# 2009 Melbourne Football Club season

The 2009 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 110th year in the VFL/AFL since it began in 1897.
Melbourne hosted 10 of its 11 home games at the MCG. For the third year in a row, they played their remaining home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital, Canberra, against the Sydney Swans during Round 17. Dean Bailey coached his second year as senior coach at Melbourne. After taking the captaincy from David Neitz in round 6 the year before with Cameron Bruce, James McDonald was made full-time captain for the season.
On 2 August, Melbourne president Jim Stynes announced he was diagnosed with cancer and would be stepping aside from his duties until the conclusion of the 2009 AFL season. Don McLardy took over as acting president for that period of time.
Melbourne continued their Debt Demolition campaign in the month of August raising $567,132 and cutting their debt to $1.5 million. Melbourne also had a yearly profit of $587,183.
Melbourne only won four matches for the year, receiving their 12th wooden spoon. Melbourne came under scrutiny in the later rounds of the season (most notably in round 18 against Richmond) for "tanking", i.e. losing games in order to receive a priority draft pick; but, after extensive investigations in 2012 and 2013, the AFL found the club not guilty of these allegations. Because the Demons won four games or fewer for the second year in a row, the club received a priority pick at the start of the 2009 National Draft.

## 2009 list changes
### Retirements and delistings

| Player | New club | League | Reason |
| David Neitz | Unknown | Unknown | Retired |
| Ben Holland | Unknown | Unknown | Retired |
| Isaac Weetra | Port Adelaide Magpies | SANFL | Delisted |
| Jace Bode | Norwood | SANFL | Delisted |
| Adem Yze | Box Hill Hawks | VFL | Delisted |
| Jeff White | Redland | QAFL | Delisted |
| Chris Johnson | Carlton | AFL | Delisted |

### National draft

| Round | Overall pick | Player | Position | Team from | League from |
| 1 | 1 | Jack Watts | Forward | Sandringham Dragons | TAC Cup |
| Priority | 17 | Sam Blease | Midfield | Eastern Ranges | TAC Cup |
| 2 | 19 | James Strauss | Forward | Oakleigh Chargers | TAC Cup |
| 3 | 35 | Jamie Bennell | Utility | Swan Districts | WAFL |
| 4 | 51 | Neville Jetta | Defender | Swan Districts | WAFL |
| 5 | 64 | Rohan Bail | Defender | Mount Gravatt | QAFL |

### Pre-season draft

| Round | Overall pick | Player | State | Position | Team from | League from |
| 1 | 1 | Liam Jurrah | | Forward | Yuendemu Nightcliff | CAFL NTFL |

### Rookie draft

| Round | Overall pick | Player | Position | Team from | League from |
| 1 | 1 | Jordie McKenzie | Midfield | Geelong Falcons | TAC Cup |
| 2 | 17 | Rhys Healey | Forward/Midfield | Bendigo Pioneers | TAC Cup |
| 3 | 33 | Daniel Hughes | Forward | Melbourne | AFL |

## 2009 season
### Pre-season
#### NAB Cup and NAB Challenge
##### Week 1

| | Round 1 | Round 1 | Round 1 | | |
| Saturday, 21 February (4:10 pm) | Hawthorn | def. | Melbourne | York Park (crowd: 8,122) | Report |
| | 0.4.0 (24) 0.5.1 (31) 0.5.2 (32) 0.11.3 (69) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.4.5 (29) 0.5.6 (36) 1.8.8 (65) 1.8.9 (66) | Television broadcast: None | Television broadcast: None |

#### Practice Matches
##### Week 2

| | Week 2 | Week 2 | Week 2 | | |
| Saturday, 28 February (1:00 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Sydney | Visy Park (crowd: 3,000 est.) | Report |
| | 8.7 (55) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 9.9 (63) | Television broadcast: None | Television broadcast: None |

##### Week 3

| | Week 3 | Week 3 | Week 3 | | |
| Friday, 6 March (7.30 pm) | Brisbane Lions | def. by | Melbourne | Cazaly's Stadium (crowd: 4,000 est.) | Report |
| | 4.12 (36) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 11.7 (73) | Television broadcast: None | Television broadcast: None |

##### Week 4

| | Week 4 | Week 4 | Week 4 | | |
| Saturday, 14 March (2.00 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Western Bulldogs | Casey Fields (crowd: 2,500 est.) | Report |
| | 10.3 (63) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 14.17 (101) | Television broadcast: None | Television broadcast: None |

### Home and away season
#### Round 1

| | Round 1 | Round 1 | Round 1 | | |
| Sunday, 29 March (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | North Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 28,707) | Report |
| | 3.3 (21) 6.5 (41) 9.6 (60) 10.7 (67) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.3 (21) 7.6 (48) 11.8 (74) 15.11 (101) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Green 2, Petterd 2, Bate, Davey, Jetta, Johnson, Moloney, Morton | Green 2, Petterd 2, Bate, Davey, Jetta, Johnson, Moloney, Morton | Goals | McIntosh 3, Campbell 2, Petrie 2, Thomas 2, Firrito, Hale, Harding, Harvey, McMahon, Simpson | McIntosh 3, Campbell 2, Petrie 2, Thomas 2, Firrito, Hale, Harding, Harvey, McMahon, Simpson |
| Debut(s): Jamie Bennell, Kyle Cheney, Neville Jetta, Jake Spencer Milestone(s): Neville Jetta (1st AFL Goal) Brownlow Votes: Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne) 3 votes, Leigh Harding (North Melbourne) 2 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 1 vote Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws (66.34%) Ladder Position: 13th ||||||

#### Round 2

| | Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 2 | | |
| Saturday, 4 April (2:10 pm) | Collingwood | def. | Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 43,169) | Report |
| | 3.1 (19) 8.3 (51) 14.7 (91) 17.15 (117) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 5.2 (32) 7.2 (44) 9.4 (58) 10.4 (64) | Television broadcast: Network Ten | Television broadcast: Network Ten |
| Anthony 4, Didak 3, Cloke 2, Lockyer 2, Brown, Davis, Fraser, Beams, Medhurst, Swan | Anthony 4, Didak 3, Cloke 2, Lockyer 2, Brown, Davis, Fraser, Beams, Medhurst, Swan | Goals | Green 3, Bruce, Johnson, Bate, McLean, Miller, Morton, Petterd | Green 3, Bruce, Johnson, Bate, McLean, Miller, Morton, Petterd |
| Milestone(s): Matthew Bate (50th AFL Game) Brownlow Votes: Josh Fraser (Collingwood) 3 votes, Alan Didak (Collingwood) 2 votes, Aaron Davey (Melbourne) 1 vote Record: 0 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws (60.1%) Ladder Position: 15th ||||||

#### Round 3

| | Round 3 | Round 3 | Round 3 | | |
| Sunday, 11 April (12:40 pm) | Port Adelaide | def. | Melbourne | AAMI Stadium (crowd: 21,030) | Report |
| | 3.3 (21) 10.5 (65) 16.12 (108) 22. 15 (147) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.1 (13) 4.4 (28) 7.5 (47) 14.6 (90) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Debut(s): John Meesen Milestone(s): Aaron Davey (100th AFL Game) Jamie Bennell (1st AFL Goal) Brownlow Votes: Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide) 3 votes, Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) 2 votes, Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) 1 vote Record: 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws (60.5%) Ladder Position: 15th ||||||

#### Round 4

| | Round 4 | Round 4 | Round 4 | | |
| Sunday, 19 April (2:10 pm) | Richmond | def. by | Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 40,765) | Report |
| | 2.3 (15) 5.6 (36) 9.7 (61) 13.14 (92) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.6 (18) 10.7 (67) 13.11 (89) 14.16 (100) | Television broadcast: Seven Network | Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| Brownlow Votes:Matthew Richardson (Richmond) 3 votes, Aaron Davey (Melbourne) 2 votes, Brock McLean (Melbourne) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 3 Losses, 0 Draws(70.2%) Ladder Position: 14th ||||||

#### Round 5

| | Round 5 | Round 5 | Round 5 | | |
| Sunday, 26 April (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Adelaide | MCG (crowd: 14,129) | Report |
| | 0.1 (1) 0.3 (3) 1.6 (12) 4.10 (34) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.4 (16) 4.6 (30) 5.7 (37) 7.9 (51) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Brownlow Votes: Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) 3 votes, Ben Rutten (Adelaide) 2 votes, Bernie Vince (Adelaide) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 4 Losses, 0 Draws (69.9%) Ladder Position: 15th ||||||

#### Round 6

| | Round 6 | Round 6 | Round 6 | | |
| Sunday, 3 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Geelong | MCG (crowd: 36,932) | Report |
| | 2.4 (16) 2.6 (30) 6.7 (43) 10.8 (68) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.3 (21) 9.8 (62) 12.17 (89) 15.21 (111) | Television broadcast: Seven Network | Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| Milestone(s): Clint Bartram (50th AFL Game) Brownlow Votes: Paul Chapman (Geelong) 3 votes, Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) 2 votes, Steve Johnson (Geelong) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 5 Losses, 0 Draws (68.3%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 7

| | Round 7 | Round 7 | Round 7 | | |
| Sunday, 10 May (4:40 pm) | West Coast | def. | Melbourne | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 35,209) | Report |
| | 2.4 (16) 7.7 (49) 11.12 (78) 12.18 (90) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.1 (7) 7.3 (45) 10.3 (63) 13.4 (82) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Milestone(s): Paul Johnson (50th AFL Game) Brownlow Votes: Mark LeCras (West Coast) 3 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 2 votes, Adam Selwood (West Coast) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 6 Losses, 0 Draws(71.2%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 8

| | Round 8 | Round 8 | Round 8 | | |
| Saturday, 16 May (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Western Bulldogs | MCG (crowd: 28,279) | Report |
| | 5.2 (32) 10.3 (63) 11.4 (70) 15.7 (97) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.3 (21) 9.6 (60) 12.10 (82) 15.14 (104) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Brownlow Votes: Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) 3 votes, Paul Johnson (Melbourne) 2 votes, Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 7 Losses, 0 Draws (74.0%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 9

| | Round 9 | Round 9 | Round 9 | | |
| Sunday, 24 May (4:40 pm) | Hawthorn | def. | Melbourne | MCG (crowd: 39,395) | Report |
| | 6.2 (38) 11.7 (73) 16.9 (105) 17.12 (114) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.5 (17) 4.6 (30) 8.10 (58) 13.14 (92) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Milestone(s): Stefan Martin (1st AFL Goal) Brownlow Votes: Colin Sylvia (Melbourne) 3 votes, Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) 2 votes, Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 8 Losses, 0 Draws (74.9%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 10

| | Round 10 | Round 10 | Round 10 | | |
| Saturday, 30 May (7:10 pm) | St Kilda | def. | Melbourne | Carrara Stadium (crowd: 9,112) | Report |
| | 5.3 (33) 7.8 (50) 10.11 (71) 11.17 (83) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 4.5 (29) 6.6 (42) 6.6 (42) 6.20 (46) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Milestone(s): James Frawley (1st AFL Goal) Brownlow Votes: Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) 3 votes, Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) 2 votes, Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 9 Losses, 0 Draws (73.3%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 11

| | Round 11 | Round 11 | Round 11 | | |
| Monday, 8 June (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Collingwood | MCG (crowd: 61,287) | Report |
| | 0.4 (4) 5.6 (36) 6.9 (45) 8.12 (60) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 7.4 (46) 10.7 (67) 16.11 (107) 19.12 (126) | Television broadcast: Network Ten | Television broadcast: Network Ten |
| Debut(s): Jack Watts Brownlow Votes: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 3 votes, Colin Sylvia (Melbourne) 2 votes, Brad Dick (Collingwood) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 10 Losses, 0 Draws (70.4%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 12

| | Round 12 | Round 12 | Round 12 | | |
| Friday, 19 June (7:40 pm) | Essendon | def. | Melbourne | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 42,087) | Report |
| | 6.3 (39) 10.7 (67) 17.13 (115) 19.17 (131) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.2 (20) 8.3 (51) 9.3 (57) 13.5 (83) | Television broadcast: Seven Network | Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| Debut(s): Liam Jurrah Brownlow Votes: Jobe Watson (Essendon) 3 votes, Scott Lucas (Essendon) 2 votes, Adam McPhee (Essendon) 1 vote Record:1 Win, 11 Losses, 0 Draws (69.7%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 13

| | Round 13 | Round 13 | Round 13 | | |
| Saturday, 27 June (7:10 pm) | Brisbane Lions | def. | Melbourne | Gabba (crowd: 23,750) | Report |
| | 3.4 (22) 9.7 (61) 13.13 (91) 16.15 (111) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.0 (12) 2.2 (14) 2.5 (17) 8.8 (56) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Brownlow Votes: Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) 3 votes, Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) 2 votes, Luke Power (Brisbane Lions) 1 vote Record: 1 Win, 12 Losses, 0 Draws (68.1%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 14

| | Round 14 | Round 14 | Round 14 | | |
| Saturday, 4 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. | West Coast | MCG (crowd: 23,149) | Report |
| | 6.1 (37) 11.2 (68) 16.6 (102) 17.10 (112) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 4.6 (30) 7.8 (50) 11.12 (78) 13.14 (92) | Television broadcast: Network Ten | Television broadcast: Network Ten |
| Brownlow Votes: Jack Grimes (Melbourne) 3 votes, Brent Moloney (Melbourne) 2 votes, Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 1 vote Record: 2 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws (71.5%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 15

| | Round 15 | Round 15 | Round 15 | | |
| Sunday, 12 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. | Port Adelaide | MCG (crowd: 15,888) | Report |
| | 4.2 (26) 9.6 (60) 13.9 (87) 15.11 (101) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.3 (21) 7.6 (48) 10.8 (68) 13.12 (90) | Television broadcast: Seven Network | Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| Brownlow Votes: Brent Moloney (Melbourne) 3 votes, Domenic Cassisi (Port Adelaide) 2 votes, Toby Thurstans (Port Adelaide) 1 vote Record: 3 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws (73.8%) Ladder Position: 15th ||||||

#### Round 16

| | Round 16 | Round 16 | Round 16 | | |
| Saturday, 18 July (2:10 pm) | Geelong | def. | Melbourne | Skilled Stadium (crowd: 21,160) | Report |
| | 7.4 (46) 9.9 (63) 14.13 (97) 17.15 (117) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 0.2 (2) 3.2 (20) 7.3 (45) 11.5 (71) | Television broadcast: Network Ten | Television broadcast: Network Ten |
| Brownlow Votes: Matthew Scarlett (Geelong) 3 votes, Paul Chapman (Geelong) 2 votes, Gary Ablett (Geelong) 1 vote Record: 3 Wins, 13 Losses, 0 Draws (72.9%) Ladder Position: 15th ||||||

#### Round 17

| | Round 17 | Round 17 | Round 17 | | |
| Sunday, 26 July (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Sydney | Manuka Oval (crowd: 7,311) | Report |
| | 1.2 (8) 2.6 (18) 4.11 (35) 6.14 (50) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.4 (22) 6.6 (42) 7.6 (48) 10.8 (68) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Debut(s): Jordie McKenzie Brownlow Votes: Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney) 3 votes, Rhyce Shaw (Sydney) 2 votes, Darren Jolly (Sydney) 1 vote Record: 3 Wins, 14 Losses, 0 Draws (73.0%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 18

| | Round 18 | Round 18 | Round 18 | | |
| Sunday, 2 August (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | Richmond | MCG (crowd: 37,438) | Report |
| | 2.0 (12) 4.3 (27) 8.7 (55) 12.10 (82) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 1.5 (11) 4.8 (32) 7.10 (52) 12.14 (86) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Brownlow Votes: Ben Cousins (Richmond) 3 votes, James McDonald (Melbourne) 2 votes, Brett Deledio (Richmond) 1 vote Record: 3 Wins, 15 Losses, 0 Draws (74.0%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 19

| | Round 19 | Round 19 | Round 19 | | |
| Sunday, 9 August (1:10 pm) | North Melbourne | def. | Melbourne | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 16,594) | Report |
| | 4.1 (25) 7.5 (47) 14.8 (92) 19.9 (123) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.3 (21) 3.7 (25) 7.10 (52) 8.13 (61) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Debut(s): Rohan Bail, Tom McNamara Milestone(s): Lynden Dunn (50th AFL Game) Brownlow Votes: Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) 3 votes, Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) 2 votes, Drew Petrie (North Melbourne) 1 vote Record: 3 Wins, 16 Losses, 0 Draws (72.5%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 20

| | Round 20 | Round 20 | Round 20 | | |
| Sunday, 16 August (1:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. | Fremantle | MCG (crowd: 13,004) | Report |
| | 4.0 (24) 9.4 (58) 13.5 (83) 20.7 (127) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 3.4 (22) 4.7 (31) 6.9 (45) 9.10 (64) | Television broadcast: Foxtel | Television broadcast: Foxtel |
| Milestone(s): Tom McNamara(1st AFL Goal) Brownlow Votes: Aaron Davey (Melbourne) 3 votes, Matthew Bate (Melbourne) 2 votes, Shane Valenti (Melbourne) 1 vote Record: 4 Wins, 16 Losses, 0 Draws (76.5%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 21

| | Round 21 | Round 21 | Round 21 | | |
| Saturday, 22 August (2:10 pm) | Carlton | def. | Melbourne | Etihad Stadium (crowd: 37,433) | Report |
| | 6.3 (39) 12.5 (77) 18.9 (117) 24.9 (153) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 4.2 (26) 8.3 (51) 12.4 (76) 15.6 (96) | Television broadcast: Network Ten | Television broadcast: Network Ten |
| Brownlow Votes: Chris Judd (Carlton) 3 votes, Brendan Fevola (Carlton) 2 votes, Marc Murphy (Carlton) 1 vote Record: 4 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws (75.5%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

#### Round 22

| | Round 22 | Round 22 | Round 22 | | |
| Sunday, 30 August (2:10 pm) | Melbourne | def. by | St Kilda | MCG (crowd: 36,748) | Report |
| | 4.2 (26) 6.5 941) 8.6 (54) 10.7 (67) | Q1 Q2 Q3 Final | 2.2 (14) 7.5 (47) 10.10 (70) 19.12 (114) | Television broadcast: Seven Network | Television broadcast: Seven Network |
| Brownlow Votes: Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) 3 votes, Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) 2 votes, Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) 1 vote Record: 4 Wins, 18 Losses, 0 Draws (74.7%) Ladder Position: 16th ||||||

## Notable matches
### NAB Cup and NAB Challenge

Week 1: Melbourne looked to be on the verge of causing an upset over the 2008 Premiers, Hawthorn, leading 1.8.8 (65) to 0.5.2 (32) at three-quarter time. However, the Hawks made a successful comeback, keeping the 2008 wooden spooners goal-less in the final quarter as Jarryd Roughead snatched the lead back for Hawthorn with a mark and a goal 30 seconds from full-time.

### Home and away season

Round 4: Melbourne registered their first win of the season defeating a winless Richmond by 8 points. Despite holding a 31-point lead at half time, the Demons held off a fast finishing Tigers outfit in the final quarter to secure their first win against a Victorian team since round 22, 2007. It was also Melbourne's first win as the "away" side since round 14, 2007.
Round 10: Melbourne put up a brave first half effort against an undefeated St Kilda, trailing by only 8 points at the main break. However, the Saints kept Melbourne goalless in the second half to finish out comfortable winners by 27 points.
Round 11: In the Queen's Birthday clash, the 2008 number 1 draft pick Jack Watts made his debut against Collingwood. He received a harsh welcoming to the AFL when he came off from the interchange bench for the first time in the game: Watts was immediately crunched by the larger bodies of three Collingwood players while the ball came his direction, as Melbourne suffered its biggest loss for the season (66 points).
Round 12: Liam Jurrah (the first AFL player from a remote tribal community) made his AFL debut, against Essendon. He kicked his first goal with a marking attempt that turned into a falling crumb in the goal-square. This goal was nominated for Goal of the Year. Melbourne were out-classed by the Bombers, losing easily by 48 points.
Round 14: On 2 July, in an emotional press conference, Melbourne president Jim Stynes announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and had to step down as president for the rest of the season. Melbourne played its most emotional game of the year against West Coast and recorded its highest first quarter score of the season. Despite a late charge by the Eagles in the final quarter, Melbourne resisted the attack and won the game by 20 points. After the match, the players headed into the dressing rooms holding up Stynes' infamous number 37 guernsey, which he wore during the 1987 Preliminary Final against Hawthorn. Jack Grimes received the NAB Rising Star nomination for round 14.
Round 15: Melbourne won consecutive games for the first time since round 11, 2007 when it downed Port Adelaide by 11 points, after holding a 30-point lead midway through the third quarter. Liam Jurrah received the NAB Rising Star nomination for Round 15.
Round 18: In a match that was criticised for tanking strategies, Jordan McMahon took a mark in Richmond's forward 50 and goaled after the final siren to give the Tigers a 4-point win. During the game Melbourne coach Dean Bailey placed several players in unusual positions. These included placing ruckman Paul Johnson and midfielder James McDonald in the backline; playing forward Brad Miller in the ruck; placing defenders James Frawley and Matthew Warnock in the forward line, as well as leaving Russell Robertson and Colin Sylvia out of the game for Michael Newton and rookie Jake Spencer.
Round 20: In front of a crowd of only 13,004, Melbourne inflicted its only thrashing of the season against fellow cellar dwellers Fremantle after a blowout in the second quarter to win by 63 points. They would record its first 60-point victory since round 8, 2006 as well as the first time they scored 20 or more goals in a game since round 22, 2007.
Round 22: Veterans Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley and Matthew Whelan played their last ever AFL match, against ladder leaders St Kilda. Melbourne put on another strong first half performance, trailing by only a goal at half time, which included a backwards goal from Liam Jurrah at the start of the quarter. However, St Kilda ran over the top of Melbourne in the second half, winning comfortably by 47 points to secure the minor premiership. Melbourne, on the other hand, received the wooden spoon and ensured that their priority pick would be safe. They had the first and second picks in the 2009 AFL draft.

## Ladder

2009 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | St Kilda | 22 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 2197 | 1411 | 155.7 | 80 | Finals series |
| 2 | Geelong (P) | 22 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 2312 | 1815 | 127.4 | 72 | Finals series |
| 3 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2378 | 1940 | 122.6 | 60 | Finals series |
| 4 | Collingwood | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2174 | 1778 | 122.3 | 60 | Finals series |
| 5 | Adelaide | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2104 | 1789 | 117.6 | 56 | Finals series |
| 6 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2017 | 1890 | 106.7 | 54 | Finals series |
| 7 | Carlton | 22 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2270 | 2055 | 110.5 | 52 | Finals series |
| 8 | Essendon | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 2080 | 2127 | 97.8 | 42 | Finals series |
| 9 | Hawthorn | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 1962 | 2120 | 92.5 | 36 | |
| 10 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 1990 | 2244 | 88.7 | 36 | |
| 11 | West Coast | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 1893 | 2029 | 93.3 | 32 | |
| 12 | Sydney | 22 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 1888 | 2027 | 93.1 | 32 | |
| 13 | North Melbourne | 22 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 1680 | 2015 | 83.4 | 30 | |
| 14 | Fremantle | 22 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 1747 | 2259 | 77.3 | 24 | |
| 15 | Richmond | 22 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 1774 | 2388 | 74.3 | 22 | |
| 16 | Melbourne | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1706 | 2285 | 74.7 | 16 | |

### Ladder breakdown by opposition

| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drew | Premiership points | Points for | Points against | Percentage (%) |
| Fremantle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 127 | 64 | 198.44 |
| West Coast | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 194 | 182 | 106.59 |
| Richmond | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 182 | 178 | 102.25 |
| Western Bulldogs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 97 | 104 | 93.27 |
| Hawthorn | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 114 | 80.70 |
| Port Adelaide | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 191 | 237 | 80.59 |
| Sydney | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 68 | 73.53 |
| Adelaide | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 51 | 66.67 |
| Essendon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 131 | 63.36 |
| Carlton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 153 | 62.75 |
| Geelong | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 139 | 228 | 60.96 |
| St Kilda | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 113 | 197 | 57.36 |
| North Melbourne | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 224 | 57.14 |
| Collingwood | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 243 | 51.03 |
| Brisbane Lions | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 111 | 50.45 |
| Total | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 16 | 1706 | 2285 | 74.66 |

## Brownlow Medal
### Brownlow Medal tally

| Player | 1 vote games | 2 vote games | 3 vote games | Total votes |
| Aaron Davey | 1 | 1 | 1 | (6) |
| Colin Sylvia | 0 | 1 | 1 | (5) |
| Brent Moloney | 0 | 1 | 1 | (5) |
| Nathan Jones | 2 | 1 | 0 | (4) |
| Jack Grimes | 0 | 0 | 1 | (3) |
| James McDonald | 0 | 1 | 0 | (2) |
| Paul Johnson | 0 | 1 | 0 | (2) |
| Matthew Bate | 0 | 1 | 0 | (2) |
| Brock McLean | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
| Shane Valenti | 1 | 0 | 0 | (1) |
| Total | 5 | 7 | 4 | (31) |

## Awards
### Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal tally (top 10)

| Position | Player | Votes |
| 1st | Aaron Davey | (82) |
| 2nd | Brent Moloney | (69) |
| 3rd | Cameron Bruce | (56) |
| 4th | Matthew Bate | (47) |
| 5th | Nathan Jones | (44) |
| 5th | Colin Sylvia | (44) |
| 5th | Matthew Warnock | (44) |
| 8th | James Frawley | (43) |
| 10th | James McDonald | (42) |
| 10th | Cale Morton | (42) |
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy – Aaron Davey
Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (Second in the Best and Fairest) – Brent Moloney
Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (Third in the Best and Fairest) – Cameron Bruce
Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy (Fourth in the Best and Fairest) – Matthew Bate
Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy (Fifth in the Best and Fairest) – Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia, Matthew Warnock
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player) – Liam Jurrah
Troy Broadbridge Trophy (highest polling MFC player in the Casey Best and Fairest) – Shane Valenti
Ron Barassi Leadership Award – Brent Moloney
Ian Ridley Club Ambassador Award – Shane Valenti
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (Coach's Award) – James Frawley
Leading Goalkicker Award – Russell Robertson (29)