MELBOURNE Football Club is pleased to honour the contribution and legacy of five of its own at the annual Hall of Fame dinner. 

The Hall of Fame, first established in 2001, was created with the intention of acknowledging past Melbourne players, coaches, and staff members. 

Stay tuned for rolling coverage below. 

Alby Rodda – Hall of Fame Inductee 

A star of Melbourne’s golden era, Rodda was a three-time Premiership player for the club (1939, 1940 and 1948), also taking part in the 1946 and 1948 Grand Finals. 

Rodda played 131 games for Melbourne between 1939 and 1950, alongside his distinguished service in the Royal Australian Air Force during the war. 

For his brilliant on-field performance, Rodda was the recipient of the club’s Best and Fairest Trophy in 1948, and was also awarded the Outstanding Service Trophy in 1947 and 1949. 

After enlisting in the Air Force at the outbreak of the war, Rodda served in the No.7 Transport and Movements Office, playing when he could during the war years. He missed a potential 59 games due to his war service. 

In his final season with Melbourne, Rodda was elevated to Vice-Captain in 1950 recognising his leadership. 

He passed in 2002, having been made a Club Life Member in 1948 during his playing years. 

Rodda’s daughter Jenny accepted the award on her father’s behalf. 

Stephen Tingay – Hall of Fame Inductee 

Affectionately nicknamed 'Stinga', the former Demon was an energetic, quick and creative winger who played 162 games between 1989 and 1999, and instantly made impact having been awarded the Best First Year Player Award in his debut season. 

His career launch looked to be in peril as he suffered a knee injury, however, he made an outstanding debut. Tingay played his first senior game in the opening round against Fitzroy at the MCG, scoring the winning goal with his first kick.  

The winger wore number two, in recognition to his resemblance to the run and dash of former number 2, Robert Flower. 

Although injury hampered the final years of his career, following his retirement he returned in fitness and training roles to the club where he had made his name. 

Tingay was awarded Club Life membership in 1998. 

David Schwarz – Hall of Fame Inductee 

The final inductee into the Hall of Fame is David Schwarz, who played 173 games for Melbourne between 1991 and 2002. 

Known as ‘The Ox’, he won the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Trophy in 1999, and was a member of the 2000 Grand Final team. 

Schwarz was elected as Vice-Captain in 2000, in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the team. 

The powerful forward was first signed as a 15-year-old to the Junior Development Squad, and eventually made his senior debut in 1991. 

Although he struggled with knee injury throughout his career, he was viewed as one of the competition’s foremost defenders. 

Following his playing career, ‘Ox’ has worked as a media commentator and analyst and has remained closely connected to the club through his mentorship. 

Hassa Mann – Club Legend 

Mann is a name familiar to the Demon faithful, as one of the heroes of the club. Already a member of the Hall of Fame, he has been elevated to a Club Legend. 

Mann played 178 games for Melbourne between 1959 and 1968, including three Premierships (1959, 1960 and 1964).  

Mann is in rarefied air as a three-time winner of the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Trophy, in 1962, 1963, and 1967. 

First hailing from Rutherglen, he was recruited with his cousin Len as a teenager. Mann won the best First Year Player award at 18 years old, in his first season, and capped off the year by kicking the winning goal in the 1959 Grand Final against Essendon. 

Mann won consecutive club Best and Fairest awards in 1962 and 1963, while playing 101 consecutive games. 

Following the shock move of Ron Barassi, Mann was named as Melbourne’s captain in 1965, a position he held for four years. 

In 1967 he won his third Best and Fairest award, and toured Europe and America with the ‘Galahs’, an All-Star team that comprised of legends of the day including Ron Barassi, Bob Skilton, and Alex Jesaulenko. 

Mann became a Club Life Member in 1968, and was first honoured in the Hall of Fame in 2001 when it was created. 

Alongside his playing career, Mann has been a lifelong servant of the club. He joined the Melbourne board of directors in 1991, and served as CEO from August 1992 to May 1997. 

In 2000, he was named at the half forward flank in Melbourne's official 'Team of the Century'. Mann was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2013.  

Robert Flower – Club Legend 

One of the club’s most well-known names, Robert Flower has been elevated to a Club Legend in recognition of his status as one of Melbourne’s most cherished sons. 

Playing between 272 games for Melbourne between 1973 and 1987, Flower won the Club Best and Fairest in 1977 and was leading goal scorer in 1979, 1983, and 1987. 

As Captain between 1981 and 1987, he held the club’s game record until it was overtaken by David Neitz in 2006. 

Flower’s service to the club was during a challenging time, and he only played a final in his last season. He was so beloved that the club and members launched a campaign in 1987 centred around him, to enable the veteran to play in a final before his retirement.  

Following his playing career, Flower served on the board between 2002-2003. He was made a Life Member of the AFL in 1999, and was one of the initial intake of inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996. 

He died in 2014 at the age of just 59 after a short journey with illness 

Flower’s brother Tom accepted the award.