Round 18, 1975
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 2 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 25,211
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 6.2 | 7.6 | 13.10 | 19.13.127 |
| Richmond | 1.5 | 5.10 | 10.14 | 12.18.90 |
Melbourne win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Stan Alves 5, Peter Keenan 4, Henry Coles 2, Carl Ditterich 2, Shane Fitzsimmons 2, Frank Giampaolo 2, Steven Smith 2
Milestones:
50 Games
Henry Coles (also with Collingwood)
High flying Richmond went into the match as favourites but Melbourne, still dreaming of sneaking into the five, upstaged them with a comfortable win.
Early signs were poor for the Tigers when ball magnet Bruce Monteath came off second best in a bumping duel with Stan Alves and was propelled into the MCG's iron fence, required 10 stitches.
Carl Ditterich, returning from six weeks on the sidelines with a leg injury, was the chief destroyer and helped steer the Demons to a 35 point lead after 25 minutes with two goals. It wasn't hard to see why Melbourne officials claimed that they would be in the five had he not missed 10 games during the season with injury or suspension.
The Tigers hit the lead at the 16 minute mark of the third quarter after four goals in seven minutes, but Steven Smith steadied for the Demons and they then added three more for the quarter to turn for home with a comfortable lead.
The Tigers were outmarked 86 to 40 and were beaten by a more enthusiastic and disciplined side who exercised better teamwork.
Bob Skilton had been reappointed as coach for a third year midweek and celebrated a victory that kept his side in the mix for that elusive finals appearance. They were still two games out of the race but where there was life there was hope.
Best were Ditterich, Alves and Wells. Clark (cramp) was replaced by Lyons in the last quarter. Baker was an unused reserve.
Reserves
Melbourne 14.10 d. Richmond 10.20
Goals - Smith 7, Sparks 2, Chamberlain 1, Molloy 1, Ough 1, Barham 1, Norris 1
Best - Hurst, Chamberlain, Ough
Under 19s
Melbourne 15.15 defeated Richmond 13.16
Goals - Withers 6, Campbell 1, Unknown 8
Media
Age - 04/08/1975
Football Record R19 1975