Round 16, 1977
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday 16 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 20,050
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 4.3 | 9.5 | 10.8 | 10.11.71 |
| Melbourne | 3.5 | 6.7 | 7.10 | 13.12.90 |
Melbourne win by 19 points
Goalkickers: Ross Brewer 4, Shane Fitzsimmons 2, Barry Norsworthy 2, Garry Baker 1, Allan Davis 1, Tony Dullard 1
Milestones:
First Game
Mark Alves
Brett Marchant
150 Games
Ray Biffin
In a week where Bob Skilton announced he would retire at the end of the year, his side gave him an early going away present when they recorded a come from behind victory in the last quarter.
Richmond started the day in third place and Melbourne in 11th, and for the first three quarters it looked like the form-book was going to be followed. Even when the Tigers only managed a single goal in the third quarter Melbourne only got one of their own.
The Demon backline was keeping their opponents at bay but at the other end the forwards were having trouble scoring goals themselves. Ray Biffin was sent back into defence where he held Royce Hart to one kick by half time at which point the Tigers champion was replaced. The move failed to spark the Tigers who booted just one goal in the second half while at the other end their opponents stormed home to grab victory. Hart retired days later.
Greg Wells was dominant in the centre, while Shane Grambeau and Garry Baker were also amongst the best for their performances in defence. Gary Hardeman was a late withdrawal with a thigh injury, replaced in the starting side by Brewer. Keays replaced Brewer on the bench but like first gamer Mark Alves wasn't used.
The win lifted the Demons above St Kilda into 10th and kept them a game and percentage away from the dreaded wooden spoon.
Reserves
Richmond 11.14.80 d. Melbourne 11.7.73
Goals - Flower 3, Hayes 3, Rea 2, Cumming 1, Mackay 1, Keane 1
Best - Campbell, Byrne, Giampaolo
Under 19s
Richmond 15.12.102 d. Melbourne 9.11.65
Goals - McKaige 5, Biffin 1, Mercoulia 1, Moyle 1, Thorne 1
Best - Thompson, McKaige, Richards
Media
Age - 18/07/1977
Age - 20/07/1977
Football Record R17 1977