Round 18, 1978
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 5 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 12,364
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.6 | 6.10 | 11.14 | 13.17.95 |
| Geelong | 5.4 | 7.12 | 10.14 | 14.17.101 |
Geelong win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Ray Biffin 3, Ken Roberts 3, Barry Denny 2, Tony Dullard 2, Greg Hutchison 1, Andrew Moir 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
100 Games
Shane Grambeau (also with St. Kilda)
Entering the match with a ten game losing streak behind them the Demons were giving little chance of upsetting a Geelong side who were still an outside chance at making the final five. When the two teams went into quarter time with Geelong nearly three goals in front an upset looked even more unlikely.
Their last win had come against the Cats in Round 7 but since then their losing margins had averaged ten goals and the Demons were in total disarray. Despite the brilliance of Cat Peter Doyle who returned from a serious knee injury for his first game in two years and dominated Greg Wells the Demons managed to strike back and take a lead into three quarter time.
Melbourne kicked 5.4 in the third term to lead by a single goal, and with Tom Flower eclipsing prolific kick getter Robert Neal and forcing him off the ground the tiny MCG crowd stirred at the prospect of an upset victory to the home side.
Unfortunately the for Demons, Neal returned off the bench at just the wrong time. With his side a point behind at the 24 minute mark he stormed off the interchange to receive a ball over the top to kick a goal which put the Cats back in front and won them the game.
Best were Baker, T. Flower and Denny. Shane Grambeau bruised his shoulder.
Reserves
Geelong 24.25.169 d. Melbourne 10.6.66
Goals - Mills 3, Woodman 2, Code 1, Maynard 1, Thompson 1, Tippett 1, Whitford 1
Best - Rea, Wallace, Marchant
Reports - Tippett (striking)
Under 19s
Geelong 24.11.155 d. Melbourne 12.13.85
Goals - Bickford 2, Boccabella 2, Clark 2, Elshaug 2, Barkley 1, Cochrane 1, McLean 1, Quine 1
Best - McLean, Elshaug, Mehrten
Media
Age - 07/08/1978
Football Record R19 1978