Round 16, 1954
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday 14 August
Venue: Punt Road
Attendance: 24,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 2.4 | 3.12 | 5.13 | 10.18.78 |
| Melbourne | 4.1 | 7.2 | 12.4 | 15.4.94 |
Melbourne win by 16 points
Goalkickers: Ken Albiston 4, Noel Clarke 4, Stuart Spencer 3, Robert B Johnson 2, Ron Barassi 1, Geoff McGivern 1
Milestones:
Nil
With their finals hopes on a knife edge after losing to Fitzroy in round 15, the Demons travelled down the road to visit the Tigers, knowing that Richmond had taken their place in the top four the previous Saturday - and that a loss would finish their hope of playing finals.
The visitors kicked three goals in the first six minutes - including two to rover Albiston - and they took a nine point lead into the first change. Richmond's inaccuracy hurt them in the first half, and after conceding the first goal of the second term they spent the next 25 minutes attacking but on couldn't get the ball within easy range and only managed eight behinds. They went into the third quarter behind despite having 15 scoring shots to nine.
Despite being lucky to be in front going into the third term the Demons took control during it, kicking five goals to two. In comparison to Richmond's inaccuracy during the second quarter the Demons managed 5.2 in the third quarter to take command.
Midway through the last quarter they were 41 points in front before Richmond kicked five goals in less than even time. They had a shot to drag the margin under a goal but it was touched on the goal-line and the Demons managed to hold on and kick the sealer.
Despite the win keeping their hopes in the tight finals race alive, the narrow margin may have come back to haunt them if fourth place was decided on percentage.
Best were Cordner, McMahen and Arnold. Beckwith (flu) was replaced in the selected side by Geoff Case. McLean was replaced at half time due to injury. Dixon and Wilson were 19th and 20th men.
Seconds
Melbourne 15.9 d. Richmond 6.11
Goals - Mueller 8, Unknown 7
Best - Constable, Laidlaw, Kearney
Thirds
Melbourne 10.10 d. Richmond 6.1
Media
Sporting Globe - 11/08/1954
Herald - 13/08/1954
Sporting Globe - 14/08/1954
Age - 14/08/1954
Age - 18/08/1954
Sporting Globe - 18/08/1954
Football Record R17 1954