Round 2, 1990
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 7 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 29,024
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.9 | 7.11 | 11.14 | 18.20.128 |
| Geelong | 5.3 | 10.5 | 12.10 | 13.13.91 |
Melbourne win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Darren Bennett 8, Jim Stynes 3, Steven O'Dwyer 2, Brian Wilson 2, Steven Clark 1, Andy Lovell 1, Garry Lyon 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Jim Stynes
2 - Brett Lovett
1 - Darren Bennett
Milestones:
Nil
Geelong made eight changes from the team that lost the Grand Final Replay by 115 points in round one, amongst them the injured Gary Ablett, but were much improved and seriously troubled the Demons for three quarters.
Strong defence by Graeme Yeats was the only thing keeping Melbourne in the game as Geelong opened a 20 point lead at the 28 minute mark of the third quarter. Then a dropped mark by defender Stephen Hocking initiated disaster, combining with poor disposal in the backline to allow Melbourne three goals in the last five minutes before the final break. Geelong's last goal before the blitz came with an assist from an umpire who got in the way of Rod Grinter attempting to tackle Trevor Poole.
With Jim Stynes and Steve O'Dwyer running riot in the last quarter Geelong were swamped, leaving Melbourne undefeated. Geelong had faded out the previous week - kicking just one of the last 19 goals in their loss to Hawthorn, and on this day they only managed one of the last 11.
Darren Bennett was also instrumental in the victory, kicking four of his eight goals in the last quarter to take his season tally to 16. It was the biggest haul by a Demon against Geelong since 1973, giving Melbourne fans hope that their side had finally discovered the dominant full-forward that they had been looking for since the 1960s.
Best were Yeats, Stynes and B. Lovett. Sean Wight and Trevor Spencer both tore anterior cruciate ligaments, resulting in knee reconstructions and the end of their 1990 season. Garry Lyon bruised his hip.
John Northey said "I was happy with the way we persevered, and at the 25-minute mark of the third quarter I felt we began to get on top."
Video
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Reserves
Melbourne 24.13.157 d. Geelong 20.6.126
Goals - Farrell 5, Heaver 2, Morey 2, Campbell 1, J. Viney 1, Howat 1, Keogh 1, Cameron 1, Solyom 1, Ford 1
Best - Hughes, Campbell, J. Viney
Under 19s
Melbourne 15.9.99 d. Fitzroy 6.7.43
Goals - McCarthy 3, Siderellis 3, Schwarz 3, Fanning 2, Sullivan 1, Hopgood 1, Moreland 1, Goonewardene 1
Best - Stroud, Schwarz, Goldberg
Media
Canberra Times - 08/04/1990
Age - 08/04/1990
Football Record R3 1990