2008 Melbourne Football Club season
The 2008 Melbourne Football Club season was the club's 109th year in the VFL/AFL.
| 2008 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Colin Sylvia during the 2008 season | |||
| President | Paul Gardiner (6th season) (to 9 June) Jim Stynes (from 12 June) | ||
| Coach | Dean Bailey (1st season) | ||
| Captain(s) | David Neitz (9th season) (rounds 1–5) James McDonald (1st season) (rounds 6–22) Cameron Bruce (1st season) (rounds 6–22) | ||
| Home ground | MCG (100,018 capacity) | ||
| Pre-season | First round | ||
| AFL season | 16th | ||
| Finals series | DNQ | ||
| Best and fairest | Cameron Bruce | ||
| Leading goalkicker | Brad Miller (26 goals) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 59,548 (round 11 vs. Collingwood) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 11,437 (round 13 vs. Sydney) | ||
| Average home attendance | 30,777 | ||
| Club membership | 29,619 ( 1,542 / 5.49%) | ||
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In conjunction with the AFL celebrating 150 years since the sport of Australian rules football was first created, the Melbourne Football Club also celebrated its 150th anniversary since its foundation in 1858. This included the celebration of their "150 Heroes", which commemorated the 150 greatest contributing players to ever play for Melbourne. Despite the celebrations, the Demons were tarnished by major on and off field disasters that led to the resignation of Paul Gardiner as chairman of the club and installation of Jim Stynes midway through the season. During August, Jim Stynes attempted to eliminate Melbourne of its major debt with a program called "Debt Demolition".
Melbourne hosted 10 of its 11 games at the MCG, which included its first "home game" against the Brisbane Lions outside of the Gabba since 2000. They also played a home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital Canberra against the Sydney Swans during Round 13. Dean Bailey coached his first year as senior coach at Melbourne. David Neitz captained his ninth year for the Demons, however after aggravating a disc in his neck during the Round 5 clash against Carlton, he announced his retirement on 19 May. For the remainder of the year, the captaincy was shared between Cameron Bruce and James McDonald.
Melbourne's horrid year on-field form caused them to win only three matches and ensured they received their 11th wooden spoon.