Skip to main content

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Jack Viney, the son of former captain Todd, has already been earmarked by the Demons for a father/son draft selection in 2012 when he will be eligible for the draft. Todd Viney recently left Adelaide, where he had been serving as an assistant coach, to take up a role as general manager of player development with the Demons. The younger Viney, 16, has been attracting interest from other clubs and the Demons are very pleased to make the commitment to Jack who like his father was recruited by club CEO Cameron Schwab.

Jack (5''8", 171 lbs) is considered one of the best young talents coming through the system. He captained the South Australian team at the Under-16 tournament, helping win their first title and being named MVP. Recruiting manager Barry Prendergast described Jack as a very talented midfielder with clean hands, courage and strong defensive pressure when pushed forward. Coach Dean Bailey said bringing Jack into the Demons now would allow the coaching staff to assist with his training program as well as help him establish himself and make friends with the current players. Jack said it was an easy decision due to his father as well as his uncle Jay (23 games, 1998, 1990-1991) playing for the Demons.

Todd played 233 matches 1987-1999, the tenth most in the Club’s history. He won the best and fairest award in 1993 and 1998, was named to the interchange in the club's team of the century, is in the club's hall of fame and was named as one of Melbourne's 150 heroes in 2008. He also represented South Australia in state of origin games and played in the International Rules series. After he retired, he coached in country Victoria, then had a stint as an assistant at Hawthorn 2004-2008 before returning to his native South Australia as an assistant with the Crows 2009-2010.

A large contingent of Melbourne players and Coach Dean Bailey recently traveled to Darwin to show their support for young forward Austin Wonaeamirri whose father was killed in an auto accident in mid-November. Among those making the trip were Brad Green, Nathan Jones, Aaron Davey, Liam Jurrah and Brent Moloney. Bailey said Austin was very popular around the club and is well liked by his team mates. He described the loss as tragic, not only for the Darwin community but for Melbourne as well, due to Wonaeamirri having been involved with the Tiwi Bombers as well as the Demons. Matthew Wonaeamirri was a former chairman of the Tiwi Land Council and vice-chairman of the Tiwi Bombers. He often traveled to Melbourne to watch his son play.

Also making the trip to show their respect were CEO Cameron Schwab, assistant coach Josh Mahoney and player development manager Ian Flack. Melbourne president Jim Stynes, who often spoke with Wonaeamirri and visited him up north, was unable to make the trip.

Source: heraldsun.com.au, sportsaustralia.com.au

Article last changed on Thursday, December 02, 2010 - 9:20 AM EST


Recent content

Partners

Worldfootynews.com

Our Favorite Footy Podcasts

A Yank on the Footy

 

Donnie's Disposal

 

Americans Watching the Footy

Shorten URLs

*

 

We Recommend:

ENJOY 40% OFF SITEWIDE!

  • The future of vitamins is here! Say goodbye to generic multivitamins cluttering your table top. 
  • With Vitable, you get personalized daily vitamin packs tailored to your unique diet, lifestyle and health needs.
  • All you need to do is complete a simple online quiz and unlock your expert recommendation. 
  • Join the 400,000+ people embracing the Vitable way with 40% OFF your first order
  • Use the promo code AFANA40 at checkout.