At the Bar with Brian "Nabby" McNabb
INSIDER: About time we got you At the Bar - you've twisted our arm for long enough! How long has it been for you at the Bloods?
NABBY: 33 years - arrived at the club in 1991.
INSIDER: Strange one, but did you have offers to join other clubs as an administrator over the journey?
NABBY: Over the journey yes - I’ll withhold club names out of respect.
INSIDER: How are the Bloods travelling mate?
NABBY: Tracking well this year, promoting within. Year to date – successful.
INSIDER: And more importantly, how are you travelling at the moment - how's your health?
NABBY: In between a pacemaker and prostate cancer life couldn't be better for the last 2 years.
INSIDER: Maccy Park is a love it or hate it venue - given its location and exposure to the elements. Is the ground a bit firmer than you'd like - to the eye, apart from the middle it looks rock hard?
NABBY: We'd like a softer surface sure. It's a grass (type) issue, not a surface issue.
INSIDER: You've been a fan of interleague over the years and placed a huge onus on socialising with other clubs, win or lose, is that club policy or do you just enjoy the social aspect?
NABBY: I enjoy the people you meet on the journey and the thrill of seeing them again years later wherever that may be.
INSIDER: You've done well to hang onto all those talented juniors (1 pointers) and keep them inside the cap. They must be a special bunch of lads who value club first ahead of themselves?
NABBY: They've played all their footy together right up through juniors - their loyalty is very much appreciated by the club.
INSIDER: Is it written in small print they must buy a car from you at Melton Toyota upon signing on?
NABBY: Very much so - #1 condition of all signatures!
INSIDER: Where are you seeing the greatest area of growth at club level?
NABBY: Started with the juniors moving to Maccy Park - keeps us all on the same page with vested interest.
INSIDER: Were you ever any good at footy - what was your version of your biggest day out before we get it confirmed?
NABBY: No glory on it, plenty off it!
INSIDER: In a freakish sense, over the journey which player at the club could do things on-field that others couldn't?
NABBY: Hugh Carey
INSIDER: Who was the highest profile player you almost landed at Melton?
NABBY: David Barnes! The pen ran out of ink, that's why David ended up at Darley.
INSIDER: Strangely, no Premierships in the RDFL and three in the BFNL - is that unders? Have the Bloods left a few out there?
NABBY: For sure. We lost 4/4 Grand Finals in the 1990's!
INSIDER: You look like a nervous watcher of footy and happier when it's all over - how are you on match days?
NABBY: Nervous wreck, no matter who or where we're playing. Come 5pm I’m a happy man!
INSIDER: What is your favorite ground to visit away from MacPhersons Park?
NABBY: Darley Park on and off the ground.
INSIDER: Favorite footy person over the journey outside of the club?
NABBY: Kelvin Dale and Mick Whelan
INSIDER: Invite 5 of your favorite Bloods over the journey to the Dinner table - take your pick..
NABBY: Hugh Carey, Darren Brown, Craig Berger, Jack Walker, Adrian Monitto
INSIDER: If you had to cook for the whole club what would be your signature dish of approval?
NABBY: Sausages, chips and an egg with gravy!
INSIDER: What tv series would you recommend for us this Winter?
NABBY: Foxtel sport - best reality tv show on earth!
INSIDER: Which one of the following most relates to you - Reader, viewer, gamer, commentator, raver?
NABBY: People do say I’m a raver!
INSIDER: Best three players you've seen at the Bloods in your time there?
NABBY: Hugh Carey, Mark Hunter, Danny Del Ray
INSIDER; Best or favorite three players from other clubs over the journey?
NABBY: David Barnes (Darley), Brendan Treblecock (Sunbury), Brett Bewley (Darley)
INSIDER: Any truth in the story you signed former star Melton South junior and Western Bulldog Darren Stanley on a napkin in the late hours at a night club?
NABBY: Yes, 100% true over a Scotch!
INSIDER: Who wins - the Premiership Bloods of 2000, 2001 or 2022?
NABBY: The 2000 team gets the nod
INSIDER: Favorite AFL club and player?
NABBY: Sydney - Luke Parker
INSIDER: Biggest danger to the Bloods this year?
NABBY: Darley on a good day
INSIDER: If you could have three current players from other BFNL clubs join Melton who would you recruit?
NABBY: Brett Bewley (Darley), Matty Johnston (East Point) and Jordy Johnston (East Point)
