Reserves Grand Final, 1971
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday September 25
Venue: MCG
Attendance: n/a
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 6.2 | 11.6 | 13.9 | 18.15.123 |
| Essendon | 3.4 | 7.7 | 12.11 | 16.14.110 |
Melbourne win by 13 points
Goalkickers: Ian McGuinness 6, Peter Dilnot 3, Taylor 2, Geoff Harrold 2, Ross Brewer 2, Peter Williamson 1, Anderson 1, John Cumming 1
The Demons had already beaten Essendon in the Semi Final and repeated the dose to win the Premiership with better marking and stronger attacking. For the second time Essendon had to contend with players being called up to the Reserves on the same day.
And much like their first meeting the Bombers raced home to fall narrowly short. Essendon reeled in a 23 point half-time lead to hit the front early in the last quarter but Melbourne struck back and held on to win, despite kicking a string of behinds from gettable shots. Peter Dilnot came alive after a slow day, including taking a mark likened to Alex Jesaulenko's famous Grand Final grab from the previous year. Ross Brewer joined in with a couple of goals and Melbourne were home.
Future senior players in the match included Ross Brewer, John Cumming, Peter Dilnot, Geoff Harrold Stephen Kerley, Ian McGuinness, Kevin Moore, Laurie Queay, Kim Smith and Peter Williamson.
Other players included Ken Davis and John Cunningham. Aubrey, Tassell, Conley, MacDonald, Woods, Taylor, Martin.
Media
Age - 27/09/1971