Adem Yze

Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

One of the earliest players of Albanian origin to play AFL football was from Shepparton and tonight we induct Adem Yze into the Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame as we celebrate an amazing AFL career and his selection as an All Australian. The name YZE has been prolific in Shepparton sporting circles for many years.

However his football career didn’t start that well when he turned up for his first junior match in a pair of long daggy board shorts. The opposition spectators gave him some cheek but they soon quietened down as he booted goal after goal on his way to a 20 goal total for the match and a new star was on the way up.

Adem played under age football with Shepparton United and showed great ability as a flashy forward with good pace. He came under notice of the AFL scouts and was drafted to the Melbourne Demons in the 1994 draft.  He made his senior debut in 1995 and won the Demons best 1^st year player award. He was also a rising star nominee. Adem Yze had arrived as a top prospect who would have an outstanding career In 1997 the left footer provided a glimmer of hope for the Demons as a wingman but he came of age the next year when his running and rebounding style off the half back flank proved a valuable element in the Demon’s rise. The Demons fans just loved his style and you could hear the name OOOZE echo around the MCG when Adem attacked the ball. He settled in beautifully to Melbourne’s team and played good consistent football. He was very fit and had few injuries. This aspect enabled him to hold a record for the 226 AFL games he played consecutively.

 In 2001 he won the Bluey Truscott medal as Melbourne’s best player.  He amassed heaps of kicks each game and was AFL’s leading kick getter in 2001, 2 and 4.  2002 saw Adem have a special year in top form which enabled him to be selected as an “All Australian”. He also represented Australia against Ireland. He was such a popular player with everyone at Melbourne and the Demons were delighted that he continued on to play good experienced football until the 2008 season when he retired  after  amassing a total of 271 senior games and kicking 234 goals over 13 years. Following his playing career he became an assistant coach with the Hawthorn Club for 8 years and last year returned to his beloved Demons at a great time as assistant coach to the premiership team. The City of Shepparton now recognises his wonderful football career and inducts him into the Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame.