Round 11, 1985
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 8 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 31,606
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 8.5 | 11.9 | 15.11.101 |
| Richmond | 2.4 | 7.5 | 14.13 | 17.19.121 |
Richmond win by 20 points
Goalkickers: Mark Withers 3, Ted Fidge 2, Gerard Healy 2, David Allday 1, Adrian Battiston 1, John Fidge 1, Rod Grinter 1, Danny Hughes 1, Alan Johnson 1, Russell Richards 1, Sean Wight 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Danny Hughes
Milestones:
First game and First goal
David Allday
Before the game Barassi said he wouldn’t go on coaching if Melbourne had a poor season. “I will give it away when I think I should. It could be this year” he said. His side only won one game in the second half the year and he departed as promised.
Given a chance to further press their claims as a top five side against fellow contender Richmond, Melbourne fell short and went into the second half of the year a game and percentage outside the finals in 9th. Without Robert Flower and Peter Moore to choose from, Ron Barassi blamed injuries for his side's performance, claiming he had an entire senior side sitting on the sidelines. It didn't excuse the dull, uninspiring way the team he did pick would play after quarter time.
Two more goals to open the second term seemed to indicate that they were on their way, but as soon as a minor skirmish between the two sides broke out during the middle of the quarter the Tigers took over. They kicked four late second quarter goals and were never headed again, going on to win without many issues.
Best were Gerard Healy, Grinter and Withers. To further add to Melbourne's injury woes Chris Connolly suffered broken ribs and Alan Johnson hurt his knee. Michael O'Sullivan was a late withdrawal with a pre-game thigh injury.
Reserves
Melbourne 17.10.112 d. Richmond 14.14.98
Goals - Templeton 5, Greg Healy 2, Newport 2, Tanner 2, Armstrong 1, Dickson 1, Cordner 1, Matthews 1, Ryan 1, Seddon 1
Best - Cordner, Newport, Kol
Under 19s
Richmond 17.12.114 d. Melbourne 10.12.72
Goals - Summers 3, Sparks 2, Brody 2, Hannant 2, Edwards 1
Best - Sparks, McCarty, Hannant
Media
Inside Football - 06/06/1985
Canberra Times - 09/06/1985
Canberra Times - 09/06/1985
Canberra Times - 09/06/1985
Age - 10/06/1985
Football Record R12 1985