Round 22, 1981
Hawthorn vs Melbourne
Saturday 29 August
Venue: Princes Park
Attendance: 7,922
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Hawthorn | 5.5 | 6.9 | 10.14 | 15.20.110 |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 8.9.57 |
Hawthorn win by 53 points
Goalkickers: Tony Elshaug 2, Mark Jackson 2, Kelly O'Donnell 2, Cameron Clayton 1, Michael Seddon 1
Milestones:
50th Game
Gerard Healy
100th Game
Cameron Clayton (also with Richmond)
Last Game
Gary Hardeman
Ian Todd
John Tossol
With one last chance to add a second win to their tally for season 1981, Melbourne had to beat a side whose finals chance depended on a victory.
Peter Keenan was a late withdrawal with an ankle injury, but Ron Barassi clearly wasn't settling on 12th and last. Several times his eruptions in the coaches box could be overhead from several rooms away.
Stephen Smith curbed the influence of Leigh Matthews, but he was one of few winners on the day.
When news came through that Fitzroy had held Collingwood to 1.3 to three-quarter time there was never any doubt that the Hawks were going to hold onto their nerve, and their six goal lead, against the worst Demons side since the winless post-WW1 1919 team.
It was the famous day when Kelvin Moore told Mark Jackson that he wouldn't be a full-forward as long as his "arse pointed to the ground" and the loose cannon Melbourne forward responded with a handstand.
After the match Barassi said "In my first year Melbourne in 1953 we finished second last. I have never been below sixth place apart from that. We start preparing for 1982 tomorrow with a match committee meeting. Then, after the players will have a five-week break, we will start a program designed to strengthen their weaknesses".
Best were Smith, Gaunt and O'Donnell. Keenan (ankle) was replaced in the selected side by Todd.
Reserves
Hawthorn 16.21.127 d. Melbourne 9.13.67
Goals - Byrne 3, Zantuck 2, Bickford 1, Braddy 1, Judd 1, Korn 1
Best - Bell, Maynard, Whitford
Under 19s
Hawthorn 13.18.96 d. Melbourne 12.11.83
Goals - Cordner 5, Battiston 1, Connolly 1, Fidge 1, Fisher 1, McCarthy 1, O'Sullivan 1, Whitworth 1
Best - Dawson, Withers, Tossol
Media
Canberra Times - 30/08/1981
Age - 31/08/1981
Football Record 1981 Finals