frequent these numbers when playing reserves. In some cases a number, say No.55 for example, would be worn by a few players throughout the year.

I remember when Jim Stynes wore No. 53 for Melbourne in 1986. To be honest, I can’t remember him playing - he was sent packing to Prahran in the VFA for much of that season.

But I remember that name - Jim Stynes.

Little did I know back then the impact that name would have on so many people - yours truly included.

For 35 year olds, like me, who reflect on their childhood, Jimmy Stynes was an idol. For 35 year olds, like me, Jimmy Stynes remains a hero. 

Jim played seniors from 1987-1998. Coincidentally, these were what I now deem my ‘hardcore’ supporter years, before I started my dream job as a football writer in 1999.

I started barracking for Melbourne in 1980 or 1981, after choosing the Demons from a sticker I loved. I thought the red and blue had the best emblem of the then 12 clubs. I narrowed it down to Carlton, Footscray and Melbourne - after my brother showed me four stickers containing three clubs on each. The Demon holding the pitchfork captured my imagination and won me over. I then went to my first game in 1982, and if I hadn’t quite graduated to hardcore in 1986, I definitely was in 1987.

And 1987 was some year for Jim.

He made his debut, played in Melbourne’s first night premiership since 1971 and was a key part of the club’s first finals series in 23 years.

When Jim ran across the mark in the preliminary final, I didn’t fully realise what had happened at the time. I was at the match and I knew Gary Buckenara had received a 15-metre penalty, and I fully comprehended what his goal meant: an upset Demon supporter like many others!

My Dad and Pa, both Hawthorn supporters, felt for their young Dee. I’m not sure if I cried, but I couldn’t believe Melbourne’s dream run had ended.

From 1987-1991, I got to watch Melbourne play finals every year - Hawthorn was the only other team to play off in the finals in all those seasons.

And I got to watch a lot of my favourites play.

After 1987, Robert Flower had retired. Like most around my vintage, he was my first Melbourne childhood hero. But it wasn’t long before the likes of Garry Lyon and Jim Stynes became Melbourne heroes. Cult figures like Allen Jakovich were also in that group.

But Jim was something special. His story was unique. An Irishman recruited to play our great game - what an appealing story.

I remember his 1991 season and that football year more clearly than many I’ve covered as a football writer. Is my memory going? I’m led to believe by more senior people than I that earlier memories can be easier to remember.

I remember going away on a holiday with Mum and Dad along the Murray River in September, 1991. I was so excited about Jimmy winning the Brownlow Medal that Mum brought the small portable telly to plug into the camp site.

I was now a veteran of watching Brownlows, so I wasn’t going to miss this one. You can only imagine how I felt when we couldn’t get reception. I then tried desperately to listen to it on my radio in my tent, but all to no avail.

I eagerly woke up the next morning to get the paper. Instead, I heard on the radio from a nearby campsite that Jim had won.

I was relieved.

Still, I knew Jimmy couldn’t have lost.

He claimed it with 25 votes from West Coast’s Craig Turley, later Jim’s teammate.

In 1992, I remember buying a blockmount picture of Jim outside the MCG. It was after a finals match - either the preliminary final or grand final, as I was fortunate to attend both. Melbourne wasn’t involved in the finals that year, but I remember carrying a blockmount picture of Jim through a heavy post-match MCG crowd and onto the tram.

I loved watching Jim play. I loved him in finals. He was a star in Melbourne’s elimination finals from 1987-1991, and in big games. I loved it that he would always be a regular in State of Origin matches. He played 10 from 1988-1995.

I loved ‘Dublin’s Jim’ - the documentary made after his Brownlow success. I loved his book - ‘Whatever It Takes’. My Mum loved it too, and she had only just converted to loving footy and Melbourne back then. I reckon Jim helped Mum love footy. But that's the sort of man he was.

I loved watching Jim in 1994, playing in what I consider Melbourne’s most talented team during my lifetime.

I loved the fact that he won three consecutive best and fairests in 1995-96-97, complemented by his earlier win in 1991. Selfishly, I loved it also because he won my Melbourne best and fairest in that hattrick of years, under my voting systems.

I loved watching him break Jack Titus’ consecutive game record, and I felt it was a shame when his run ended.

Even in his final year - and as much as I was thrilled Melbourne gained Jeff White - I wanted Jimmy to keep on keeping on. He had started to play second fiddle to White, but still contributed. I couldn’t believe he retired. I thought he had one more season in him. Only he would’ve known that though.

There are some wonderful football stories in the game’s history.

Jimmy Stynes is arguably the greatest football story of all time.

Perhaps, for different reasons, Fitzroy’s Doug Nicholls, who I obviously never saw play, is his greatest challenger. In reality, everyone has their own story, yet Stynes and Nicholls are two of my favourites.

I love Jim’s legacy, first and foremost as a person. The fact he is a football great is a bonus.

During the past decade, I have had the privilege to meet and interview Jim many times. I didn’t know him really well, like others, but he would always have a friendly chat. I was just happy he knew my name! That was enough for me. And I was thrilled that he gave up plenty of his time.

Early on in his battle, I remember bumping into him twice and I asked him nervously about it. Once was near Junction Oval in St Kilda. The other was in the MCG car park. On both occasions Jim opened up. He was honest, straight to the point and offered that warm smile. Two small moments out of his day, these remained with me. He was that type of man.

Last year, I was honoured to spend two hours with Jim. I interviewed him for archival purposes. It was engrossing to listen to his story. It was emotional to hear his recent battle.

I was full of admiration for everything that Jim achieved in his life. He was a truly remarkable man.

I also have the privilege to work with Jim’s beautiful sister, Terri-Ann. Too often it’s easy to forget what it’s been like for her. She is a representative of the Stynes family. It’s hard to imagine what it’s been like to walk in her shoes. But like her big brother, I am full of admiration for her. To have gone through what she and her family have - and with the added focus of being in the public eye - must have been trying.

My sincere condolences are with the Stynes family and his closest friends.

It was interesting reading Neil Balme’s comments on Jim as a player.

He said: “[Jim was] very, very strong minded, quite stubborn in his thinking, which is what made him such a good player because he had a very, very strong belief in himself. From a coaching point of view, it meant you had to work a bit harder if you wanted to change something he did, but essentially that was his real strength - he had a great belief in himself.”

That trait, I’d imagine, gave him a few extra years against the odds.

And from an interview on 3AW last November, Stynes said: “I’ve been able to let go. We're not here to just chase the dollar, because ego just drives most people's lives. It’s about letting go of that ego and seeing where then life will take you, because you’ve got to listen and most people are too busy to listen.”

I love it that Jim was his own man.

I admire individuals who think for themselves. Too often in today’s world, it’s easy to focus on a person’s weaknesses. And too often it’s easy to be a sheep and follow the norm. But what happens if too much energy is expended on correcting the weaknesses? Then what becomes of the strengths?

Jim played to his strengths - always. Character, competitiveness, resilience are traits today’s coaches and recruiters look for in players. These traits defined Jim.

He lived life to the fullest. And what a life he achieved.

Jim’s story was the stuff of a boy’s own annual or a Hollywood picture.

Only, his story was real.

And he told and showed it to many. For that we are thankful.

Rest in peace, Jim. You will always be a much-loved hero, inspiration and legend.