Between the Flags by Ian Munro

Nigel Dawe’s Book Review:

It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a footy related book as much as this one. I’m also not sure why it took me so long to get hold of it, seeing as it was released in 2022 – but I’m so glad I did, and I would recommend it to anyone. As we close in on the prospect of another September campaign, you simply have to read it between now and then.

Whether or not you’re a fan of our Melbourne Demons, Ian Munro has written something akin to a complete and utter expose of what has collectively driven and drained, dictated and dominated, sometimes raised, and sometimes ruined, the sport of Australian Rules at both the elite and grassroots level, over many decades.

As a former news editor of the Sunday Age, press secretary to the Victorian Premier, and New York correspondent, with more than 30 years-experience in journalism, not to mention the son of a lifelong Melbourne supporter who saw the 1926 premiership win, in person. Ian’s tenacity, wit, and undying affection for a team that both challenge and make adherents ‘earn’ their loyalty through heartbreak of every kind, shines on every page.

As many would know, leading up to Melbourne’s ultimate triumph in 2021, the side was suffering from the longest running premiership drought in the league, it was 57-years since the Barassi-led Demons had lifted the silverware, and won in 1964.

As such, and as Munro makes clear from the outset: “This book is an attempt to understand what went wrong in those dark years [between flags], and why things happened that way [and also how they eventually meandered towards the Promised Land of rectification].

“Some people measure their lives in the triumphs they witness; it seemed mine was to be counted in records best forgotten… Success is never a reward to those who simply wait long enough, arriving as if willing it to happen is all that is needed. However, the opposite can be true: it is possible to test ever new depths of failure… [But] amid the darkest winters, there is always hope.”

Relatedly, in 2006, the chief sports writer of The Times, Simon Barnes wrote in his book The Meaning of Sport:

“You don’t love anything or anyone for the pain or for the pleasure: you love for the love of loving. And that is an inextricable aspect of the passionate and committed support of a football team.

“I write about what I see and what I understand, the way I see it, the way I understand it. I shall continue to write as if sport were worth the time of an intelligent person. I would see any other option as a failing of courage… There are at least three ways in which you can enjoy a sport: by doing it, by watching it, by writing about it.”

And of this three-part assertion (the last two in the least) could well have been written by Ian Munro, to suffice for the overarching intent behind what he endeavoured to do, and wonderfully did, in Between the Flags. A book which will give football fans a clear reference point, and aspiring sports writers a height to scale, for many years to come.

Copies of Ian Munro’s book: Between the Flags – Making sense of 57 years of heartache, are still available through the independent bookstore Readings, and through the club’s Demon Shop for $40.

“Passion might ignite the flame, but purpose keeps it burning… Where the spirit is willing, you’ll find a thousand ways; where there is no spirit, you’ll find a thousand excuses. Everything that is important in life is connected to someone else… One finger can’t lift a pebble.” – Neale Daniher (When All is Said and Done)

IT’S been a strange couple of days, days spent by and large processing and reflecting upon not just the passing, but the life and legacy, of our larger-than-life former coach, MND campaigner, and now national icon – Neale Daniher.

I remember having once heard the notion: “While we live only once, we in fact die twice; the first time is our actual physical passing, but the second passing is the ‘ultimate’ of passings, because that’s when no one makes any reference to us any longer.” And with regards to the second ‘subtraction’, I think there’s absolutely no chance whatsoever that Neale ‘The Reverend’ Daniher will ever pass on, albeit out of the public’s conscience because of the tireless life of service and selfless commitment that he chose to live.

For most Melbourne supporters, Neale came to our attention as the newly appointed 36-year-old coach of our team in September 1997, a season we finished peerlessly last – that being four full games adrift of the second last placed team ‘above us’ at that time.

Fast forward 12-months, and we had made a Preliminary final (losing gallantly to the previous year’s premier – North, by 30 points). It was the biggest leap up the ladder in the game’s history, one that was predominantly driven by the focus and tunnel-vision ferocity of a coach that didn’t just dare to dream, but lived in such a way that no dream was ever too outlandish, or beyond the realisation of anyone thereby committed to realising such dreams.

While history also records our Melbourne Demons as making the grand final two years later in season 2000, and Neale Daniher as going on to become the third most prolific coach of the club (233 games for 108 wins) behind only Norm Smith, and ‘Checker’ Hughes; it is a headline from earlier this week in the Herald Sun that somehow encapsulates where the Reverend will always reside in the hearts and minds of the Melbourne faithful: “A leader who coached us all.”

And coached us all he did, in so many ways: through his words and actions, but more-so through the sublime, seamless coordination and ‘living out’ of words through action. And if anything, they combined to distinctly disprove his own much-peddled mantra: “When all is said and done, more is said than done.”

I had only one direct ‘unexpected’ dealing with Neale in his time as coach of Melbourne. In 2003, I wrote him a letter of encouragement and support after he was copping serve after serve in the media during one of our ‘trough’ seasons. If you recall, we had a strange performance pattern at that time where we’d make a finals campaign one year, then drop down the ladder the next.

Knowing that Neale appreciated the thoughts of history’s finest minds, I ended my above said letter with a quote by Seneca: “There is an old adage about gladiators, that they plan their fight in the ring.” I couldn’t have imagined that this would so fittingly surmise his future legacy, but he wrote me back some months later with a letter so thoughtfully candid and personal that I’ll treasure it forever.

But when it comes to words, none reflect the connection, inspiration, love and loyalty the Reverend was able to command from people than those of his deputy, and ultimate on-field chess piece – David Neitz. Heartfully, our all-time red and blue games and goals record holder wrote on all our behalf:
“Thank you, Neale!

What a brilliant game you played. Full of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment! You’ve come from an army of Daniher’s, galvanised a nation, and built an even bigger army!! At the heart of that is your own family – along with a few dilapidated old demons who are blessed to have had you in their lives. The siren has sounded too soon… but you gave your all, and it’s time to rest up.

We’re going to miss you coach!”

Sponsoring Matthew in 2026

Matthew Jefferson was one of the standouts in Melbourne’s final intraclub hitout at Casey Fields last Friday.

Matthew dominated early taking a number of big contested marks including an impressive pack mark and kicked two goals. Matthew is delivering on his early season promise and we are proud to be his sponsors.

Thank you to all those who’ve joined the sponsorship to date.  I will be contacting you to see if you are interested and available to attend one of the early season events.

To those who haven’t please consider joining us in sponsoring Matthew in 2026.

JOIN NOW

When you join you will share in exclusive player sponsor benefits including:

• An event with players during the 2026 season – 2 x Invites
• An exclusive club breakfast with Head Coach, GM of Football & members of the playing leadership group – 2 x Invites
• MFC Season Launch – 2 x Invites
• Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy Dinner – 2 x Invites
• President’s match day function – 2 x Invites
• Matthew Jefferson signed Home guernsey
• MFC Guard of Honour at the MCG – Preferential selection for a child in your family
• Mid Season player update from a Club coach – Via email
• Video message from Matthew 
• Exclusive Silver player sponsorship
• Recognition of sponsorship on the Club’s official website – NSW Demons on Jeffo’s profile page

JOIN NOW

** – The NSW Dees pay $3,395 to sponsor Matthew and support the Melbourne Football Club.
** – Each $50 share you buy enables the NSW Dees to continue to sponsor Matthew and support the MFC.

Go Dees
Sally

Nigel Dawe

FOLLOWING a side like Melbourne, or any team in any competition throughout the world for that matter, isn’t or shouldn’t ever be determined by any manic cravings for success.

Don’t get me wrong: winning week in, week out – all the way to that last Saturday in September would be nice, but it’s never going to happen. And even if it did, there’d be a monotony factor to it that’d lead you to a level of personal smugness, that would just result in watching every game all by yourself.

That said, when things turn grim you quite often find yourself close to, if not outright, on your own anyway. Numbers drop off and enthusiasms wane, taking all traces of optimism with it, it’s almost as much a law of nature as Darwin’s fabled views concerning the fittest, and their subsequent survival.

Maybe I didn’t get the quit now it’s all too tough gene, but when things I care about struggle or start to suffer, that’s when I up my ante, disappearing or deserting from the fray are just simply not options that have ever been on my table. Thus, 2025 won’t go down as anywhere near the grandest in our club’s history, but it certainly won’t go down as its worst (finishing 14th or 5th last in the competition).

Seeing Max Gawn – the ruck giant who debuted in round 11 of 2011 that has since taken his number 11 to such stellar heights, collecting his 8th All Australian blazer, was a delight to behold. Already our 2021 premiership captain can be mentioned in the same breath as Warne-Smith, Barassi, Smith, Mueller, Flower and Stynes as being among the greatest to have ever graced the Demons fold.

Sadly, we also saw the departure of Simon Goodwin, after 202 games as head coach, the fourth highest by any individual in the club’s history. Behind only Norm Smith, ‘Checker’ Hughes and Neale Daniher; he will forever reside in the highest echelons of fondness and esteem in the club’s overall history. “Premiership coach” is something that can never be stripped from a person’s grasp, or taken from their list of accomplishments.

Two other figures that deserve eternal praise, and who will depart as 200-gamers and premiership heroes are Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. All the very best gentlemen, thank you for the memories and the sheer delight you gave us during your time in the red and blue.

Congratulations also to our gallant AFLW team who almost did the unthinkable, and beat the rampaging Kangaroos in a preliminary final. Your efforts at the pointiest end of the season did yourselves and the team very proud. Good luck to coach Mick Stinear who leaves the club after being at the helm since 2017, not to mention landing the club its inaugural premiership in 2022.

And so, we now look towards a new era, a new chapter that will introduce the club’s 35th senior coach in Steven King. Aptly, emblazoned deep in the inner sanctum of our change room walls (which I saw after our 20-point win against Richmond back in the ANZAC Day clash this season) next to a giant red and blue heart motif, that read: “We hold the pen”. And that – the players, staff and each of us – still do.

We, to a person, have the privilege of contributing and being a part of the oldest club in the land. As if to herald the significance and weight of such a sentiment, Henry David Thoreau once said, “All questions rely on the present for their solution. Time measures nothing but itself.”

Good bye 2025…And on behalf of everyone at NSW Demons, have a wonderful, safe and secure festive season, and be sure to truly savour the presence and connection that you share with each of your friends and loved ones.

Go Dees!

To live & breathe the Red & Blue…

Nigel Dawe

Last week I took out my 40^th consecutive membership of that team we love, the team of the red and the blue. But there’s a neat symmetry to it all, beyond the four unbroken decades of ‘paid up’ loyalty to a team that transcends religion for me, not to mention perennial meaning, salvation and hope beyond all faith and hope, in something very particular.

I was a 10-year-old boy living in Broken Hill when I scrounged up the money to buy my first ticket aboard the ‘ship’ (then captained by Robbie Flower) that transported me to the pure and un-obscure fantasy land of being a member. I’ll be 50 next year, no less onboard and just as focused and swept along by the fanfare of going for a team, and all that means.

And what ‘all that means’ is something I’ve easily spent more hours reflecting on, than anything else. “Beautifully preoccupied” by the Melbourne Demons is how I’d refer to my last four decades, “distracted to a fault” is perhaps how my family and friends might reference or attempt to unpack it.

But there’s the rub, and that’s what makes the unfeign-able facet or distinctive feature of all true fans: you being the focused adherent first, and the distracted everything else later. There’s a passage from Alice in Wonderland that I’ve always thought quite apt for at least attempting to explain this phenomenon: “A dream is not reality, but who’s to say which is which?” 

I certainly can’t, and it’s something I’ve always been more than happy to admit. Because when it comes to the ‘world’ of the Melbourne Demons, it has been something so all-defining over the years, I’m really not sure where the full sweep of it starts for me, and where it genuinely never ends. One trait I’ve observed in myself though (and those that are right into anything in particular) is that we accumulate, albeit avidly collect developments or experiences, even those that weren’t directly experienced by us.

So instead of a mere 40-years of following the Demons, I’ve in fact simply inherited the 160-plus of them since the club was first founded back in 1858.

That’s why some of my favourite possessions, or ‘art-a-facts’ as I like to call them, are Melbourne related things that will always remain immediate, and dare I say – eternal, for me. They somehow directly link or connect me to the actual living moments when they each pulsed with the expansive vibrancy of something still fresh and new.

As such, I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at my original 1959 premiership-winning front page of the Sun newspaper, that announced: ‘Demon King is Back on Stage’ after we’d lost the previous year’s big dance to Collingwood (and what would’ve been four flags in a row had we have won in ’58).

Back to my actual lived highlights for the past 4-decades of barracking for Melbourne (a team named after a city who was named after a former British PM, whose wife had an affair with Lord Byron, and the one who famously said that the poet was “mad, bad, and dangerous to know”).

Additional to this, I’ve sometimes wondered what if the capital of Victoria had been named after the PMs either side of this bloke, then we’d simply have the Wellesley Demons or the Peel Demons to cheer on; which just doesn’t have the same ring to it. But that’s history I guess, and as the old saying goes, “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.” Anyway, I now digress…

In all honesty, seeing Jim Stynes win that Brownlow medal in 1991 is very hard to beat; and the long-awaited thrill of a premiership in 2021 is certainly not far behind; nor is the Greg Healy-led reserves premiership of 1993 (unusual I know, but most of my mates back then went for your clubs that were always winning flags) so this nice exception gave me a window to throw wide open and let the pure light of a premiership in.

As did the night ‘premiership’ cups of 1987 and 1989; who could forget seeing Robbie (that same club icon who used to sign his autographs with ‘Demons Forever’) hoisted above his beloved team by his teammates that night, out at Waverly in the first of those wins?

Receiving a personally written letter of thanks (for having first written a letter of support to him) from Neale ‘Reverend’ Daniher in the post season of 2003 is top of my personal pops. As is the 9pm phone call I received one night from the club back in mid-2001 saying I’d won our first Hall of Fame writing comp. Though I was initially convinced it was just a mate pulling my leg, and about to blurt a floral: “Bugga off”, before the club representative at the other end of the line assured me that it was ‘for real’, and that my 100 words about Norm ‘weak men don’t win premierships’ Smith had got me the gong.

I’m still not sure why they rang me so late, but that’s what I love about this club, we do our own thing in our own time, for our own unique reasons, and what you’d never expect of us, we sometimes outright charge ahead and do – or just simply don’t.

We are the only club in the world who plays a game that we actually created (to keep players of another game ‘fit during the months of winter’) and for that, we should all be eternally grateful, and ever-looking forward to the red and blue tinged promise of hope that resides at the heart of each and every season to come.