Practice Match, 1997
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 8 March
Venue: Devonport
Attendance: Approx. 9000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.4 | 5.4 | 10.8 | 13.10.88 |
| Collingwood | 1.0 | 3.3 | 5.5 | 6.7.43 |
Melbourne win by 45 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 4, Glenn Lovett 3, Jeff Farmer 2, Robert Pyman 1, Matthew Febey 1, Anthony Ingerson 1, Darren O'Brien 1
Melbourne won the toss and took advantage of a strong breeze to open a 22 point lead at quarter time. The Pies won the second quarter, but were again swamped in the third with five goals to two. The Dees then ran away easy winners in the last quarter.
Both clubs complained to the league about scheduling that had them getting to the ground only 2.5hrs before the game, after three hours of travel from the mainland. Garry Lyon was scheduled to play, but the tight timeframes meant he was left out.
Best were Matthew Febey, Glenn Lovett and David Neitz. Jim Stynes suffered a bruised back.
Media
Age - 04/03/1997
Age - 09/03/1997
Links
Demon Chronicle