Round 17, 1977
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 23 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 15,896
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 6.4 | 8.9 | 13.12 | 15.18.108 |
| Geelong | 5.5 | 12.8 | 15.12 | 20.14.134 |
Geelong win by 26 points
Goalkickers: Garry Baker 4, Robert Flower 3, Henry Coles 2, Allan Davis 2, Ross Brewer 1, Barry Norsworthy 1, Steven Smith 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
Nil
The visitors gave Melbourne a three goal start in a high scoring, entertaining first quarter before booting seven goals to two in the second to take control. The story of Melbourne's season continued with wasteful kicking costing them, 2.5 in the second quarter coming in the face of 7.3 from the Cats.
The third quarter saw Geelong extend their lead to as far as 31 points, but Melbourne drew back to two goals behind at the last change. Once again they were wasteful with 2.6 to 5.2 and the Cats, also well out of the finals race, went on to win comfortably.
Best were Baker, Wells and R. Flower. Fowler (bruised thigh) was replaced by Carroll in the second quarter and Davis was replaced by Mark Alves in the final term.
Reserves
Melbourne 21.14 d. Geelong 14.18
Goals - Baldwin 6, Johnston 5, Sparks 3, Cumming 2, Walters 2, Byrne 1, Cook 1, Hayes 1
Best - Johnston, Baldwin, Keays
Under 19s
Geelong 11.8.74 d. Melbourne 8.14.62
Media
Age - 25/07/1977
Football Record R18 1977