Practice match, 1996
Saturday 17 February
Venue: Lavington Oval, Albury
Attendance: 10,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.1 | 8.3 | 10.8 | 15.11.101 |
| Collingwood | 2.3 | 7.4 | 9.8 | 11.9.75 |
Melbourne win by 26 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 3, Shaun Smith 2, Andrew Leoncelli 2, Jim Stynes 2, Garry Lyon 1, Andrew Obst 1, Darren Kowal 1, Marcus Seecamp 1, Jeff Hilton 1, Alastair Clarkson 1
The Dees led by a goal at the last change, before piling on five goals to two to run out easy winners.
Best were Neitz, Kowal and Obst. Shaun Smith broke his arm.
At the 10 minute mark of the last quarter of the earlier reserves game, David Schwarz tried to collect a loose ball on the half-forward line and saw his knee buckle under him. He was able to leave the ground in the hands of two trainers, but the circumstances were identical to the injury that ended his 1995 season. He didn't play again until late 1997.
Media
Age - 18/02/1996
Age - 19/02/1996