Round 1, 1996
Melbourne vs Geelong
Friday 29 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 46,832
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.2 | 5.4 | 6.6 | 8.8.56 |
| Geelong | 4.6 | 11.9 | 17.18 | 27.21.183 |
Geelong win by 127 points
Goalkickers: Greg Doyle 4, Jeff Hilton 1, Darren Kowal 1, Garry Lyon 1, Craig Turley 1
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
First Game
David Cockatoo-Collins
Donald Cockatoo-Collins
First MFC Game
Alastair Clarkson
Craig Turley
Statistical categories led:
Biggest loss in Round 1
The AFL's 100th season opened with fireworks and celebrations then ended in tragedy for the Demons who suffered their equal 8th highest score in VFL/AFL history.
The 17-year-old Cockatoo-Collins twins make history by becoming the first twins to debut in the same match but nothing could stop the rampaging Cats, with Gary Ablett booting 9.6.
Missing a swag of senior players the Demons' night started badly when Adem Yze was a late call-up after playing a full match in the Reserves when Matthew Febey injured his back during the warm-up.
The margin was 41 points at half time and by the last change the Cats were 78 points in front and increased their margin over 20 goals in the final term. It had been just 16 points at quarter time but when Ablett booted three goals in the first few minutes of the second term the Cats were on their way to a huge victory. An angry fan heckling Neil Balme was invited into the box by the coach before being moved away by Todd Viney.
Best were Doyle, Hopgood and Clarkson.
It remained Geelong's biggest ever win against Melbourne until Round 19, 2011, and was the Demons' equal largest ever loss at the MCG until Round 2, 2013.
Reserves
Melbourne 20.23.143 d. Geelong 3.11.29
Goals - Nettlebeck 5, Farmer 3, Davidson 3, Bradly 2, Guest 2, Gehling 2, Ormond-Allen 2, Polley 1
Best - Nettlebeck, Polley, Lamprill
Lists
Highest Scores Conceded
100 point losses
Media
Age - 30/03/1996
Age - 31/03/1996
Football Record R2 1996