Round 18, 1979
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 4 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 25,367
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.5 | 8.6 | 14.7 | 21.8.134 |
| Essendon | 3.4 | 5.7 | 10.9 | 16.9.105 |
Melbourne win by 29 points
Goalkickers: Robert Walters 9, Steven Smith 4, Greg Wells 4, Glenn Elliott 1, Robert Flower 1, Greg Hutchison 1, Andrew Moir 1
Milestones:
150 Games
Glenn Elliott (also with St Kilda)
In the most remarkable turnaround in VFL/AFL history, the Demons managed a shock victory just a week after suffering the greatest hiding in VFL history the previous Saturday.
Carl Ditterich made six changes to the side that capitulated against Fitzroy, with himself and Robert Flower returning from injury. Despite the returns it was no surprise that finding somebody who thought the Demons could win was nearly impossible but a stunning nine goal career best performance from Robert Walters who came back into the side to play full forward earned them a comfortable shock victory.
Essendon went into the match contenders for the top five and left it humiliated, with coach Barry Davis unable to explain how side managed to lose by five goals to a team which been beaten by more than 30 a week before.
Steven Smith and Peter Hamilton dominated the ruck and both Greg Wells and Glenn Elliott were dominant in the centre but it was Walters - who had played back pocket in the reserves a week earlier - who did the rest with his fast leading and accurate kicking on route to 9.1 and the upset of the decade. Six of his goals came in the second quarter. Carl Ditterich credited a change of attitude amongst his players, and the side played with tenacity, pace and teamwork.
Best were Wells, G. Elliott and Walters. Cameron Clayton injured his hamstring and Robert Elliott suffered a corked thigh.
Reserves
Melbourne 14.20.104 d. Essendon 14.15.99
Goals - Bull 4, O'Donnell 4, Dullard 2, Elshaug 1, Flower 1, Gordon 1, Wallace 1
Best - Elliott, Elshaug, Gordon
Under 19s
Melbourne 17.21.123 d. Essendon 11.21.78
Goals - Sier 4, Bardoel 3, O'Brien 3, Boyle 2, Julliff 1, McCormack 1, McKissack 1, Richards 1, Vanderheyden 1
Best - Moncrieff, Logie, Denko
Media
Canberra Times - 05/08/1979
Age - 06/08/1979
Herald - 06/08/1979
Football Record R19 1979