Round 1, 1983
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 26 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 72,274
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 6.2 | 12.3 | 17.7 | 19.11.125 |
| Collingwood | 5.7 | 9.10 | 15.12 | 20.15.135 |
Collingwood win by 10 points
Goalkickers: Tony Elshaug 4, Robert Flower 3, Les Bamblett 2, Adrian Battiston 1, Roger Ellingworth 1, Steven Icke 1, Alan Jarrott 1, Glenn McLean 1, Peter Moore 1, Kelvin Templeton 1, Brian Wilson 1
Milestones:
First Game
Les Bamblett (and first goal)
Russell Richards
David Williams
First MFC Game
Peter Moore
Kelvin Templeton
Rodney Wright
Collingwood had undergone a transformation off-season, with a new president, new coach and a new board under the New Magpies banner. Confidence was high at Victoria Park and their first task was to negotiate the Demons in front of a huge crowd at the MCG. Melbourne hadn't trained on the MCG all pre-season due to the condition of the ground, but were reportedly so confident on victory that the players backed themselves to win. They had pulled off a similar ploy at long odds before the last meeting between the sides, but fell narrowly short this time.
To take advantage of the expected big crowd, Melbourne deployed the then-innovative move of placing portable membership caravans outside the gates, and employed staff to roam the stands and sell merchandise to fans. The result was a reported $25,000 in membership fees collected on the day.
Melbourne was without Alan Johnson, recovering from a broken hand, Kelly O'Donnell, hamstring injury, and Vice-Captain Steven Smith who failed a fitness test for an injured groin. Then Michael O'Sullivan was lost to a shoulder injury in the opening minutes.
Playing in his first match against his old club Peter Moore was surprised to see a banner reading "MOORE FILTH!" draped from the Southern Stand. The maker of the banner was turfed out of the ground and Moore made noises about suing for defamation but nothing came of it. There was also action in the Melbourne huddle at three-quarter time, when Adrian Battiston clashed with Ron Barassi before being restrained by teammates and club psychologist Rudi Webster.
The lead changed 14 times during the day before the Magpies finally triumphed in a quality match. Robert Flower had beaten three opponents during the day, but when Collingwood struck in the final term their teammates were unable to find Flower and Gerard Healy who had been so strong throughout the day. Steven Icke had beaten new Magpie David Cloke all day but when the heat came he got little support from his colleagues. An eight point lead at the 10 minute mark of the last quarter evaporated as the Pies ran over the top to win.
Best were Icke, Flower and Wilson.
The match went close to being relocated when, on the day before, the VFL made a demand that they would get increased gate takings or go elsewhere. The MCC called their bluff but in the end the two parties did negotiate a settlement which provided an improved financial result for the league.
Reserves
Collingwood 29.18.192 d. Melbourne 12.18.90
Goals - Philby 3, Thomas 3, Barnes 1, Bergman 1, Connolly 1, Fidge 1, Hamilton 1, Reynolds 1
Best - Thomas, Zantuck, Philby
Under 19s
Melbourne 17.12.114 d. Collingwood 12.14.86
Goals - McCarty 4, Fidge 3, Grinter 2, Howard 2, Lovitt 2, Ward 2, Healy 1, Wight 1
Best - Howard, Allday, Healy
Media
Age - 23/03/1983
Canberra Times - 27/03/1983
Age - 28/03/1983
Age - 29/03/1983
Inside Football - 31/03/1983
Westside Football - 31/03/1983
Football Record - R2 1983