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Updated: 30/09/2009

Melbourne Demons
Melbourne was formed in May 1859 at a meeting at the Parade Hotel (now called the MCG Hotel) to help keep the local cricketers fit with the help of Tom Wills and HCA Harrison. They were the first football team in Australia and one of the first in the world. They were initially the most successful team and were called the "Invincibles".

They were a foundation member of the VFA being runners up on four occasions but never winning the premiership.

They were a foundation member of the VFL in 1897 winning their first VFL premiership in 1900. Success was a long time coming again with them not winning again till 1926. Their first truly great era was during the second world war with them winning flag in 1939,1940 and 1941.

They won another flag in 1948 but their golden era was in fifties and sixties when under the coaching of Norm Smith they won premierships in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964.

They were runners up in 1988 but have not won a flag in the last 33 years.

Melbourne were initially nicknamed the "Invincibles" or "Metropolitans" or "All-Whites". In the late 1860's their colours became red and blue. Until 1933 they were referred to as the "Redlegs" or the "Fuchsias". This was changed to the "Demons" to give a fiercer image.

In 1982 a cover was issued showing the Club's logo.

Melbourne played its initial games on various grounds and did not start using the MCG until 1879 as it was feared that football would damage the ground for cricket.

1996 Melbourne AFL Centenary Cover

The AFL Centenary Cover below shows the Melbourne Peel and Stick Stamps with the Melbourne Permanent Pictorial Postmark (PMP 641) which was introduced on the 23rd April 1996. It was also used on a AFL Centenary cover of Jack Meuller.

The Demons chose Robbie Flower on the cover of their stamp Booklet and Garry Lyon on their Postcard and maximum card.

On the 7th March 2000 the inaugural meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Two Melbourne players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the millennium issue. They were Stuart Spencer  and Percy Beams. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

The 25th May 2000 marked  the release of club and individual 2000 Personalised Stamps.

At a spectacular night at the Crown Palladium on the 24th June 2000 the Melbourne Football Club announced their Team of the Century.

Season 2000 proved to be most successful season since 1988, with them making the grand Final. Unfortunately they struck a red hot Essendon and lost by 60 points. They had more success with Shane Woewodin winning the 2000 Brownlow Medal.

On the 28th March 2001  the second annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Two Melbourne players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the globe and map issue. They were Ron Barassi and Brian Dixon. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by Havilah Enterprises.

After the highs of the last season the start of the 2001 season was poor with the Demons looking unlikely to make the finals. The 2001 Personalised Stamps were released on the 30th March 2001.

On the 27th March 2002 the third annual  meeting of the "Premiership Players Club" was held at the MCG to help raise funds for charity. Two Melbourne players were included in the 20 players pictured on the A4 sheet of 20 P stamps of the sand, sea and sky overlaid by the Southern Cross issue. They were John Beckwith and Ron Baggott. The stamps were also displayed on a set of 20 first day covers by First Class Collectables.

The 2002 Personalised stamps were released on the 15th May.

2002 saw the Demons improving with them fighting for a position in the eight. At the end of the season they finished sixth and won their qualifying final against North but then lost the semifinal to the crows.

The Annual Premiership Players Club P stamp Sheet of 20 players was released on the 26th March 2003. The Melbourne players featured were Len Dockett and Ray Wartman. In April  the 2003 Personalised Stamps were released. The Demon's Jim Stynes, was inducted into the AFL Hall Of Fame. 2003 was a low point for Melbourne with their failure to make the eight.

2004 started with the entrenched in the eight. In mid April the 2004 Personalised Stamps were released. This year they were a booklet of 20 stamps showing 10 players, rather than the A4 sheet. Bluey Adams and George Bickford  were included in the 20 players of the "Premiership Players Club". Jeff White made the All Australian Team. Jarred Rivers was declared the National Rising Star for new talent in the AFL. 

On the 1st April 2005 the Melbourne Demons booklet of the 2005 Personalised Stamps was released. The 2005 Hall of Fame inductees were named on the 7th June 2005. They included Stuart Spencer  First Class Collectables issued covers  to commemorate the Best and Fairest winner including Travis Johnstone

On the 20th March 2006 the Melbourne Demons booklet of the 2006 Personalised Stamps was released. David Neitz  reached550 Goals for Melbourne on 19th May 2006. Round 16 was the Heritage Round with clubs wearing jumpers from a previous era. Onlycovers released a cover for each club including the Melbourne FC.

In 2007 the Demons finished 14th on the ladder with Australia Post issuing the 2007 Personalised Stamps. 2008 and 2009 were even less successful with them finishing on the bottom of the ladder. Australia Post changed from the Prestige Booklet to the Folder format issuing the 2008 Personalised Stamps and 2009 Personalised Stamps.