Round 21, 1992
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 8 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 25,508
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.4 | 8.4 | 11.10 | 13.16.94 |
| Essendon | 3.4 | 10.7 | 15.10 | 19.12.126 |
Essendon win by 32 points
Goalkickers: Allen Jakovich 4, Glenn Lovett 2, Garry Lyon 2, David Schwarz 2, Andy Lovell 1, Chris Sullivan 1, Todd Viney 1
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
First game
Darren Kowal
50 games
Andrew Obst
Two of the more disappointing sides of 1992 came together for a late-season dead rubber with only pride on the line. Melbourne had three consecutive wins, including beating then top of the table Collingwood a week earlier, while Essendon had won seven from eight before a humiliating 160 point loss to Hawthorn.
Essendon established a narrow lead at quarter time and gradually extended it throughout the day, with hero of the Collingwood victory Allen Jakovich kicking himself out of the game by only managing 4.9. A burst of seven goals in 12 minutes, including two from Glenn Lovett briefly had Melbourne 10 points ahead during the second quarter before Greg Anderson kicked three goals in three minutes to restore the lead.
Paul Salmon kicked six goals for the winners despite being moved between full-forward and full-back during the afternoon. He started as a loose player in defence as part of a Kevin Sheedy plan to flood the backline, and battled a groin strain during the day. The closest Melbourne got in the last quarter was 18 points after Chris Sullivan's fourth minute goal, before Salmon kicked two quick goals to make the result safe.
John Northey said "we hit a bit of a flat spot after half time" and admitted Essendon "outsmarted" his side.
Best were Lovell, G. Lovett and Robins. Andy Goodwin had a rib injury.
Video
Reserves (played Sunday 9 August at Carrara)
Melbourne 29.10.184 d. Brisbane 12.7.79
Goals - Bennett 11, Williams 6, Eishold 3, Grinter 2, Howat 2, Wearne 1, Healy 1, Burgmann 1, Hopgood 1, Nelson 1
Best - Kilmartin, Wearne, Bennett
Media
Age - 09/08/1992
Canberra Times - 09/08/1992
Canberra Times - 09/08/1992
Age - 10/08/1992
Football Record R22 1992