28th February 2010 - International Touch Competition

New Zealand 3 Australia 2

To read Gillie's report Click here

To view the photos Click here


24th February 2010 - First Premiership for 2010

Fawkner Park Mens Touch Pool 1 Grand Final

MRUFC Rowzy's 10 defeated MRUFC Unicorns 7.

Another classic Grand Final with MRUFC having both their teams make it through to the grand final and the Rowzy's coming out triumphant over the minor premiers in the grand final.

The first Premiership of what we hope will be a huge 2010.

1st February 2010 - Bill McLarens Funeral

All rugby followers have heard the great voice of Bill McLaren

Our Michael Graham was a pallbearer at Bill's funeral

Michael is the red head in the centre of the photograph


22 January 2010 - Vale: John Samuel Harrison

Harry passed away on 19th January 2010, aged 75, after a long illness. He started playing with the Club in 1964. He thought he was training with Melbourne University and nobody bothered to tell him any different.

He played a total of 426 games , including 68 in 1st Grade. His position was No 8, however, in his later years he graduated to the front row.

He scored a total of 1259 points, made up of
  • 40 tries
  • 243 conversions
  • 211 penalties
  • 1 field goal


He was our statistician from the 1960s to 2005 and he is the reason why we now have statistics on every player who has donned a Melbourne jersey since 1926

Our condolences go out to his sisters Wendy, Robyn & Julie and brother Richard


17th December 2009 - A Brat for the Roys

It is a pity that the headline was not A ROY BOY - maybe next time!

Jim & Jo Roy have announced the birth of the beautiful Emily May Roy born 03:57am on Thurs 17th Dec after a swift 30hours of labour

She weighed in at 8pounds 10 ounces and luckily, looks like her mum.....THANK GOD!!!!!!

She also has more hair than her dad

25th November 2009 - Committee 2010
  • Patron - Jonathon Ramsden
  • President - John Rosenhain
  • Secretary - Michael Gillard
  • Assistant Secretary - Colin Woolhouse
  • Treasurer - Owain Stone
  • Junior Coordinator - To be advised
  • Assistant Treasurer - Paul Boyes
  • Committee Member - Nick Farnan
  • Committee Member - Simon Webster
  • Committee Member - Fraser McMillan

25th November 2009 - John Rosenhain, President

John was a member of the 1973 Colt's premiership team, captained by Ted Baillieu and included past president - Chunky Burge

He played a total of 53 games and scored six tries

John is the managing director of The Building Works







Our president asked your web master to replace the photo on the left with the much younger version above.

We must point out that the photo on the left is a much better likeness and more typical of him in the new millenium

18th September 09 - Trophy Winners 2009

Club Champion - Mitch Canning (J.D STEVENSON CUP)
Clubman - Mike Gillard (K.A.W KENNINGTON CUP)

U8 Green
Best Team Player - Bud Trevillian (Greg & Maria Fergus Award)
Most Improved Player - Nicholas Fergus

U8 Gold
Best Team Player - Hayden Rees (Greg & Maria Fergus Award)
Most Improved Player - Ethan Cockburn

U10 Blue
Best Team Player - Pius Bonjui (CTM Consulting Award)
Most Consistent Player - Hamish McIlroy

U10 Green
Best Team Player - Campbell Jones (CTM Consulting Award)
Most Consistent Player - Stephen Wylie

U12
Best Team Player - Jack Chapple
Best & Fairest - Felix Dunphy
Junior Front Rower of the Year - Matthew Dudgeon
Best Back - Dylan Faamusil

The Tony Kastelan Junior 'clubman' Team 2009 - Under 6

Colts
Most consistent - Dan Corcoran & Lachy Fenton (J.W RAMSDEN CUP)
Most improved - Max Barrows
Best Player - Chris Ling (THE SECRETARY CUP)

3rd Grade
Most Consistent - Drew Dalton (DOUG GEORGE TROPHY)
Best Player - Rob Ivory (ALFRED TILLEY TROPHY)

2nd Grade
Most consistent - Benny Hibell (IAN SHIACH AWARD)
Best Players - Brian Roberts & Charlie Bowler (J.J KING TROPHY)

1st Grade
Most consistent - George Linn (H.H RIGG TROPHY)
Best Player - Tom Lucas (N.B WILSON TROPHY)

Other Awards
Medicare Award - Anthony Meurer (Man of a Thousand injuries) (MEDICARE AWARD)
Tryers Trophy - Haroon Durrani (INFAMOUS TOILET SEAT)
Junior Fratust - Dan Corcoran (FRATUST TROPHY)
Senior Fratust - Graham Scott (FRATUST TROPHY)
Club Rising Star - Chris Ling (FRATUST TROPHY)
Most Improved Club Player - Elliot Bull (A.H GIBBS TROPHY)

12th September 2009 - MELBOURNE FIRST GRADE PREMIERS 2009

First Grade Grand Final: Melbourne 27   Box Hill 17

Tries: James Slattery 2, Ben Jones
Goals: Ben Jones 3
Penalties: Ben Jones 2






MELBOURNE UNDER 12 PREMIERS 2009

Under 12 Grand Final: Melbourne 39   Maroondah 12










Click here to view the photos

20 August 09 - Michael O'Brien-The First Streaker

All rugby followers are aware of the famous photograph taken at Twickenham during the England/France test of 1974.

Mike was the first person to streak at a sporting event and he started a phenomenon that has encircled the western world.

Newer club members may not be aware that Michael is a member of the Melbourne Rugby Club and has been for many years.

Michael was a hooker, who played 207 games from 1978

A new photograph has been unearthed that shows our Michael running on the field, before he was apprehended by the gendarmerie

If you look closely you will see that it was very cold that day.

Click here for more details on the legend that is Michael J O'Brien

5 July 09 - Our Bazza Mouths Off

Click here to read Barry Bowler's thoughts, from the Sydney Sunday Herald, on who should get the next Super 15 franchise

There is also a photograph of somebody, who is definitely not Sir Edward Dunlop

1st July 09 - New Club Additions

The Rowzies who comprise the third grade are usually old and married. Recently three of them have helped in the production of snot machines.



Here we have Tim "Two Bums" Austin with Olivia Jane born on the 25th June and weighing 7 pounds 3 Ounces







Next we have Guy Sawly-Cookson with Harriet Eve
- birthday and weight unknown




And last, but not least, Olly Garside, who managed to put a spout on his.
- here he is with Henry Charles born on the 30th June and also weighing 7 pounds 3 Ounces

13th June 09 - Dylan Faamausili

Dylan played his first game of rugby for our Under 12s and scored three tries

Dylan is the son of Nam Faamausili, a first grade centre at the end of the last millennium

Dylan played in his dad's shorts, which proves that either Dylan is a big boy, or Nam's playing weight was a lot less than he is now; or both.

Dylan is the lad on the right. The fat one on the left is his father, who cannot fit into those shorts anymore.

To view the Under 12 photos and some of Dylan's running ability, click here

16th May 09 - Sabine Lucmort Up-the-Duff Again

We have it on good authority, that Sabine Lucmort will calve again dans Novembre(we do not know what "calve again" is, en Francais)

Our mighty flying frog, Maxime, has sired another sibling snot machine for Paul.

16th May 09 - Emily Stewart-Jack - Administration Manager

You will have noticed Emily around the clubrooms, mainly because she is much better looking than her predecessor.

Emily is our new Administration Manager. She has a masters degree in business administration plus an undergraduate diploma in recreational management.

16th May 09 - Victorian Under 20 Representatives

Congratulations to Ben Stokes, Alex Pappas, Dan Corcoran, and Will Chalmers who have been selected in the Victorian Under 20 side to play NSW Country Under 20s

21st April 09 - Vale John Kingdon

John Kingdon, Melbourne Rugby Club player, manager and coach passed away on 19th April

John was member of our club for over 30 years and was an extremely popular clubman who had coached the second & third grades throughout the late 70's & early 80's.

John was a regular attendee on the sideline at matches throughout each season and has always maintained a regular & enthusiastic interest in our Club.

John had been suffering from Motor Neurone disease for a while, however his health deteriorated rapidly after suffering a bad fall last Friday

We extend our thoughts & prayers to Libby and John's family and friends.

8th April 09 - Gordon Campbell Mk2

Gordon Campbell played for Melbourne from 1979 to 1988. We had two Gordon Campbells - Mk1 was a prop, therefore, Mk2 was relegated to lock

He is currently head coach of the University of South Florida Rugby Club, based in Tampa, Florida (Website)

On the 29th March, they won the USA Rugby South Championship in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

On Saturday, March 28, USF defeated Appalachian State 19-14 in the semi final and on Sunday, March 29, USF defeated the 2008 USA Rugby South champions by 27 to 24, meaning USF are now the 2009 USA Rugby South Champions.

10th March 09 - Junior Coordinator

Our new junior coordinator is Caitlin Hayman. Caitlin can be contacted on 0413118296 or by email

A big thankyou to Katrina Coltman who stepped into the breach last year at the last moment

8th February 09 - Stan Bullock

Ex-President and past player, Stan Bullock, has been in the news in Colac .
To find out more Click Here

18th December 08 - John Dennett

John and Jenny have returned to Australia after living and working in Kuwait and Belfast.
To read their Christmas letter Click Here

9th December 08 - 2009 Committee
  • Patron - Jonathon Ramsden
  • President - Jed Macartney OAM
  • Secretary - Michael "Gilly" Gillard
  • Assistant Secretary - John Rosenhain
  • Treasurer - Owain Stone
  • Assistant Treasurer - Paul Boyes
  • Junior Co-ordinator - Katrina Coltman
  • Social Secretary - Holly Ames
  • Committee Member - Robert "Gabba" Gash
  • Committee Member - Colin Woolhouse
  • Committee Member - Charles Leyland

1st December 08 - 2009 Season

The Pillar Cup is defunct. Under the leadership of Jed Macartney the club presidents made a recommendation to the VRU Click Here

The VRU has decided to revert to the previous format of two divisions. The premier division will have eight teams.

Click here and here for further information

6th November 08 - Vale Ronald Brian Booth

Ronnie Booth played for Melbourne during the 50's & 60's

He also coached 1st Grade during the 70s

6th October 08 - Trophy Winners 2008

Under 18s
Best Forward - Rob Sartain (R.GASH TROPHY)
Best back - David Hardisty (D.WALKER TROPHY)
Clubman - Lindsay Smith (J.MACARTNEY TROPHY)

Colts
Most consistent - Gerdus Buitendag (J.W RAMSDEN CUP)
Most improved - Steven Glagau
Best Player - Charlie Cruickshank (J.S HARRISON CUP)

3rd Grade
Most consistent - Richard Ferguson (DOUG GEORGE TROPHY)
Best Player - Mitch Hardisty (ALFRED TILLEY TROPHY)

2nd Grade
Most consistent - Jeremy Wood (IAN SHIACH AWARD)
Best Player - William Renton (J.J KING TROPHY)

1st Grade
Most consistent - Tim Lindsay (H.H RIGG TROPHY)
Best Player - Tom Lucus (N.B WILSON TROPHY)

Other Awards
Junior Front Rower - Charlie Cruickshank (FRATUST AWARD)
Senior Front Rower - Benjamin Nash (FRATUST AWARD)
Medicare Award - Simon Blair (MEDICARE AWARD)
Tryers Trophy - Scott Morgans INFAMOUS TOILET SEAT
Club Rising Star - Paul McConnochie (FRATUST TROPHY)
Most Improved Club Player - Lewis Wright (A.H GIBBS TROPHY)
Clubperson of the Year - Holly Ames (KENNINGTON CUP)
Club Champion - Simon Webster (J.D STEVENSON CUP)

12 September 08 - The Father Bob Maguire Foundation

The guest speaker at the last president's lunch was Father Bob Maguire

Father Bob was very satisfied with our donation Click here

11 September 08 - The Doctor Lives

Mike Grant, AKA Dr Grunt, is alive and well and home in Malvern.

Members will know that Mike had a problem last Saturday night. He found that his left leg took shorter steps than his right and he started going around in circles. Some unkind people, who no Mike, stated that he was pissed again.

He spent two days in the Alfred and he is now back to normal

30th July 08 - Vale John Stevenson

  Major General John Dennis Stevenson AO CBE passed away on Wednesday     30 July 2008, two weeks short of his 83rd birthday.

  John was a former player, club captain, patron (for 12 years over two terms)   and a life member. He was captain of the 1954 premiership team.


  In the Seventies, the Combines Services Rugby Club was formed. His heart was with Melbourne, however, his subordinates played with Combined Services and he was an executive of that Club. It is due to his management skills, that a strong off field bond developed between Melbourne and Combined Services and when they folded, many of their players came to Melbourne

26th July 08 - Bledisloe Cup

We now know why they were not at the game on Saturday.
Note the broad smile from Barry Bowler, the lad from the North Island. If you watched the end of the last test, you would have seen that same smile in the crowd at Eden Park

13th June 08 - Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop honoured with Wallaby Hall of Fame induction

"Weary" Dunlop has been inducted into the wallaby hall of fame
Click Here

Sir Edward played with the Old Boys Rugby Club, who united with Melbourne in the Thirties

"Weary" designed the club emblem, as a rampant unicorn, ie with appendages in the appropriate area .


12th June 08 - ‘Unicorn' born in captivity

A DEER with a single horn in the centre of its head has been born in an Italian nature reserve, sparking talk of unicorns.

Oh deer, this young buck sports the unicorn look

"This is fantasy becoming reality,'' Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Centre of Natural Sciences in Prato, told The Associated Press. "The unicorn has always been a mythological animal.''

The roe deer was born in captivity in the research centre's park in the Tuscan town of Prato, near Florence, Mr Tozzi said.

The condition is believed to have been caused by a genetic flaw; the deer's twin has two horns.

Mr Tozzi, who had never seen the condition before, said such anomalies may have inspired the myth of the unicorn.

The unicorn, a horse-like creature with magical healing powers, has appeared in legends and stories throughout history.

"This shows that even in past times, there could have been animals with this anomaly,'' he said.

We at the Melbourne Rugby Club do not know what all the fuss is about. Our members have produced half a dozen unicorns over the past 12 months, including a unicorn frog (see below)

7th June 08 - Neishy got Married

That is all we know!
Your webmaster has know idea, who he got married to or whether it was a shotgun or not.

He is condemned. No rugby player worth his salt, should ever get married during the season.
Winter is for playing. Spring and summer is for rooting.

We expect a unicorn snot machine within the next 9 months

Here is some photos of the drunks that aided and abetted this crime.

2nd June 08 - An Aussie Frog is Born

Paul Lucmort has arrived in Australia via his mother Sabine with minimum help from father Maxime

Max was heard to say that it was a pleasure to help out


14th March 08 - Anton's Latest Achievement

Maali May Pilli was born on
10 Oct 07 to Keren and Anton

The other baby in the house
is shown at a Bon Jovi concert

20th February 08 - Rowzy's Touch Premiership Win

The first premiership for 2008 was won last night with the Rowzy's defeating Powerhouse Barbarians in the men's touch at Fawkner Park.

Final score was 7-5 in a close affair with Rob Weaver scoring a hat trick, to get the guys home and "Goalie Rob" giving a memorable celebration after scoring one in the corner also.

The Barbarians were minor premiers but were smacked by the Rowzy's in the 1st semi 16-3 and then stacked the GF squad with PH 1st grade ring-ins, all to no avail as the Rowzy spirit prevailed & the lads came away with another premiership and a heap of hangovers today. Back: Olly, JT, Kaz, T-Train, Browny, Goalie Rob, Weaver & Gibbo
Front: Fiji Lee, Benny, RickyBro, Gilly, FatarseAustin, Rimjoy & Bales
Absent: WobbleFergus & LeprachaunQuinn

10th January 08 - Peter Roberts

Peter is our sports therapist. He is at the games every week and is on the field when you are hurt.
He is the bloke who wipes your nose and the tears from your eyes.

Peter holds a clinic in the clubrooms every Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:30PM during season for the poor lads who are convalescing.

Peter W Roberts BSc(Hons) Sports Therapy
Remedial Massage Therapist
Reiki Treatment Practitioner

80 Dorcas Street
South Melbourne
Victoria
Tel: 0401538713   Email: peter.roberts40@hotmail.co.uk