Round 16, 1997
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Sunday 20 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 23,309
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.5 | 2.9 | 4.15 | 7.16.58 |
| North Melbourne | 3.5 | 8.7 | 12.10 | 17.12.114 |
North Melbourne win by 56 points
Goalkickers: Brent Grgic 1, Andrew Obst 1, Robert Pyman 1, David Schwarz 1, Jim Stynes 1, Todd Viney 1, Adem Yze 1
Brownlow votes:
2 - Todd Viney
Milestones:
Nil
Entering the match on a three game losing streak North were played back into form by the Demons, who were wasteful in front of goal and outclassed by North around the ground.
Melbourne had shocked Carlton a week earlier, but they were never in North's class - especially when by three quarter time they had exactly the same amount of scoring shots but were comfortably behind. When David Schwarz ran out of steam late in the game the Demons lost their only attacking focal point.
Best were Yze, Viney and Glenn Lovett. Jeff Farmer was replaced in the selected side by Darren O'Brien due to a hamstring injury and Anthony McDonald hurt his thigh.
Reserves
North Melbourne 19.9.123 d. Melbourne 10.8.68
Goals - Bassett 3, J. McDonald 2, Robertson 2, Bishop 1, Winterton 1, David Cockatoo-Collins 1
Best - Goodale, Irving, J. McDonald
Media
Age - 20/07/1997
Football Record - R17 1997