Elimination Final, 2002
Melbourne vs Kangaroos
Sunday 8 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 53,967
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.2 | 9.5 | 11.10 | 18.14.122 |
| Kangaroos | 3.4 | 5.8 | 7.11 | 11.18.84 |
Melbourne win by 38 points
Goalkickers: Peter Vardy 5, Russell Robertson 3, Brad Green 2, David Neitz 2, Adem Yze 2, Steven Armstrong 1, Cameron Bruce 1, Travis Johnstone 1, Shane Woewodin 1
Milestones:
Nil
North's shock loss to West Coast in the last round of the season sent them ensured that Melbourne played them instead of Essendon. The Demons started $1.65 favourites, but with a severe shortage of key defenders, with their most recent game a battling win against 15th placed St Kilda in Round 22. Shane Woewodin kicked the first goal of the match but the Roos were the better team early. They held an 11 point lead in the second quarter before Melbourne recovered to lead by 21 points at the long break. Byron Pickett kicked the first goal of the third quarter, but North wasted 15 minutes of domination without adding more scoreboard pressure. The Demons recovered to break even for the quarter, conceding a goal after the siren but still 23 points ahead.
The Kangaroos were still every chance of winning it in a seesawing final term where they came strongly at the Demons. With seven minutes of gametime remaining North had booted three in a row and were within 15 points. It took a cheap free kick in the goalsquare for Peter Vardy to boot his fifth and release the pressure. Johnstone sealed the game minutes later after a tap from Darren Jolly and the quarter ended up being seven goals to four in Melbourne's favour. Russell Robertson had been instrumental in the victory after kicking three goals in a burst when his opponent Glenn Archer, who had held him nearly kickless to that point, was sent forward to try and kick a winning score. Melbourne moved on to the Semi Final against Adelaide.
Yze, Johnstone and Woewodin were best. Neale Daniher said "With the results, especially Collingwood getting up, it has opened up one side of the draw. There's no doubt about that. Adelaide will be ferocious. They've been terrific all year and they're a good, quality side. We're in for one heck of a first quarter."
Media
Age - 09/09/2002