Round 16, 1973
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday 21 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 30,492
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 4.5 | 9.7 | 11.12 | 16.14.110 |
| Melbourne | 2.3 | 3.8 | 5.14 | 9.19.73 |
Richmond win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Paul Callery 3, Ross Brewer 2, Stan Alves 1, Denis Clark 1, Carl Ditterich 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Ian McGuinness
Stubbornly refusing to believe that their chances of a finals appearances were gone the Demons went in believing that a win would put them back on track. They lost and wouldn't win another game for the year.
A match preview for The Age said Melbourne's forwards weren't good enough to kick a winning score, and that rover Paul Callery wouldn't have as much of an influence as Kevin Bartlett. The wings were the only position where the Age identified Melbourne being stronger thanks to Robert Flower and Shane Fitzsimmons.
Despite a masterful game from Carl Ditterich the form books were followed and Richmond careered away to an easy win. Melbourne's forward line misfired badly and during the third quarter they had the ball inside their attacking area for 23 minutes and kicked just 2.6 with a string of out-on-the-fulls to go along with it.
Best were Ditterich, Brewer and Hardeman. Tilbrook (shoulder) was replaced by Osborne in the second quarter and Davis (bruised calf) by Cumming in the last quarter.
Reserves
Richmond 12.13 d. Melbourne 7.15
Goals - McSpeerin 2, McMillan 1, Mills 1, Morgan 1, Ritterman 1, Tesoriero 1
Best - Swan, Leary, McSpeerin
Under 19s
Richmond 21.13 d. Melbourne 11.4
Goals - Doran 2, Potter 2, Rees 2, Woods 2, Chapman 1, Lierich 1, Maxey 1
Best - Meades, Ahern, Slade
Media
Age - 21/07/1973
Age - 23/07/1973
Football Record R17 1973