Round 14, 1991
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Saturday 22 June
Venue: Waverley
Attendance: 30,664
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 5.4 | 8.6 | 11.11.77 |
| Hawthorn | 6.6 | 12.6 | 14.10 | 19.13.127 |
Hawthorn win by 50 points
Goalkickers: Allen Jakovich 3, Jim Stynes 2, Todd Viney 2, Darren Bennett 1, Darren Cuthbertson 1, Ricky Jackson 1, Garry Lyon 1
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
Last Game
Ricky Jackson
100 Games
Jim Stynes
On a day when Brett Lovett played his 100th consecutive match, the Demons lost to Hawthorn for the fifth time in a row. It was also their fifth straight defeat of 1991, after making five changes, that left them two games outside the top six.
Kicking into a strong breeze in the first quarter the Demons opted to try and muscle their opponents out of the game at the first bounce with brawls breaking out around the ground but the tactic backfired and by quarter time they were 35 points behind. Hawthorn pulled a tactical move of their own that was more successful, starting defender Gary Ayres at full-forward and watching him boot the first two goals of the match. Ayres had a mixed day, also reported for striking Brett Lovett during the first quarter.
With Allen Jakovich finally starting to show the form that had dominated the SANFL at full-forward the Demons rallied in the second quarter but kicked themselves out of the game. Hawthorn conversely booted six straight to extend their margin.
The first three goals of the last quarter got Melbourne to within 22 points but from the 12 minute mark they then conceded the last five of the day.
Rumors about John Northey being sacked started to emerge, and President Stuart Spencer was forced to issue a statement of support. Dismissing the prospect of a coup the coach kept the players behind closed doors for 40 minutes after the match but came out saying "I haven't got any clues at all". He said "We are not playing well at all, it was very disappointing. It's hard to accept, bloody hard. We are not thinking smart, we are lazy in our actions."
Best were Lyon, J. Stynes and Jakovich
Reserves
Hawthorn 15.14.104 d. Melbourne 10.9.69
Best - P. Goldberg, Robins, Lovell
Goals - Wilkins 2, Sullivan 2, Stretch 1, Beveridge 1, Burgmann 1, Francis 1, Gorozides 1, Siderellis 1
Report - Lamb (striking)
Under 19s
Geelong 10.15.75 d. Melbourne 4.8.32
Best - Lemon, Neitz, Carroll
Goals - McCarthy 2, Aubrey 1, Carroll 1
Media
Canberra Times - 23/06/1991
Age - 23/06/1991