Dukes of depth - Saturday 8 April 2000

What do Norway and Shepparton have in common? Give up? Manchester United spare striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Anthony Mellington. Everyone remembers the European Cup Final last year. Manchester United vs Bayern Munich. Andy Cole was dragged and replaced by the baby faced Solskjaer. Deep into injury time in the second half , the Norwegian found space through heavy traffic scored the winning goal. Man United shocked the incredulous Germans.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spent most of his time in the reserves at Old Trafford. He came on as a substitute against Derby County last season and kicked four goals through the second half. Two weeks later he was dropped to the Magoos. The Norwegian wears number 20 the same as Mellington had at the Kangaroos.

It's a mystery train why North picked up Mello. You can only think he was a back up in case Carey or Longmire or Mark Roberts or Sholl or McKernan fell over. Yet when he played senior football he was like a small business - put all his wares on display.

Mellington was drafted by Fitzroy from VCFL team Shepparton in 1995. He made his senior debut the same year. He wore the number 3 jumper made famous by Gary Pert. Mello was built fine as a summer's day, certainly no Adonis in maroon and blue. Yet at full forward AM was FM - a fantastic mark. He used his body cleverly in marking contests and had pace over 10. His goal kicking was sometimes erratic but when on song he was the full symphony.

Mellington was the Roys' leading goal kicker in 1996 with 24 lee majors. That was the year the AFL allowed the fires of proud inner suburban club to be extinguished. In that last emotional game against the Dockers at the Whitten Oval, Mello on a long lead marked out in front of his dial turned, played on and slotted truly down the Barkly Road end 15 minutes into the second quarter. During the last term, Mello grabbed the nut, dodged two defenders and snapped a great goal that Solskjaer would have admired.

Surprisingly the Mello man was not picked up by the Brisbane Lions. He crossed to Arden Street with team mate Brett Chandler in 1997. The 22 year old forward was given the number 20 used previously by Peter Mann and Schimma. Mellington performed well in his first season. Round 7 a Friday night locking of horns with Collingwood. Mello took a pair of strong catches and goaled from both. His third twin flagger was a beauty over the heads of rushing defenders. Reflected the skills of a surgeon and the toe of a Roman sandal.

He took two decisive grabs against Brisbane during Round 19. He gave off a handpass that resulted in a snag to Sholl. A 40 metre pass set up Longmire for a six pointer.

Mello was handy against Melbourne in the second round of 1998. The third quarter he marked and goaled. Then for some reason the ex Fitzroy forward did a Houdini. He had the season in the Reserves. To his credit he played some great seconds games but due to the stability of the senior forward line AM was unable to break back into the Ones.

His AFL career ended in 1998. 41 games for 41 goals over 5 years.

The only difference now between Mello and the Man United numero 20 is that Solskjaer is still a deputy never to be sheriff.

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