Round 16, 1981
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 18 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 21,947
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.2 | 2.5 | 7.5 | 12.7.79 |
| Geelong | 5.6 | 10.16 | 16.26 | 22.35.167 |
Geelong win by 88 points
Goalkickers: Mark Jackson 3, Brent Crosswell 2, Tony Elshaug 2, Gerard Healy 2, Kelly O'Donnell 2, Andrew Moir 1
Milestones:
First Game
Ian Todd
Last Game
Russell Dickson
Last MFC Game
Jamie Barham
200 Games
Phil Pinnell (also with Carlton)
After an encouraging match against the Magpies a week earlier the word at Melbourne was that they could push the Cats even further. The word was well and truly wrong.
Geelong stormed to victory but if they'd been accurate in kicking for goal it may have become one of the biggest massacres in league history. Their score was, and still is, the second highest amount of behinds ever kicked in a premiership match. Peter Featherby had one of the great games, racking up 40 kicks, eight handballs and 4.5.
Barassi had to concede and admit that it was the best side they had played against all season. After losing the scoring shots count 57-19 he had little other option.
Best were Healy, Fowler and Flower. Peter Keenan was replaced by first gamer Ian Todd in the team due to a back complaint.
Reserves
Geelong 22.15.147 d. Melbourne 10.13.73
Goals - Braddy 2, Korn 2, Clayton 1, Bergmann 1, Fidge 1, Nettleford 1, McKenzie 1, Whitford 1
Under 19s
Geelong 20.8.128 d. Melbourne 17.11.113
Goals - Cordner 10, McCarthy 3, Battiston 2, Dickson 1, O'Sullivan 1
Best - Cordner, Connolly, Dickson
Notes
Canberra Times said Peter Keenan was not considered for selection, and that he ran on the ground as a stunt only.
Media
Canberra Times - 19/07/1981
Age - 20/07/1981
Football Record R17 1981