–2019– FIXTURE

RD DATE OPPONENT VENUE H/A LOCAL TIME TV

1 Saturday March 23 Port MCG H 1.45pm Foxtel

2 Saturday March 30 Cats GMHBA A 7.25pm Seven

3 Friday April 5 Essendon MCG H 7.50pm Seven

4 Thursday April 11 SCG A 7.20pm Seven

5 Saturday April 20 St Kilda MCG H 4.35pm Foxtel

6 Wednesday April 24 Richmond MCG A 7.35pm Seven

7 Saturday May 4 Hawthorn MCG H 1.45pm Foxtel

8 Saturday May 11 Metricon Stadium A 4.35pm Foxtel

9 Friday May 17 Optus Stadium A 6.10pm Seven

10 Sunday May 26 GWS Giants MCG H 1.10pm Foxtel

11 Saturday June 1 Adelaide Crows TIO Stadium H 7.10pm Seven

12 Monday June 10 Collingwood MCG A 3.20pm Seven

13 Bye

14 Saturday June 22 Fremantle MCG H 1.45pm Foxtel

15 Sunday June 30 A 3.20pm Seven

16 Sunday July 7 Carlton MCG A 1.10pm Foxtel

17 Sunday July 14 Marvel Stadium A 3.20pm Seven

18 Sunday July 21 West Coast Eagles TIO Traeger Park H 2.50pm Seven

19 Saturday July 27 St Kilda Marvel Stadium A 7.25pm Seven

20 Saturday August 3 Richmond MCG H 7.25pm Seven

21 Saturday August 10 Collingwood MCG H 1.45pm Foxtel

22 Friday August 16 Sydney Swans MCG H 7.50pm Seven

23 TBC North Blundstone Arena A TBC TBC MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

IT IS AN INCREDIBLY EXCITING TIME TO BE A PART OF THE

As I enter my first AFL season as CEO of the Melbourne Football Club, I’m incredibly excited about what 2019 could bring both on and off the field. During the finals series last year we got a glimpse of how passionate our supporters are and we want to see the red and blue faithful turn the MCG into a fortress this season. Our players thrive off the energy our fans provide, and I have full confidence that with this support, we can achieve something special as a group in the near future. Already in 2019, the Club’s membership numbers are continuing to grow which is a sign that people want to be a part of what we are creating.

3 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 We have the goal to push past 50,000 This contract is a sign of the solidarity at members, adding the support of new fans Melbourne and the positive direction we and unsigned MCC members who bleed are moving in as a group. red and blue, to ultimately reach 60,000 members by seasons end. Simon shares a vision for sustained success and has the support of not only Our supporters are the foundation of the the players and football department, but Club and we want to involve them as the entire Club. much as we can as we look to take the next step this season. This move says a lot about our program and the direction we are heading in, and The players have had a really strong the Board truly believes the current culture off-season and will carry some serious will take us to where we want to be. momentum into the start of the year, so we’re hoping the fans are just as ready to We are heavily invested in the people get 2019 underway. at the Melbourne Football Club and we are excited by what season 2019 and the Continuing the positive news for the future holds. Melbourne Football Club, the Board has just made the decision to extend senior coach ’s contract until the end of the 2022 season – a significant Gary Pert milestone for the Club. Chief Executive Officer

4 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 –2019– PLAYER PROFILES Simon Goodwin provides an update on all 46 Melbourne–listed players

2 7 NATHAN JONES CO-CAPTAIN CO-CAPTAIN Jonesy is really excited to be leading the It’s been a really positive summer for boys again this year. I think everyone Vines. We think he has gotten past his foot knows how strong his passion is for the troubles and he’s as fit as he has been for club and he really inspires the group. a number of years. He showed during the He’s had some issues with his back over finals last year how important he is to this the summer, but he’s got past those and group as a leader on-field, so it’ll be a huge is more than ready to go. boost to have him fit in 2019.

DOB: 20/01/88 DOB: 13/04/94 Height: 180cm Height: 178cm Weight: 87kg Weight: 84kg Games: 264 Games: 98

5 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 1

I’ve been really impressed with Steven DOB: 10/01/92 since he joined the club. He’s a real leader around the group and a great Height: 193cm person to have on our side. His training Weight: 102kg standards continue to improve and he’s someone I expect to have a real Games: 123 impact in defence this season.

3

We’re rapt that Christian’s just signed DOB: 15/07/95 an extension with the club. He’s a talented player and a really good Height: 183cm person, so he will play a major role off Weight: 81kg half-back this season and for years to come. He’s got a lot of class and Games: 70 versatility so I’m excited to see what 2019 holds for him.

4

Harmesy has taken a lot of confidence DOB: 05/10/95 out of his finish to 2018 and has had a great summer on the track. He’s Height: 185cm continuing to grow as a player and Weight: 86kg is always adding to his game. He’s a great character to have around the Games: 69 group and I expect him to have a really good season in the midfield.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 6 5

Christian has done everything right DOB: 04/01/96 over the pre-season to get his body set for 2019 and I think he could take Height: 186cm his game to the next level this year. Weight: 96kg I don’t think anyone questions his talent, so we’ll continue to work with Games: 63 him and get the best out of him.

6

Jordan is a tremendous leader for DOB: 24/04/86 this group. He’s handed over the vice- captaincy this season, but he’s still a Height: 186cm real asset for the group and is like an on- Weight: 86kg field coach to a degree. We still expect Jordan to play an important role in the Games: 307 side, but more importantly he is helping some of the younger boys develop.

8

Jake’s commitment to his ACL recovery DOB: 05/03/96 has been exceptional. He had a minor hiccup prior to Christmas but he’s Height: 195cm travelling really well and should be a Weight: 92kg huge addition for us in the back-half of the year. Jake also just travelled to Games: 67 America to fast track his rehab and I think that has done wonders for his confidence.

7 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 9

Charlie had an impressive debut DOB: 25/11/99 season playing 18 games and we expect him to continue to improve Height: 173cm this year. He’s had a good summer and Weight: 71kg he’s eager to learn, so he’s an exciting one to watch up forward. Games: 18

10

Gus is really flying at the moment. DOB: 09/01/96 He had a massive year last year and continues to go from strength to Height: 187cm strength. His running has become a Weight: 87kg weapon of his game and he should develop into a crucial midfielder for Games: 58 us this season.

11 LEADERSHIP GROUP

It’s hard not to be impressed by Max. DOB: 30/12/91 He’s hardly missed a session over the pre-season and he’s an elite Height: 208cm athlete for a man of his size. He’s Weight: 109kg really enjoyed working with Preussy at training and there’s no doubt he’s Games: 99 ready for another big year.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 8 12 TOBY BEDFORD

Toby was an academy player for the DOB: 27/05/00 club and he’s settled in really well at Melbourne during his first summer. Height: 178cm He’ll take time to fully develop his Weight: 69kg craft but he’s a great runner and an exciting pressure player. Games: -

13

Clayton obviously had a slower start DOB: 22/07/97 to the pre-season with his double shoulder operation, but he has done Height: 187cm everything right to be primed for the Weight: 83kg start of the year. He didn’t miss a beat in the JLT games and he’s only Games: 60 going to improve this season, which is going to be exciting to see.

14

Hibbo has been one of the standouts DOB: 03/01/90 this summer. He’s hardly missed a session and his output has been Height: 186cm incredibly consistent. I think he’s ready Weight: 93kg for a big year so hopefully his work during the pre-season is reflected in Games: 123 his performances this year.

9 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 15

As usual, Billy has driven really high DOB: 08/09/96 standards on the track for us. He’s overcome that toe injury which Height: 180cm sidelined him for the back-half of Weight: 78kg last year and he’s ready to go. Billy’s biggest weapon is his running and Games: 38 ability to get to contests, so he plays a really good role on that wing. 16 KADE KOLODJASHNIJ

Kade has been a great addition to DOB: 09/08/95 the group. He’s a powerful runner and has a strong skillset that I think will Height: 190cm be beneficial for us throughout the Weight: 85kg season. He’s had a couple of minor setbacks but he’s back on track so I’m Games: 78 excited to see him play.

17

Frosty has had another strong pre- DOB: 28/08/93 season. He played an important role for us at the backend of last Height: 194cm year and he adds plenty of speed Weight: 95kg in defence which is an asset for us. He’s a versatile player Games: 69 and someone who’s extremely valuable for us to have on our side.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 10 18

It’s been a bit of an interrupted build DOB: 29/08/91 up for him, but he’s the ultimate professional and is more than ready Height: 186cm to go. I think Jake has become an elite Weight: 83kg player in the competition and he’s an incredibly important player for us in Games: 156 the forward half.

19 MITCH HANNAN

Mitch had a setback with his knee just DOB: 09/03/94 before Maroochydore so he’s still a little while off playing. We’ve just got to be Height: 189cm patient with that one, but he showed Weight: 87kg last year what he brings to the table so we’re keen to see him back at his best. Games: 35

20 COREY MAYNARD

Corey missed a fair portion of last year so DOB: 07/10/91 it’s good to see him finally up and running again. He’s a really hard-at-it midfielder Height: 185cm who has come a long way in his time at Weight: 89kg the club. He’ll keep working hard and putting his hand up, no doubt. Games: 2

11 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 21

I’ve been really impressed with Preussy DOB: 16/06/95 since he joined the club – he’s just so eager to learn. It’s really clear that he’s Height: 206cm come here to improve as a player and Weight: 114kg learn off Max, so he’s been working very closely with him. He provides us with Games: 8 another tall option which is important heading into the season. 22 AARON VANDENBERG

Aaron’s another who’s had his share DOB: 03/03/92 of trouble with injury, in particular that foot. It’s probably something he’ll Height: 188cm have to monitor at times, so we’ll keep Weight: 90kg working on that. I love his attack on the contest and I’m really hoping he can Games: 35 get some continuity into his game.

23

James is the youngest member of DOB: 20/12/00 the group but he’s a good character and seems to be really enjoying his Height: 186cm time here. He’s a versatile type who’s Weight: 79kg training with the defensive group at the moment and is working really Games: - hard at his game.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 12 24

Obviously it was really disappointing DOB: 21/03/95 for Jay to go down with that knee, but he’s a good kid so he’ll come back Height: 173cm from that. It’ll keep him sidelined for Weight: 75kg a while, but fortunately it wasn’t the ACL, so he’ll get a chance to get back Games: 34 out there.

25 TOM MCDONALD

Tom’s travelling well. He’s probably had DOB: 18/09/92 as strong a pre-season as he’s had for a number of years, so I’m expecting Height: 194cm him to be in great shape at the start of Weight: 100kg the year. He’s one of our most senior forwards now, so he’s enjoying leading Games: 146 that group, but also continuing to learn the position.

26

He obviously had a big finish to the DOB: 26/06/97 year which was really good for his confidence. He’s beginning to really Height: 195cm believe in his ability, and I think he’s Weight: 97kg ready to take the next step with his game again this year. There’s a bit Games: 20 of external pressure on him, but he’s still a young player so he’ll need time.

13 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 27 AARON NIETSCHKE

The ACL was incredibly disappointing DOB: 26/05/00 for Aaron. He’s a kid who hasn’t had to deal with many injuries in his short Height: 184cm career, so this was a pretty tough one Weight: 82kg for him. But he’s got the full support of the group and he’s only young so this Games: - can be a good learning year for him.

28 OSCAR MCDONALD

Oscar’s had a good finish to the DOB: 18/03/96 pre-season and I think this is going to be a positive year for him. He had Height: 196cm to do a lot of work on his own in Weight: 100kg defence last year, but I think he will really benefit from working with Games: 62 Steven May, on and off the field.

29

It was a bit of an interrupted season DOB: 03/04/95 for Jayden last year, with a few things keeping him out of the side. But he’s Height: 187cm been really solid on the track all summer Weight: 83kg and he’s added some tricks to his game. Obviously his pace is a weapon and we Games: 47 gave him a run up forward in JLT2, so he’s a versatile option for us.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 14 30 ALEX NEAL-BULLEN

Alex is always one of the most reliable DOB: 09/01/96 trainers and this pre-season has been no exception. He’s an elite runner Height: 182cm and he’s developed into a really Weight: 80kg strong leader – he’s extremely highly respected among the group. He plays Games: 59 an important role in our side so we expect another big year from Alex. 31

Bayley has been a real standout over DOB: 06/12/96 the off-season. We all know last year didn’t end how he would’ve liked, but Height: 188cm he was incredibly mature about it Weight: 81kg and has put an enormous amount of work into his game. He’s been training Games: 23 with the midfield group, so we’ll look to use him on a wing this season.

32

For a young kid, Tom has settled into DOB: 31/05/00 the program very smoothly. He’s got a big body for his age and he’s working Height: 183cm extremely hard behind closed doors Weight: 82kg to push for selection. Tom is certainly someone who could be ready to play Games: - at some stage this season.

15 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 33

Oskar did a pretty bad hammy in the DOB: 25/05/98 VFL last year which took him a while to get over, but he’s back in full Height: 184cm training now. He’s in just his second Weight: 84kg year so he’s still developing as a player, but he’s got genuine speed Games: - and some really good attributes.

34

Marty was obviously a more mature aged DOB: 05/03/96 recruit and he’s had no problems adapting to AFL standards. He comes from a strong Height: 190cm background at Collingwood’s VFL and he Weight: 84kg has done everything right at the club so far. He could play a valuable role for us at Games: - half-back this season.

35

He’s another one who is still extremely DOB: 12/11/99 young but continues to impress with his eagerness to learn. Harry played Height: 197cm a game for us last year which was a Weight: 89kg great experience for him and he’s only going to get better. He’s looking bigger Games: 1 and stronger and is developing into an impressive young key defender.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 16 36

Jeff’s work-rate this summer has DOB: 03/08/89 been outstanding. He has been in at the club doing extra’s and is really Height: 180cm desperate to earn a spot in the side. Weight: 72kg Unfortunately he’s had that shoulder setback, but he’ll have a lot to offer Games: 178 when he’s back fit.

37 ROOKIE

Kade’s only a little fella but he’s DOB: 13/01/00 extremely passionate and energetic and has a lot to offer. I think he’s looking Height: 174cm pretty comfortable in this environment Weight: 75kg and I was impressed with his hit-out in the VFL practice match. He knows Games: - where he needs to improve and he’s working really hard at those areas.

38 TIM SMITH ROOKIE

Tim is a real workhorse for us and gives DOB: 20/02/91 us a lot of flexibility up forward. He can play tall or small and is a really good Height: 192cm defensive player as well. Unfortunately Weight: 91kg he’s had a minor setback with his calf but he’ll be putting his hand up for Games: 6 selection at some point.

17 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 39 LEADERSHIP GROUP

Nev has obviously joined the DOB: 12/02/90 leadership group this season which is a testament to his character. He is Height: 180cm highly respected by all players and Weight: 82kg staff and I think he’s going to thrive in that position. He’s been a great player Games: 141 and person for this club for a long time and he will continue to deliver for us. 40 COREY WAGNER ROOKIE

Corey thoroughly earned his spot on DOB: 23/03/97 our list after his year at Casey last year. He’s incredibly hungry to be an AFL Height: 181cm player and that has been evident in his Weight: 75kg efforts over the summer. Corey is an elite runner, he’s really clean by foot Games: 8 and his tackling is really strong – so we’re happy with how he’s tracking.

41 ROOKIE

It’s incredibly exciting to give Jay an DOB: 03/02/96 opportunity to play AFL footy. He’s sacrificed a lot to put his name up for Height: 177cm selection and we couldn’t overlook Weight: 75kg his season at Casey last year. He’s obviously starting late in the program, Games: - but his background with Casey will really help him settle in quickly.

SEASON GUIDE 2019 | 18 42

Josh has had a really strong pre- DOB: 24/06/94 season as well. He didn’t play as much senior footy as he would’ve liked last Height: 189cm year, but his output is always really Weight: 84kg consistent and he’s a reliable player for us off half-back. Games: 28

43 GUY WALKER CATEGORY B ROOKIE

Unfortunately Guy has had a bit of DOB: 12/09/95 a problem with his shoulder and is going to be out for an extended Height: 184cm period of time. He had a bit of a Weight: 76kg knock before Christmas and needs to let that heal, so that’s disappointing Games: - for him, but he can still learn a lot from the boys this season.

44 JOEL SMITH

Obviously Joel has been a defender for DOB: 25/02/96 most of his career, but we’ve switched him forward over the pre-season and Height: 191cm he’s thrived in that role. He’s an athletic Weight: 86kg player and a versatile type, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what he Games: 11 offers for us this year.

19 | SEASON GUIDE 2019 45 DECLAN KEILTY ROOKIE

Declan has been one of the big improvers DOB: 08/05/95 for us this year. He’s had a couple of strong seasons at Casey and he’s Height: 194cm beginning to take his game to the next Weight: 95kg level. He’s another one who can just about play in any position – he’s got really Games: - strong hands and we’ve given him some time in the ruck, so he’s one to watch. 46 AUSTIN BRADTKE CATEGORY B ROOKIE

Austin is still very young and new DOB: 27/05/00 to the sport, but he’s a big boy and an exciting prospect long-term. Height: 204cm Working with Max and Braydon in the Weight: 90kg ruck is going to do wonders for his development and we’re going to keep Games: - building his body up and helping him grow in confidence.

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21 | SEASON GUIDE 2019