David Neitz Biography

Six players are inducted into the Hall of Fame in a gala ceremony at Crown Palladium including Matthew Scarlett, Wayne Johnston, Terry Wallace, David Neitz, Mel Whinnen and Bernie Naylor.

David Neitz joins Hawthorn as a specialist key-position coach.

"David's experience in a number of key position roles will be incredibly valuable in coaching our younger players who are developing in those positions," Hawthorn's general manager of football operations Chris Fagan said.

"The fact that David earned All Australian selection as a centre-half back in 1995 and then again seven years later as a full-forward indicates he has a great deal of experience at both ends of the ground that he can impart on our younger players."

Matthew Bate is Melbourne's heir apparent at full-forward in the shadow of Demon great, David Neitz.

Hawthorn, St Kilda and Melbourne have temporarily retired the guernseys of champions Shane Crawford, Robert Harvey and David Neitz.

David Neitz retires as Melbourne's longest-serving captain due to a serious neck injury sustained during a clash with Carlton that prevents him from playing competitive football.

"It's not the fairytale end that I would have liked and hoped and dreamed for, but I've spoken to specialists over the past couple of weeks and have taken on a lot of advice," Neitz said.

"The decision has been made quite easily after seeing two neurosurgeons, and one suggesting that I have surgery on a ruptured disc, and the other suggesting I should perhaps not get the surgery and not play football and hope it gets better.

"Either way, either option means I'm not fit to play football this year and therefore, my retirement is being announced today."

James McDonald and Cameron Bruce are named as co-captains of Melbourne after skipper David Neitz is sidelined for eight weeks due to a serious neck injury.

Neitz is expected to return towards the end of the season where he will play his final matches before retiring.

David Neitz decides to continue as skipper of the Demons for a club-record ninth season in 2008.

"It's a fantastic honour to once again captain the Melbourne footy club, after a pre-season where, I guess, I asked a few questions of myself as to whether I should be the right person to take on the job again," Neitz said.

"Hopefully, I can perform well enough out on the field to be able to justify going on."

Rounding out Melbourne's leadership group are Brad Miller and Adem Yze as well as Cameron Bruce, James McDonald, Brock McLean and Russell Robertson.

With a consultancy firm being employed to review Melbourne's leadership structure, Neitz says that his position as captain may not be secure.

Despite having a preference to continue as skipper of the Demons, Neitz was positive about the process.

"We haven't made any formal decisions about who's going to lead the club or whether there's going to be a captain at all or what the make-up of that will be," Neitz said.

"I'm really comfortable with the process, I'm really enjoying it and I think it will be a great thing for our team and really spread our leadership around from oldest player to the youngest player."