Round 17, 1972
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 29 July
Venue: Windy Hill
Attendance: 16,318
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 3.3 | 13.6 | 16.11 | 21.14.140 |
| Melbourne | 4.2 | 7.2 | 10.9 | 14.11.95 |
Essendon win by 45 points
Goalkickers: Greg Parke 4, Peter Keenan 3, Stan Alves 2, Greg Wells 2, Denis Clark 1, John Clennett 1, John Tilbrook 1
Milestones:
First Game
Wayne Delmenico
Last Game
Laurie Queay
With their season all but mathematically over the Demons took a slight lead into the first break at Windy Hill before being destroyed in a second quarter avalanche. The run started at the three minute mark and in the next 20 minutes Essendon booted ten goals.
The rest of the day saw Melbourne break even but that one quarter had destroyed them. It was Essendon's highest scoring performance against Melbourne since the 1946 Grand Final but their first win in four in recent history.
Best were Keenan, Hardeman and Wells. Davis (knee) was replaced by Clark in the selected side. Collins (bruised hip) was replaced by Osborne and half-time and Queay by Leahy in the last quarter.
Regular runner Sam Allica was sick, replaced by Bernie Massey.
Reserves
Essendon 19.8 d. Melbourne 10.12
Goals - Harrold 4, Anderson 1, Dilnot 1, Gallus 1, McDonald 1, Ritterman 1, Williamson 1
Best - Walker, Anderson, Dillon
Under 19s
Melbourne 19.30 d. Essendon 12.7
Goals - McMullin 6, Giampaolo 4, Flower 3, Tesoriero 2, Curry 1, McIlvenna 1, Perrett 1, Slade 1
Best - Flower, Giampaolo, McMullin
Media
Age - 31/07/1972
Inside Football - 05/08/1972
Football Record R18 1972