[2] 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.

They also played a home game at Manuka Oval in the nation's capital Canberra against the Sydney Swans during Round 13.

David Neitz captained his ninth year for the Demons, however after aggravating a disc in his neck during the Round 5 clash against Carlton,[4] he announced his retirement on 19 May.

[6] Melbourne's horrid year on-field form caused them to win only three matches and ensured they received their 11th wooden spoon.

Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)[11] Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Milestone(s): James McDonald (200th AFL game)[12]Brownlow Votes: 1.

Chris Judd (Carlton)[20] Record: 0 Wins, 5 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Brownlow Votes: 1.

Brock McLean (Melbourne)[23] Record: 1 Win, 6 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Debut(s):Shane Valenti Brownlow Votes: 1.

Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood)[32] Record: 1 win, 10 losses, 0 draws Ladder position: 16th Brownlow Votes: 1.

Matthew Richardson (Richmond)[33] Record: 1 Win, 11 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Brownlow Votes: 1.

Brad Green (Melbourne)[36] Record: 2 Wins, 12 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Brownlow Votes: 1.

Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)[37] Record: 2 Wins, 13 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Brownlow Votes: 1.

Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)[38] Record: 2 Wins, 14 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Debut(s): Addam MaricBrownlow Votes: 1.

Paul Wheatley (Melbourne)[47] Record: 3 Wins, 17 Losses, 0 Draws Ladder Position: 16th Brownlow Votes: 1.

The criteria for inclusion was games played (minimum of 100), best-and-fairest awards, premierships, Brownlow Medals, contribution to the club and State representation.

The heroes named were:[2] Jim Abernethy, Frank Adams, Bill Allen, Stan Alves, Syd Anderson, Tony Anderson, Lance Arnold, Ron Baggott, Garry Baker, Harold Ball, Ron Barassi, Percy Beames, John Beckwith, George Bickford, Ray Biffin, Barry Bourke, Harry Brereton, Cameron Bruce, Keith Carroll, Geoff Case, Albert Chadwick, Noel Clarke, Geoff Collins, Jack Collins, Chris Connolly, Bob Corbett, Denis Cordner, Don Cordner, Ted Cordner, Vin Coutie, Harry Coy, Jim Davidson, Frank Davis, Ross Dillon, Carl Ditterich, Brian Dixon, Len Dockett, Adrian Dullard, Hugh Dunbar, Richie Emselle, Fred Fanning, Jeff Farmer, Matthew Febey, Steven Febey, Dick Fenton-Smith, Rowley Fischer, Robert Flower, Laurie Fowler, Maurice Gibb, Peter Giles, Terry Gleeson, Brad Green, Rod Grinter, George Haines, Gary Hardeman, Henry Harrison, Gerard Healy, Greg Healy, Dick Hingston, Paul Hopgood, Danny Hughes, Anthony Ingerson, Eddie Jackson, Alan Johnson, Bob Johnson, Tassie Johnson, Trevor Johnson, Travis Johnstone, Gordon Jones, Les Jones, Bryan Kenneally, Allan La Fontaine, Clyde Laidlaw, Frank Langley, Jack Leith, Andrew Leoncelli, Charlie Lilley, Wally Lock, Harry Long, John Lord, Andy Lovell, Brett Lovett, Glenn Lovett, Garry Lyon, Hassa Mann, George Margitich, Peter Marquis, Bernie Massey, Anthony McDonald, James McDonald, Fred McGinis, Shane McGrath, Bob McKenzie, Col McLean, Ian McLean, Noel McMahen, Ken Melville, Laurie Mithen, Peter Moore, Jack Mueller, David Neitz, Stephen Newport, Jack O'Keefe, Andrew Obst, Gordon Ogden, Greg Parke, Joe Pearce, Jack Purse, Ian Ridley, Guy Rigoni, Frank Roberts, Russell Robertson, Alby Rodda, Brian Roet, Peter Rohde, Alan Rowarth, David Schwarz, Norm Smith, Steven Smith, Earl Spalding, Stuart Spencer, Charlie Streeter, Steven Stretch, Jim Stynes, Tony Sullivan, Dick Taylor, Ted Thomas, Ian Thorogood, Stephen Tingay, John Townsend, Keith Truscott, Geoff Tunbridge, Bill Tymms, Barrie Vagg, Francis Vine, Todd Viney, Ivor Warne-Smith, Ray Wartman, Athol Webb, Greg Wells, Jeff White, Sean Wight, Don Williams, Brian Wilson, Stan Wittman, Shane Woewodin, Graeme Yeats, Charlie Young, Adem Yze Aside from Melbourne's on-field struggles throughout the year, they were also placed into financial turmoil and the possibility of filing for bankruptcy.

On 4 February, CEO Steve Harris announced his resignation after reportedly cutting Melbourne's pre-existing debt by 50% and increasing membership sales by 40% since 2003.

[52] With no cash, no solidified training or administration base and decreased membership count from 2007, the Demons found themselves winning only one game in the first half of the season.

On 23 May, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett suggested that Melbourne should relocate to the Gold Coast if they were to have a financially stable future.

[25] Melbourne was expected to lose $1–2 million during the year and put their near future as an existing football club in doubt.

Two days later, before the Queen's Birthday clash, Gardiner announced his resignation as Melbourne's president,[31] and endorsed Stynes to take over.

On 30 June, Melbourne successfully increased their membership count from 2007 gaining a record high 29,619 members at the time and falling just short of their goal of 30,000.

[54] During his time as CEO, NcNamee was criticised for taking a mid-season holiday to England to play in a Wimbledon doubles match.

Melbourne held its 150 Foundation Heroes dinner on 5 August where they launched their Debt Demolition campaign.

Despite all the donations Melbourne received, their major sponsor Primus Telecom announced that it would not continue its $1 million per year arrangements with the club in 2009.

[25] However, financial disagreements between the MCC and AFL prevented them from co-funding all Victorian clubs temporarily until an agreement was worked out on 20 December.