Round 11, 1961
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 1 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 38,090
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.5 | 8.9 | 14.16 | 17.18.120 |
| Richmond | 2.5 | 2.9 | 4.11 | 7.12.54 |
Melbourne win by 66 points
Goalkickers: Robert B Johnson 5, Frank Adams 3, Geoff Tunbridge 3, Laurie Mithen 2, Clyde Laidlaw 1, Bruce Leslie 1, Hassa Mann 1, Ray Nilsson 1
Milestones:
First Goal
Bruce Leslie (3rd game)
Richmond had been in improved form in previous weeks, managed to stick with their future co-tenants through a tough first quarter before the Demons ran away with the match comfortably and put a halt to their charge towards the top four.
The Tigers were enthusiastic, but poorly equipped to deal with Melbourne's long kicking game. Richmond had the wind in the second quarter but failed to use it effectively, with the margin extending to six goals at half time.
Melbourne pushed away even further in the third, but with the result a foregone conclusion Melbourne added just one more point to their lead in the last as the Tigers showed some belated fight despite losing two players to injury during the match.
Tassie Johnson, John Lord and Trevor Johnson were best. Ian Ridley (strained knee ligaments) was replaced by Ray Nilsson in the second quarter, and Len Mann by Ray Dawson in the last quarter due to the same injury. Laurie Mithen suffered a fractured right cheek, in his return game after recovering from a fractured left cheek.
Reserves
Melbourne 13.14 d. Richmond 4.8
Goals - Matthews 4, Thorpe 3, Breen 2, Rowarth 2, Carroll 1, Lethlean 1
Best - Emselle, Matthews, J. Leahy
Under 19's
Melbourne 11.9 d. Richmond 9.6
Goals - Hancy 4, Glover 1, O'Neill 1, Kirsanovs 1, T. Johnston 1, Glass 1, O'Brien 1, B. Johnston 1
Best - Hill, Hancy, Fraser
Media
"Mithen's second facial injury" - The Age 03/07/1961
"Richmond never gave Melbourne a chance" - The Age 03/07/1961
Football Record R12 1961