Round 12, 1972
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Saturday 17 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 31,314
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.4 | 4.8 | 8.10 | 11.10.76 |
| Hawthorn | 7.0 | 8.0 | 11.4 | 11.9.75 |
Melbourne win by 1 point
Goalkickers: Greg Parke 4, John Tilbrook 2, Greg Wells 2, Ross Brewer 1, Lloyd Burgmann 1, Henry Ritterman 1
Milestones:
Nil
The Hawks first visit to the MCG since they won the 1971 premiership ended in disaster when the Demons got the result the right way around in their second one point result in two matches.
The Hawks had four shots in the last eight minutes to win the match but kicked three points and booted one out on the full. They had kicked eight straight goals to start the match but when it counted their inaccuracy came back to haunt them and put a gigantic dent in hopes of winning back-to-back premierships.
One of the most pleasing sights for Demon fans, and coach Ian Ridley was the strong performance of John Tilbrook. "Diamond Jim" had been booed by sections of his own supporters a few weeks before, but in the words of his coach he "looked like a league footballer for the first time since he's been in Victoria". He kicked the second last goal before laying the winner on for Greg Parke.
Melbourne had won without either of Stan Alves or Gary Hardeman who were away with the Victorian state side.
Best were Bourke, Biffin and McKenzie. Callery (concussion) was replaced by McSpeerin in the first quarter. Williamson was an unused reserve.
Reserves
Hawthorn 17.17 d. Melbourne 12.11
Goals - Harrold 4, Payne 2, Davis 1, Dillon 1, Giampaolo 1, McDonald 1, D. Reid 1, Taylor 1
Best - Queay, Clark, Harrold
Under 19s
Melbourne 14.17 d. Hawthorn 12.11
Goals - G. Macdonald 3, R. Macdonald 2, Pikington 2, Tesoriero 2, Giampaolo 1, Harrold 1, McMullin 1, Perrett 1, Williamson 1
Best - Manson, Giampaolo, Moore
Lists
One Point Games
Media
Age - 19/06/1972
Inside Football - 24/06/1972
Football Record R13 1972