Round 14, 1977
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 2 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 21,743
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 5.8 | 6.11 | 9.16.70 |
| Essendon | 1.2 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 8.11.59 |
Melbourne win by 11 points
Goalkickers: Henry Coles 3, Ray Biffin 2, Gary Hardeman 1, Barry Norsworthy 1, Steven Smith 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
Last game
Brian Cook
First goal
Barry Norsworthy (2nd game)
In a week of continual rain, the game was in danger of not being played with VFL Executives on call for an emergency meeting to call matches off that week if the rain continued. On an uncharacteristically ugly MCG mudheap the Demons shocked an Essendon side even less experienced than themselves.
The absence of Simon Madden left Stephen Smith to run riot in the ruck, and he saw off the Bombers starting ruckman quickly. Essendon played well in the second quarter but they were beaten across the other three with Essendon kicking just two goals in the entire second half.
The Demons could have won by more but even allowing for the slushy conditions they were wasteful with their kicking for goal. The win lifted them a game and percentage above Fitzroy on the bottom of the ladder.
Best were Wells, Norsworthy and Smith. Graham was replaced by Cook in the last quarter. Peter Hamilton was an unused reserve.
Reserves
Melbourne 9.18.72 d. Essendon 10.4.64
Goals - Alves 2, Woodman 2, Baker 1, Byrne 1, T. Flower 1, Tippett 1, Walters 1
Best - Denny, Wingate, Keays
Under 19s
Under 19s games cancelled as all reserve grade games were transferred to the away teams grounds due to the VFL Adverse Weather policy.
Media
Age - 30/06/1977
Age - 04/07/1977
Football Record R15 1977