Round 1, 1972
Hawthorn vs Melbourne
Saturday 1 April
Venue: Glenferrie Oval
Attendance: 21,513
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Hawthorn | 4.3 | 9.4 | 10.10 | 15.14.104 |
| Melbourne | 1.3 | 4.7 | 5.11 | 10.15.75 |
Hawthorn win by 29 points
Goalkickers: Ray Carr 2, Greg Wells 2, Stan Alves 1, Ross Brewer 1, Paul Callery 1, Ross Dillon 1, Peter Keenan 1, John Townsend 1
Milestones:
First game and first goal
Ross Brewer
John Letcher played his first senior game since Round 5, 1970 and Ross Brewer debuted on a half forward flank as Hawthorn unveiled their premiership flag in the toughest possible start for the Demons.
The Hawks looked set for a record breaking performance to celebrate the unveiling until Peter Hudson was carried off just before half time. Barry Bourke had backed into him just as he took a mark and in the resulting tangle Hudson suffered a serious knee injury which ended his year. He had already booted 8.1 and handed off another easy goal. The Hawks responded by only managing one goal in the third term, but Melbourne were equally impotent up forward and only put on one themselves.
Both sides kicked five in the final term but it was too late for the Demons who had missed their opportunity to chip away at the Hawks lead.
Best were Hardeman, Sinclair and Alves. Burgmann was replaced by Lakes in the second quarter and Osborne by Walker in the last quarter.
Reserves
Hawthorn 14.19 d. Melbourne 12.7
Goals - Clennett 3, Parke 3, Ritterman 2, Tilbrook 2, McSpeerin 1, Morgan 1
Best - Clennett, McSpeerin, Kerley
Under 19s
Hawthorn 20.9 defeated Melbourne 12.19
Goals - McMullin 5, G. MacDonald 2, Tesoriero 2, R. MacDonald 1, McGuinness 1, Perrett 1
Best - McMullin, McGuinness, Barnes
Media
Age - 03/04/1972
Inside Football - 08/04/1972
Football Record R2 1972