Life Membership | Eight Demons earn honour

EIGHT Demons have been recognised at the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy, receiving life membership for their service to the red and blue.

Current AFL players Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Jake Melksham, together with past greats Robert McKenzie, Geoff McGivern, Peter Marquis and Noel Clarke, alongside long-serving administrator David Chippindall, were all honoured at the club’s night of nights on Tuesday.

Melbourne President Brad Green was on hand to present the living recipients and descendants with their accolades, alongside David Neitz.

Among those honoured, Petracca, Oliver and Melksham were recognised for 10 years of service, with the Dees’ No.5’s having been held since 2024.

Petracca, who celebrated his 200th game this season, was recruited by Melbourne with the second selection in the 2014 AFL Draft, making his debut in the early rounds of 2016.

The 29-year-old has since tallied 212 games and 202 goals, and has four All-Australian blazers, two Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy awards, a premiership medallion and a Norm Smith Medal to his name.

Selected with pick No.4 in the 2015 AFL Draft, Oliver pulled on the red and blue guernsey for this first time in Round 1 of the 2016 season. He featured another 12 times in his debut year before cementing his spot in Melbourne’s midfield mix.

Few can compete with the 28-year-old’s resume – a premiership medallion, two AFLCA Champion Player of the Year awards, three All-Australian team selections, and four Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy awards.

Melksham, who last year took home at Ron Barassi Jnr Memorial Trophy for his leadership, became a Demon during the 2015 Trade Period, joining from Essendon.

The classy forward made his club debut in Round 1 of the 2017 season and has since accumulated 134 matches and 164 goals for the Dees, adding to his total of 248 and 221 respectively.

For Chippindall, the recognition comes after an outstanding 18 years of service to the Demons.

Currently Melbourne’s Chief Operating Officer, Chippindall began his journey in 2008, working part-time in the AFL football department as an opposition analyst.

He moved into the administration side of the business in 2010 and has since held various executive roles, where he has ensured financial security of the club, been an integral part of AFL list management and overseen the investment of $20 million into the club’s facilities.

Chippindall’s strong leadership and ability to influence have had a significant impact across all areas of operations, and most recently as the club’s interim CEO.

The night also honoured four of the club’s historical premiership players in McKenzie, McGivern, Marquis and Clarke.

McKenzie, who made his debut in 1948, kicked 39 goals across 19 matches in his first season, and was part of the victorious grand final replay team that same year.

After missing the 1954 grand final due to suspension, he secured his spot in the latter stages of the 1955 season, becoming a two-time premiership player with the win over Collingwood; it was to be his last game as a Demon. He finished with 125 games and 254 goals to his name.

Having made his debut in Round 1, 1950, teammate McGivern played 105 games in the red and blue.

Despite starting his career as a full-forward, he later switched to defence, where his efforts were recognised with a club best and fairest award in 1952. He featured in Melbourne’s 1955 premiership win but missed the following year’s final due to injury, which forced his retirement.

Debuting a year later than McGivern, Clarke played 13 matches and kicked 25 goals in his first season – a campaign that included just one win for the team.

His impressive skills up forward saw him kick six goals in the 1954 Semi Final – he was the third highest goalkicker in the VFL that year – and three majors in the premiership-winning team of 1955.

Three-time premiership defender Marquis, who was commonly known as ‘Trunky’, made his senior debut in 1953 and went on to feature in Melbourne’s 1955, 1956 and 1957 success.

Playing a total of 99 games across six seasons, Marquis wore the No.3 on his back up until his last game in 1958, and was later recognised as one of the club’s 150 Heroes.

The latest recipients join Melbourne’s esteemed list of players, directors, staff and volunteers, who have all had significant impact on the club and its history.

Melbourne Football Club Life Membership – 2025 recipients

Robert McKenzie, No. 2

1948 – 1955 | 125 games, 254 goals

Premiership – 1948, 1955

Geoff McGivern, No. 17

1950 – 1956 | 105 games, 53 goals

Premiership – 1955

Peter Marquis, No. 3

1953 – 1958 | 99 games, 7 goals

Premierships – 1955, 1956, 1957

Noel Clarke, No. 26

1951 – 1955 | 77 games, 155 goals

Premierships – 1955

David Chippindall

2008 – present

Years of service – 18

Christian Petracca, No. 5

2015 – present | 212 games, 202 goals

Premiership – 2021 | Years of service – 10 (held since 2024)

Clayton Oliver, No. 13

2016 – present | 205 games, 58 goals

Premiership – 2021 | Years of service – 10

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