DOB: 13 April 1994
Debut: Round 1, 2013 against Port Adelaide at MCG
From: Prince Alfred College/North Adelaide/Ashburton/Carey Grammar/Oakleigh Chargers, Selection #26 (father/son), 2012 National Draft
Number: 7 (2013-)
Honours:
Best Young Player - 2013
Rising Star nomination - Round 21, 2013
Best and Fairest - 2016, 2024
Co-Captain - 2017 - 2019
Premiership player - 2021
Games: 219* (to end 2024)
Goals: 66*
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
100 | 1 | 118 | 45.66 |
Statistical categories led:
Most tackles - 1130
Most tackles in a game (16) Round 8, 2016 vs Western Bulldogs
Equal most clangers in a game: (12), Round 22, 2023 vs Carlton
Most games in jumper number 7
The son of Todd Viney and nephew of Jay committed himself to the Demons as a father/son prospect in November 2010, but did not officially become a Melbourne player until the club nominated him in advance of the 2012 Draft. He played games for Melbourne's VFL affiliate Casey during 2012, but missed time after suffering a broken jaw in a match against Geelong.
While Viney had chosen Melbourne, Greater Western Sydney or Gold Coast could have bid on him at the draft and forced Melbourne to use pick three. Neither did, allowing Melbourne to take him with a second round selection. He debuted in Round 1, 2013 and was one of the best in a disappointing defeat. Despite being kept out the side for a long period with injury he proved to be one the rare highlights of his side's terrible season - winning a Rising Star nomination late in the season and being named the club's Best Young Player. He added a further 20 games in his second year as he became a fixture of Melbourne's side. After the Round 7, 2014 win over Adelaide he was cited by the Match Review Panel for a bump on an opponent and was initially suspended for two matches. Viney managed to have the suspension overturned on appeal and was free to play the next week.
In 2015 he played his best season to date, missing out on the club's Best and Fairest by one vote despite missing six weeks with injury. The next year he played all but one game when he was suspended, winning his first B&F after being one of the most consistent players on the list.
Viney appeared in 18 games in 2017, missing time with two foot injuries. Further foot injuries restricted him to 10 games in 2018, missing the first eight weeks of the season, then from Round 17 until returning for the Elimination Final. Returned to play 21 games in 2019 but was down on form, with several excellent games but a number where he struggled to have an impact.
After playing every game in the shortened 2020 season, Viney battled more injuries in 2021. In the pre-season he had foot surgery, then developed a hot spot on his toe early in the year. He played 16 games, ending the season as a premiership player. He played a career-best 22 games in a 2022 season uninterrupted by injury, but couldn't stop his side going out of the finals in straight sets. Another injury-free season followed in 2023, and Viney won best of ground honours for major games against Richmond and Collingwood.
After speculation late in 2024 linking him with a move to North Melbourne, where his father now worked, Viney signed a contract extension to remain at the club until the end of 2028. He ended the season with his second Best and Fairest award.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
2013 | 13 | 3 | 2 |
2014 | 20 | 5 | 0 |
2015 | 16 | 3 | 3 |
2016 | 21 | 8 | 14 |
2017 | 18 | 6 | 9 |
2018 | 10 | 2 | 4 |
2019 | 21 | 4 | 3 |
2020 | 16 | 5 | 6 |
2021 | 15 | 4 | 3 |
2022 | 22 | 8 | 7 |
2023 | 24 | 8 | 24 |
2024 | 23 | 10 | 8 |
Tribunal record
Match | Charge | Sanction | |
Round 7, 2014 | Rough Conduct | Not Guilty (appealed) | |
Round 22, 2015 | Wrestling | $1000 fine | |
Round 5, 2016 | Melee | $1500 fine | |
Round 10, 2016 | Striking | 1 match | |
Round 5, 2017 | Melee | $2500 fine | |
Round 20, 2021 | Serious misconduct | 2 matches | |
Round 10, 2023 | Rough conduct | $2000 fine | |
Semi Final 2023 | Striking | $3000 fine | |
Round 15, 2024 | Engagine in a melee | $1250 fine | |
Round 23, 2024 | Rough conduct | $6250 fine |
Media
Herald Sun - 08/10/2012
melbournefc.com.au - 20/08/2024