Round 1, 1986
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday 29 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 25,219
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 4.7 | 8.13 | 14.13 | 19.14.128 |
| Melbourne | 3.4 | 11.10 | 14.16 | 20.18.138 |
Melbourne win by 10 points
Goalkickers: Ted Fidge 4, Michael Reynolds 3, Rod Grinter 2, Garry Lyon 2, Peter Moore 2, Russell Richards 2, Steve Turner 2, Robert Flower 1, Brian Wilson 1, Shane Zantuck 1
Brownlow Votes:
2 - Alan Johnson
Milestones:
First game
Garry Lyon (and first goal)
Steven Stretch
Steve Turner (and first goal)
First game as coach
John Northey
Richmond were a different, far more disappointing side than they had been at the start of the decade but it didn't make a difference to the Melbourne members who acclaimed the start of a new era under John Northey with a victory on a hot day at the MCG.
The Tigers held a narrow lead at quarter time before suffering an eight goal blitz by the Demons in the second term. Despite Robert Flower suffering another injury, this time bruised ribs, the Demons to the last break three points in front. The only potent forward the Tigers had was Michael Roach who kicked 6.3 from his nine kicks. They had precious little else, only future-Demon Michael Pickering contributing with three goals.
Richmond held a 15 point lead halfway through the last quarter before goals to Garry Lyon on debut and Brian Wilson. The Tigers clung to a three points lead for the next eight minutes as the two sides struggled to score. Eventually it was Alan Johnson, sore groin and all, who drove his side to victory. He laid off a goal for Ted Fidge - his fourth of the day after starting on the bench - via Adrian Battiston to put the side in front and they didn't look back.
First game coach John Northey said "it was a great team effort to come back like that. Other teams would have given the game away".
Best were Johnson, Fidge and Battiston
Video
Reserves
Richmond 18.20.128 d. Melbourne 15.15.105
Goals - Edwards 4, Ward 3, Rugolo 2, Nichols 2, Stynes 1, Dickson 1, Wright 1, Eishold 1
Best - Campbell, Allday, Withers
Under 19s
Melbourne 27.13.175 d. Richmond 18.8.116
Goals - Stoney 6, Brodie 3, G. Marra 3, Roe 3, Sparks 3, Aitken 2, Hewitson 2, J. Marra 1, Duerkop 1, Hannant 1, Lane 1
Best - Sparks, Duerkop, Stoney
Media
Canberra Times - 30/03/1986
Age - 31/03/1986