Round 19, 1989
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Saturday 12 August
Venue: Waverley
Attendance: 28,117
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 0.3 | 1.5 | 6.8 | 9.9.63 |
| Hawthorn | 3.2 | 6.9 | 8.11 | 12.15.87 |
Hawthorn win by 24 points
Goalkickers: Tony Campbell 3, Sean Wight 2, Darren Bennett 1, Luke Beveridge 1, Jim Stynes 1, Graeme Yeats 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Steven Febey
Milestones:
Nil
Desperate to get back into winning form after two losses in a row Melbourne were dealt a blow at Thursday night training with injuries to Todd Viney (hamstring), Garry Lyon (groin) and Ricky Jackson (back). They joined Stephen Newport (knee) and Simon Eishold (ankle) as the week's training casualties.
Despite having 16 players, including up to eight automatic selections, injured the Demons had no excuse for the putrid first half performance which they served up against the Hawks.
One goal in the first two quarters was an embarassment, but a second half revival made a contest of the match. Tony Campbell went forward and kicked two goals, while Graeme Yeats added another.
Brian Wilson also helped spark the comeback, but when he was knocked out in a collision it seemed to put the brakes on the Demons.
Ten minutes into the last quarter they were within 10 points but when Jason Dunstall - who had been reasonably well held by Rod Grinter all day - broke free to kick his fifth and seal the deal. Grinter had forced Dunstall wide and up the ground all day but the Hawk spearhead found it easy to dish off to his teammates.
Their third loss in a row dropped the Demons to fourth. Three games inside the finals they were still nearly certain to play in September but once again a last season dip had cost them a double chance. John Northey said "We let ourselves down before half-time and I don't know if the players really believed in themselves that they were perhaps good enough to do it".
Best were Brett Lovett, Jim Stynes and Glenn Lovett. Brian Wilson suffered a concussion after colliding with Sean Wight.
Video
Reserves
Hawthorn 10.13.73 d. Melbourne 5.11.41
Goals - Howat 2, Ford 1, Power 1, Putamorsi 1
Best - Lovell, Bailey, Ford
Under 19s
Melbourne 11.12.78 defeated Collingwood 10.7.67
Goals - Siderellis 3, Lamb 2, Keipert 2, Turner 2, Sullivan 1, Heaver 1
Best - Keipert, Keogh, Lamb
Media
Age - 11/08/1989, 14/08/1989
Canberra Times - 12/08/1989
Inside Football - 16/08/1989
Football Record R20 1989