Round 21, 1971
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 21 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 37,732
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 7.4 | 12.8 | 13.9 | 15.12.102 |
| Richmond | 4.1 | 9.4 | 14.9 | 19.9.123 |
Richmond win by 21 points
Goalkickers: Ray Carr 5, Peter Keenan 4, Paul Callery 2, Mike Collins 1, John Gallus 1, Peter Sinclair 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
First Game
Peter Williamson
First Goal
Mike Collins (3rd game)
A season which had promised so much had been snuffed out by St Kilda a week earlier, and despite a brave performance against the lacklustre future finalists Melbourne crashed to another defeat. The Tigers barely got out of second gear in easing to a simple win. The Demons' only weapon was pace, and that was unable to carry them over the line. They'd gone onto the ground 10 minutes before Richmond to become accustomed with the conditions, and it helped them early, until Richmond also became comfortable.
Ray Carr, recalled after booting 12 in the reserves a week before, was his side's main focal point but it was Peter Keenan who went forward and helped the Demons to a 22 point lead at the long break with a four goal second quarter.
A five goal to one third quarter put the Tigers back in charge and once Keenan was burnt out from his second quarter heroics the Richmond big men found him easy to control for the rest of the day.
Best were Callery, Sullivan and Keenan. Collins suffered strained knee ligaments and was replaced by Townsend in the last quarter. Tilbrook suffered a corked thigh and Sinclair a suspected broken bone in his hand. Peter Williamson was an unused reserve.
Reserves
Richmond 16.16 d. Melbourne 14.9
Goals - Honey 4, Brewer 2, Cumming 2, H. Ritterman 1, McSpeerin 1, Burgmann 1, Lakes 1, Clark 1, Queay 1
Best - Clark, Hodges, Rhoden
Under 19s
Richmond 19.9 d. Melbourne 13.8
Media
Age - 23/08/1971
Inside Football - 28/08/1971