Round 15, 1976
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 10 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 25,009
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 10.8 | 12.11 | 15.14.104 |
| Essendon | 5.2 | 7.5 | 13.8 | 18.11.119 |
Essendon win by 15 points
Goalkickers: Allan Davis 6, Ray Biffin 3, Tony Dullard 2, Greg Wells 2, Stan Alves 1, Gary Guy 1
Milestones:
Nil
The Bombers kicked their highest home and away score against Melbourne since 1944 but were challenged until half-time when coach Bill Stephens made a number of positional moves that gave his side the edge. Stephens' troops were also boosted by Graham Moss kicking three goals in the first nine minutes of the third term.
Another loss for the Demons left them just a game and percentage above last place, but the tightness of the ladder meant that they were also only a game and percentage outside of the five with seven games left to go.
Best were Coles, McKellar and Davis. Hardeman (ankle) was replaced by Grambeau in the third quarter and Hutchison was replaced by Graham in the last quarter.
Reserves
Essendon 22.16.148 d. Melbourne 13.20.98
Goals - Walters 4, O'Keefe 2, Flower 1, Freeman 1, Goss 1, Kelly 1, Tippett 1, Walley 1, Woodman 1
Under 19s
Essendon 14.12.96 d. Melbourne 13.10.88
Goals - Davidson 5, Thorne 3, Caddaye 1, Jones 1, McKaige 1, Woods 1, Zubin 1
Best - Davidson, Thorne, Salter
Media
Age - 12/07/1976
Football Record R16 1976