Round 18, 1997
Melbourne vs Sydney
Saturday 2 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 26,901
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.2 | 4.5 | 6.7 | 7.11.53 |
| Sydney | 10.5 | 14.11 | 21.16 | 25.19.169 |
Sydney win by 116 points
Goalkickers: David Schwarz 3, Sean Charles 1, Brent Grgic 1, Brett Lovett 1, Todd Viney 1
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
100 Games
Marcus Seecamp (also with Fitzroy)
Statistical categories led:
Biggest loss in Round 18
The Demons were never in the hunt after a blistering opening by Sydney. The Swans were playing their first game on the MCG since losing the 1996 Grand Final, but were untroubled. By the time they kicked their sixth goal at the ten minute mark the Demons had registered just nine possessions in total, and the day didn't get much better. They managed to stem the bleeding in the second quarter, but were blown away by seven goals to two in the third.
Almost a hundred points behind at the last change they were lucky to avoid an even bigger humiliation.
Shaun Smith was knocked out by a heavy bump from Tony Lockett early in the third term. Lockett was cited on video evidence and received a two match ban. Swan Dale Lewis was also reported.
Amongst the best were Neitz, Hopgood and Brett Lovett.
Reserves
Sydney 21.13.139 d. Melbourne 9.9.63
Goals - Gardiner 3, Bassett 2, Lamaro 2, Hardie 1, Robertson 1
Best - Robertson, Bassett, Lamprill
Lists
100 point losses
Media
Age - 03/08/1997
Sun-Herald - 03/08/1997
Sydney Morning Herald - 04/08/1997
Football Record R19 1997