Round 14, 1983
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 25 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 19,306
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.6 | 5.8 | 9.9 | 14.15.99 |
| Footscray | 0.5 | 3.6 | 8.12 | 12.13.85 |
Melbourne win by 14 points
Goalkickers: Tony Elshaug 2, Gerard Healy 2, Kelvin Templeton 2, Chris Connolly 1, Roger Ellingworth 1, Robert Flower 1, Peter Giles 1, Steven Icke 1, Alan Johnson 1, Kelly O'Donnell 1, Brian Wilson 1
Milestones:
Nil
The Demons, two games out of the five but still a chance of playing finals, had built up a handy half-time lead but as had been their trademark in 1983 fell apart in the third quarter.
St. Kilda discard Con Gorozidis kicked three time on goals in his Footscray debut, while the Melbourne forwards had just five kicks between them for the quarter. Gorozidis' goals compensated for the poor form at Simon Beasley, who didn't cope well with the wet and spent more than half the game on the bench.
Sensing the drama Ron Barassi made important changes, including Peter Giles onto Gorozidis, which stemmed the tide. His introduction of Kelly O'Donnell to a wing after three quarters on the bench was particuarly successful, with O'Donnell picking up ten touches in the last term.
The Demons grabbed the lead back at the last change through goals for Steven Icke and O'Donnell. Footscray kicked the first two goals of the last quarter, but in the highest scoring part of the day the Demons got five of the last seven to register a 14 point win..
Gerard Healy also sparked in the final term, making up for a disappointing day for Robert Flower who was not only well beaten by his opponent but forced to rest in the forward line after suffering bruised ribs in a heavy clash. He still kicked the winning goal.
Kelvin Templeton only kicked two goals in his first start against his old side.
Best were Johnson, Connolly and Wright. Flower suffered bruised ribs and Ellingworth a corked thigh.
Video
Reserves (played Sunday 26 June at Lake Oval)
Footscray 18.12.120 d. Melbourne 15.9.109
Goals - Fidge 4, Withers 4, Bamblett 3, Rugolo 2, Barnes 1, Battiston 1
Best - Philby, Fidge, Reynolds
Under 19s
Melbourne 17.21.123 defeated Footscray 9.12.66
Goals - McDonald 6, Yeats 4, Howard 2, Withers 2, Healy 1, Newport 1, Woolfe 1
Best - Withers, McDonald, Healy
Media
Canberra Times - 26/06/1983
Age - 27/06/1983
Football Record R15 1983