Round 18, 1970
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 1 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 16,591
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.1 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 8.13.61 |
| Footscray | 1.6 | 2.11 | 7.13 | 10.15.75 |
Footscray win by 14 points
Goalkickers: Barry Bourke 2, Peter Keenan 2, John Townsend 2, Ross Dillon 1, Robert McKenzie 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Danny Jennings
With the Dogs still contending for a spot in the four better could have been expected from at least one of the sides appearing at the MCG, but neither team looked worthy of September action based on what they served up.
After a poor standard first quarter the Demons lost, but they conceded the lead after failing to kick a goal in the second term. It didn't help Ross Dillon missed a set-shot from 15 yards out directly in front, but he wasn't alone as Footscray's Les Bartlett did exactly the same thing at the other end - part of the Dogs 1.5 for the quarter which took their half-time score to 2.11.
Four goals to one in the first ten minutes of the third quarter gave the Dogs a lead they never gave up and while they narrowly won the last quarter Melbourne never troubled their visitors again.
The loss left the Demons second last, two games in front of North Melbourne. The result all but assured them of surviving without another spoon, but after the impressive start to the year that they'd put together a rise of just one place would be considered a horrific failure.
Best were Davis, Bourke and Molloy. Jennings was replaced by Sinclair in the last quarter after a bruised thigh. Peter Weekes was an unused reserve. Dillon suffered a bruised thigh.
It was Footscray's first win over Melbourne at the MCG since 1965.
Reserves
Melbourne 16.20 d. Footscray 16.13
Goals - Carr 5, Biffin 3, Callery 3, Clarke 1, Clarke 1, Colcott 1, Lakes 1, Theodore 1
Best - Hodges, Rollinson, Rhoden
Under 19s
Footscray 11.18 d. Melbourne 9.7
Goals - Cunningham 2, Taylor 2, Tepper 2, Conley 1, Lierich 1, Martin 1
Best - Tassell, Cunningham, Kerley
Media
Age - 03/08/1970
Football Record R19 1970