Round 1, 1975
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 5 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 23,422
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.0 | 9.3 | 13.7 | 17.9.111 |
| Footscray | 4.1 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 15.10.100 |
Melbourne win by 11 points
Goalkickers: Marty Lyons 4, Greg Wells 4, Stan Alves 2, Garry Baker 1, Ross Brewer 1, Denis Clark 1, Carl Ditterich 1, Robert Flower 1, Paul Hurst 1, Kim Smith 1
Milestones:
First game
Gary Guy
Marty Lyons (and first goal)
Kim Smith (and first goal)
First MFC game
Laurie Fowler
Paul Hurst
First goal
Paul Hurst (54th game - 53 with Carlton)
The wooden spooners were expected to be no match for a Footscray side tipped to rise in '75, but to the rude shock of the Bulldogs fans they couldn't get the job done in the rain on the MCG. Both Grand Finalists of the previous year had been beaten in Round 1 that season, but neither of them by the reigning worst team in the competition.
Bulldog coach Bob Rose said his side "had too many weak-hearted players". On a day where his side debuted new uniforms specifically for colour television the margin of 11 points flattered Rose's side.
Bob Skilton's side had too much run for the Dogs, and Carl Ditterich repaid the faith of selectors to be the best man on the ground. Stan Alves, Robert Flower, Greg Wells and recruit Marty Lyons were also prominent. Clark (hamstring) was replaced by Giampaolo at quarter time and Osborne (groin) by Steven Smith in the last quarter. Baker injured his ankle.
Paul Hurst's first career goal came in his first game for the Demons after failing to land one in 53 games at Carlton.
Reserves
Footscray 16.23 d. Melbourne 13.10
Goals - Woodman 3, Tippett 2, Campbell 2, Mackey 2, Fitzsimmons 1, Carroll 1, P. O'Keefe 1, Young 1
Best - Tilbrook, Tippett, Campbell
Under 19s
Footscray 13.17 d. Melbourne 12.18
Media
Age - 07/04/1975
Inside Football - 12/05/1975
Football Record - R2 1975