Round 19, 1980
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Saturday 9 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 15,457
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 9.10.64 |
| Hawthorn | 8.9 | 13.18 | 16.21 | 19.27.141 |
Hawthorn win by 77 points
Goalkickers: Kelly O'Donnell 2, Steven Smith 2, Garry Baker 1, Michael Byrne 1, Laurie Fowler 1, Andrew Moir 1, Phil Pinnell 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Graham Hunnibell
Statistical categories led:
Most frees for in a game: Laurie Fowler (11)
Round 19 saw a return to the MCG, but it was an unhappy homecoming. Despite Laurie Fowler setting a club record by receiving 11 free kicks, a rampant Hawthorn kicked 8.9 in the first quarter and won by 77. The margin was up to 91 at the last change and only six face-savings goals in the last quarter when the Hawks had taken their foot off the pedal saved a record breaking disaster.
Many fans didn’t stick around to see the comeback. A few stormed out in disgust at the 50 point quarter time deficit, while some who remained to the end only did so to wait outside the rooms and hurl abuse at coaches and players.
A defeated Ditterich spoke of disappointment with the club’s predicament. He described it as: “It was pathetic, real Under 19s standard”, saying: “Some of our players just pulled out. They didn’t put their bodies in because they were afraid. I just can’t put up with it. If they don’t go in hard enough, if they don’t tackle to my instructions then they don’t play”. He only had three weeks left to influence team selection but also had to admit a lack of players pushing for a promotion from the Seconds. He also cost the club another $500 fine for complaining about umpires.
Best were Smith, Fowler and Hutchison. Robert Elliott was replaced in the selected side by Graham Hunnibell due to illness. Brent Crosswell suffered a thigh injury.
Video
Reserves
Hawthorn 20.14.134 d. Melbourne 16.16.112
Goals - Boyle 3, Dullard 3, Seddon 3, Seaton 2, Bunn 1, Folan 1, O'Brien 1, Walters 1, Woodman 1
Best - O'Brien, Woodman, B. Elliott
Under 19s
Melbourne 18.24.132 d. Hawthorn 10.17.77
Goals - Battiston 3, Bell 3, Sier 3, Fanning 2, Kelly 2, McCarthy 2, Ford 1, Osiurak 1, Tossol 1
Best - McKissack, Battiston, Sier
Media
Canberra Times - 10/08/1980
Age - 11/08/1980
Football Record R20 1980
Inside Football - 21/08/1980