Round 21, 1998
Melbourne vs Sydney
Monday 24 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 52,614
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 6.6 | 11.8 | 17.12.114 |
| Sydney | 2.4 | 4.5 | 6.7 | 12.11.83 |
Melbourne win by 31 points
Goalkickers: Jeff Farmer 4, David Neitz 3, Garry Lyon 2, Anthony McDonald 2, Shane Woewodin 2, Brent Grgic 1, Guy Rigoni 1, Russell Robertson 1, Jeff White 1
Brownlow votes:
3 - Shane Woewodin
2 - Matthew Febey
1 - Jeff White
Best and Fairest
39 - Anthony Ingerson
37 - Matthew Febey
35 - Adem Yze
35 - Jeff White
15 - Jamie Shanahan
Milestones:
Nil
On the league's solitary Monday night fixture for the season, Melbourne all but booked themselves a finals berth for the first time since 1994 by beating the high flying Swans.
After two quarters of tough, hard football the Demons took a 13 point lead into the break. Five goals to two busted the game open in the third term.
Despite being well held by Jamie Shanahan Tony Lockett kicked his 100th goal for the year, causing the game to be held up for seven minutes just before three-quarter time.
Sydney made a charge at the start of the last term, and the margin was reduced to 19 points after two Wayne Schwass goals. Neitz and Robertson steadied the ship with goals before Jeff Farmer delivered two pieces of magic to seal the game. First he laid off a miracle handball for Garry Lyon to goal, then snapped one from the next foray forward.
Jeff White and Jim Stynes were comprehensive winners in the centre, and Farmer gave his opponent a torrid time.
Lists
100th goal against
Reserves
Melbourne 15.17.107 d. Sydney 15.13.103
Best - Nettelbeck, Beams, Nicholson
Goals - Beams 4, Nettelbeck 3, Johnstone 2, Cann 2, Smith 2, Smoker 2
Media
Illawarra Mercury - 24/08/1998
Age - 25/08/1998
Football Record R22 1998