Round 15, 1977
North Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 9 July
Venue: Arden Street
Attendance: 11,253
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| North Melbourne | 5.5 | 10.8 | 15.14 | 18.19.127 |
| Melbourne | 2.4 | 4.6 | 7.9 | 11.10.76 |
North Melbourne win by 51 points
Goalkickers: Ross Brewer 2, Ted Carroll 1, Henry Coles 1, Daryl Cumming 1, Shane Fitzsimmons 1, Robert Flower 1, Gary Hardeman 1, Steven Smith 1, Greg Wells 1, Chris Woodman 1
Milestones:
Nil
In the finals race up to their necks North laboured to a tedious victory against a massively overmatched side playing for nothing more than the chance to avoid the wooden spoon.
Starting the last quarter 53 points ahead North, and some curious umpiring, let the Demons kick four token goals in the first 13 minutes to make the game slightly interesting before the Roos hit back and extended the margin back to nearly what it had been at the first bounce of the term.
Future Demon Brent Crosswell was the only attraction worth watching, kicking five goals and brawling with both Adrian Dullard and Laurie Fowler. One of Melbourne’s few victories for the day was Robbie Flower having the best of Stan Alves in his ex-captain’s first game against the Demons.
Best were Flower, Dullard and Sullivan. Hardeman (thigh) was replaced by Baker at half time and Smith (thigh) by Carroll at three quarter time.
Reserves
North Melbourne 18.23.131 d. Melbourne 15.13.103
Goals - Alves 3, Baldwin 3, Flower 3, Johnston 2, Tippett 2, Thomson 1, Walters 1
Best - Wingate, Keays, Alves
Under 19s
North Melbourne 17.18.120 d. Melbourne 12.11.83
Goals - Keane 3, Thorne 3, Moir 2, Boccabella 1, Campbell 1, Oliver 1, Zubin 1
Best - Moir, Richards, Thompson
Report - Thorne (charging)
Media
Age - 11/07/1977
Football Record R16 1977