Eddy Melai
South Melbourne
AFL career
7 games2 goals
- Debut
- R6 1964 v FSC23 May 1964
- Most recent
- R18 1964 v ESS22 Aug 1964
Stats
Bio
A Dutch-born ruckman who cut his teeth with East Geelong, Eddy Melai initially struggled to break into a strong Geelong senior side, featuring in the Cats' 1963 reserves premiership before seeking greater opportunities at the Lake Oval. He managed seven senior appearances for South Melbourne in 1964, filling a gap in the ruck division, but his time in the VFL was short-lived. Melai's most significant impact on football history occurred the following season when he controversially crossed to Dandenong without a clearance, becoming a test case during the breakdown of transfer agreements between the VFL and VFA. He subsequently forged a legendary career in the association, playing over 200 games, winning two premierships, and earning selection in Dandenong's Team of the Century.
Profile
- Born
- 28 Feb 1941
- Died
- 28 July 2004 (aged 63y 151d)
- Birthplace
- Netherlands
- Height
- 193 cm
- Weight
- 92 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionA Dutch-born ruckman who cut his teeth with East Geelong, Eddy Melai initially struggled to break into a strong Geelong senior side, featuring in the Cats' 1963 reserves premiership before seeking greater opportunities at the Lake Oval. He managed seven senior appearances for South Melbourne in 1964, filling a gap in the ruck division, but his time in the VFL was short-lived. Melai's most significant impact on football history occurred the following season when he controversially crossed to Dandenong without a clearance, becoming a test case during the breakdown of transfer agreements between the VFL and VFA. He subsequently forged a legendary career in the association, playing over 200 games, winning two premierships, and earning selection in Dandenong's Team of the Century.