Round 12, 1973
St. Kilda vs Melbourne
Saturday 23 June
Venue: Moorabbin
Attendance: 23,262
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| St. Kilda | 1.3 | 6.7 | 7.7 | 11.14.80 |
| Melbourne | 3.5 | 3.7 | 4.16 | 6.18.54 |
St. Kilda win by 26 points
Goalkickers: Stan Alves 1, Ross Brewer 1, Robert Flower 1, Graham Osborne 1, Glenn Swan 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
Nil
The Demons three match winning streak and charge towards the finals was halted in a spiteful encounter at Moorabbin.
Stephen Kerley was felled behind play by Kevin Neale in the second quarter and was still bleeding after the game. He received a chipped tooth and was forced to seek treatment with an ear, nose and throat specialist. The incident went unreported, as did a hit on St. Kilda rover Jeff Moran which briefly knocked him out.
The Saints attack was misfiring, but at the other end their defenders were comfortably on top. When the Demons did have chances they were wasteful, opening up a lead of just 14 points at quarter time despite the howling gale and then kicking 1.9 with it in the third term.
Carl Ditterich had a fiery return to Moorabbin, spending the day clashing with old teammates, arguing with field umpires, and being baited by the crowd. For the second time that year lowered his colours against the Saints.
Best were Flower, Biffin and Bourke. Kerley (facial injury) was replaced by Rollinson at three-quarter time. Swan was replaced by Williamson during the last quarter.
For the first time the VFL allowed video in a tribunal case, with footage taken for St Kilda's coaches presented in defence of Saints player Ian George who had been accused of striking.
Reserves
Melbourne 8.9 d. St Kilda 7.12
Goals - Morgan 2, Dullard 1, R. Clark 1, Delmenico 1, O'Connell 1, Owens 1, Ritterman 1
Best - Leary, Clark, McGuinness
Under 19s
St Kilda 11.9 d. Melbourne 10.10
Goals - Payne 3, Arundale 2, Ahern 1, McMullen 1, Meades 1, Moorehouse 1, Reid 1
Best - Payne, Meads, Moore
Media
Age - 25/06/1973
Age - 25/06/1973
Football Record R13 1973