Round 16, 1998
Melbourne vs Fremantle
Saturday, 18 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 20,365
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.2 | 7.5 | 11.6 | 16.10.106 |
| Fremantle | 5.2 | 7.3 | 10.5 | 13.5.83 |
Melbourne win by 23 points
Goalkickers: Garry Lyon 4, David Neitz 3, Jeff Farmer 2, Russell Robertson 2, Stephen Tingay 2, Todd Viney 2, David Neitz 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Todd Viney
1 - Anthony Ingerson
Best and Fairest
35 - Steven Febey
34 - Adem Yze
30 - Anthony Ingerson
27 - Todd Viney
24 - Garry Lyon
Milestones:
Last Game
Donald Cockatoo-Collins
Nearing the end of their fourth season in the competition, the Dockers had never won at the MCG. Going in underdogs against the Demons they looked dangerous throughout the first half.
During the tight third quarter Garry Lyon booted two goals to lift his side. Todd Viney too was prominent, against former and future Demons Jason Norrish and Scott Chisholm.
Even in the last quarter the Dockers came back at Melbourne. Jeff Farmer booted his first goal to put the side 29 points in front but within minutes the Dockers were back to 11 points behind. His second goal, and Lyon's fourth rescued the game for the Demons.
Tingay, Yze and Lyon were amongst the Demons best. Todd Viney was reported for striking Luke Toia but found not guilty.
Neale Daniher said "We always thought it was going to be a very hard game. Fremantle are a very good above-the-ground team and conditions were fantastic for football. We played a four-quarter effort and at the end were lucky enough to get away with a win. We were really happy with that. I don't know how many wins it will take to make the eight, but I do know nine is closer than eight."
Reserves
Melbourne 17.16.118 d. Carlton 11.12.78
Best - Kowal, Nicholson, Johnstone
Goals - Lamaro 3, Bradly 3, Cann 3, Smoker 2, Johnstone 2 Williams 1, O'Dwyer 1, Nettlebeck 1, Longmuir 1
Lists
Tribunal
Media
Age - 19/07/1998
Football Record R17 1998