Reserves Semi Final, 1969
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday, 14 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: n/a
1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
Melbourne | 4.5 | 8.8 | 9.11 | 12.16.88 |
Richmond | 1.5 | 4.8 | 9.11 | 11.11.77 |
Melbourne win by 11 points
Goalkickers: Ray Biffin 5, Neville Stone 2, Chris Aitken 1, Kelvin Clarke 1, Barrie Vagg 1, Bryan Kenneally 1, Mark Mitchell 1
The Demons won through to the Grand Final, but they suffered a raft of crucial injuries. Gardiner Medallist Ken Emselle was forced from the ground at half-time with strained knee ligaments and Ray Biffin bruised his thigh and hip.
The two had been best-on-ground to that point, with Biffin having kicked five goals. When they left the ground the Tigers hit back and nearly stole the game.
24 points in front at half-time, the absence of Emselle helped Richmond hit back and the scores were level at the last change. Barrie Vagg steadied his side with a goal in the first few seconds of the last term, but Richmond hit back again. They were still within a goal at the final siren when Kelvin Clarke goalled to make the margin look more comfortable than it really was.
Media
Age - 15/09/1969