IT DOESN’T matter how many games someone plays in the red and blue, once they pull on the guernsey they’re a part of the club’s history forever.
And in the eyes of the fans, in some cases, the less games the better.
Reminisce on the past 20 years with 10 names you may not have thought about for a while.
Troy Simmonds
Troy Simmonds had a very successful 197-game AFL career across three clubs, but the former ruckman would be least known for his time spent at Melbourne.
After being recruited to the Dees in the 1999 Pre-Season Draft, Simmonds played 40 games for his first side, including the 2000 Grand Final where he was stretchered off the field following a hit from Michael Long.
Alistair Nicholson
At 197cm, Alistair Nicholson, known as ‘Big Jack’, developed into a handy key defender for the Demons.
Nicholson debuted in 1997 and represented the club on 110 occasions, before having success off the field becoming the CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association in 2014.
Darren Jolly
This dual premiership ruckman had the dream start to his time at both Sydney (2005) and Collingwood (2010), but unfortunately had no such success with the Demons.
Darren Jolly played 48 of his 237 games for Melbourne after being drafted to the club as a rookie in 2001.
Guy Rigoni
Guy Rigoni was a reliable contributor across his seven-year career with the Dees, pulling on the jumper on 107 occasions.
He was a member of the club’s strong midfield group, playing in eight finals between 1998 and 2005.
Peter Walsh
Peter Walsh is another name that hasn’t been mentioned in a while.
The half-back flanker, who polled 11 Brownlow Medal votes in a breakout 2001 season, represented the club 104 times before finishing his career back home with Port Adelaide.
Phillip Read
After being delisted by the Eagles at the end of the 2003 season, Phillip Read was given a lifeline by Melbourne in the following Pre-Season Draft.
He was a nuggety on-baller who played 34 games for the Dees across three years, bringing his career tally to 108 senior matches.
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson was a father-son selection by the Demons in 2003, after Alan Johnson played 135 games for the club.
The Perth-born defender lasted five years in the red and blue before finishing his AFL career with two seasons at Carlton.
Addam Maric
Small forward Addam Maric was selected with pick No.21 in the 2007 National Draft, but never quite cemented his spot in the senior side.
He played 21 games for the Dees before receiving a chance with Richmond in 2012.
James Strauss
Another top draft pick, James Strauss joined the club in 2008, but only managed the 24 games before being delisted at the end of the 2014 season.
The defender’s career was heavily interrupted by injury, with a broken leg against the Blues proving to be the most gruesome.
Viv Michie
Viv Michie began his career with the Dockers, debuting against Geelong back in 2013.
That was his only appearance for Fremantle before being traded to Melbourne for pick No.54, where he added 21 games to his tally across the next three years.
MORE: Obscure ex-Demons you haven’t thought about for a while
