Round 17, 1996
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Friday 26 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 20,955
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.2 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 11.4.70 |
| North Melbourne | 7.3 | 13.9 | 20.12 | 28.15.183 |
North Melbourne win by 113 points
Goalkickers: Jeff Farmer 3, Darren O'Brien 2, Jim Stynes 2, Paul Hopgood 1, Anthony Ingerson 1, Andrew Leoncelli 1, Stephen Tingay 1
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
Last Game
Jeff Hilton
First Goal
Andrew Leoncelli (2nd game)
As news of a potential Melbourne/Hawthorn merger broke, the Cheer Squad was banned by the club from displaying their run through reading "We were threatened, we were told, no talk of mergers with the brown and gold" and the team ran onto the ground without a banner. The offending message was later displayed in the Southern Stand.
Back on field Melbourne were not humiliated in the first quarter, and kicked two of the first three goals, but after conceding seven goals it became clear that they were going to be unable to go with the Roos for four quarters - especially with superstar forward Wayne Carey dominating at centre half-forward. Carey kicked 11.2 from centre half-forward in the best performance of his career as North inflicted the equal 8th highest score Melbourne has ever conceded.
Shaun Smith had started on The King after keeping Gary Ablett quiet the week before but lightning failed to strike twice and Carey destroyed him. David Neitz was thrown to the North champ but couldn't curb his dominance.
Best were Stynes, O'Brien and Clarkson
Reserves
North Melbourne 14.11.95 d. Melbourne 12.10.82
Goals - Corrigan 3, McDonald 2, Davidson 1, Doyle 1, S. Febey 1, Sampson 1, Smith 1, A. Yze 1, D. Yze 1
Best - Norman, Doyle, Corrigan
Lists
Highest Score Conceded
100 point losses
Video
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Media
Age - 26/07/1996
Age - 26/07/1996
Football Record R18 1996
Herald Sun - 24/08/2002