Round 20, 1978
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 19 August
Venue: Windy Hill
Attendance: 11,872
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 6.3 | 11.10 | 13.14 | 19.16.130 |
| Melbourne | 7.2 | 10.3 | 15.7 | 21.10.136 |
Melbourne win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Robert Flower 4, Andrew Moir 4, Henry Coles 3, Chris Woodman 3, Tony Dullard 2, Ray Biffin 1, Gary Cooke 1, Greg Hutchison 1, Barry Norsworthy 1, Ken Roberts 1
Milestones:
Nil
A week after their season hit rock bottom with a 113 point loss to North Melbourne the Demons bounced back to score their first win since Round 7.
Early on it didn't look good, Essendon 5.1 to 1.1 in front at the 11 minute mark, but the Melbourne players didn't drop their heads and fought back to go into quarter time with a five point lead.
Robert Flower put in his nomination for Goal Of The Year during the second quarter when his mazy run from the half-back line wound up with him on his own in the goalsquare. Despite his heroics Essendon took the lead back going into half-time. The match stayed close for the rest of the day until the final siren sounded with the Dees a goal in front. After going through so much in the previous three months Jones wore an ear-to-ear grin during the singing of the theme song and was full of praise for his side, saying: “Not one player didn’t; give his all”.
Best were R. Flower, Wells and Baker. Dullard dislocated his kneecap.
Reserves
Essendon 22.18.150 d. Melbourne 13.11.89
Goals - Walters 4, Besanko 3, Maynard 2, Code 1, McKeon 1, O'Keefe 1, Seaton 1
Best - Giuleri, McKeon, Walters
Under 19s
Melbourne 19.9.123 d. Essendon 15.21.111
Goals - Angelis 4, Clark 4, Hayes 4, Bickford 2, Elshaug 2, Juliff 2, McGivern 1
Best - Hayes, Clark, Elshaug
Media
Canberra Times - 20/08/1978
Age - 21/08/1978
Football Record R21 1978