Round 4, 1979
Melbourne vs Richmond
Wednesday 25 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 44,708
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.8 | 9.14 | 15.19 | 16.23.119 |
| Richmond | 3.6 | 10.12 | 11.14 | 15.19.109 |
Melbourne win by 10 points
Goalkickers: Phil Carman 5, Robert Flower 3, Robert Walters 2, John Dellamarta 1, Graham Hunnibell 1, Andrew Moir 1, Barry Norsworthy 1, Greg Wells 1, Don Whitford 1
Milestones:
MFC debut
John Dellamarta
Don Whitford
Last game
Kelvin Richards
The reigning wooden spooners stamped themselves as early improvers with a gutsy win over the much fancied Tigers. Star recruit Carman was dominant up forward and Carl Ditterich playing a match winning role in the ruck ably assisted by the dominant Robert Flower on a wing.
The Demons could have run away with the match they were playing so well, despite being 2-1 outsiders, but Richmond did well to stick with them until the last quarter of a fiery game marred by several melees.
Best were Flower, Wells and Ditterich. Richards injured his knee and never played senior football again. Henry Coles also injured his knee. Peter Hamilton and Mark Lee were reported for striking each other during the third quarter. Lee grabbed Hamilton's jumper as he ran past, Hamilton swung his arm to to try and break the tackle, then the players stood toe-to-toe and traded blows. Both were suspended for two weeks.
Reserves
Richmond 14.21.105 d. Melbourne 11.17.83
Goals - O'Donnell 4, Byrne 2, Code 2, Fitzsimmons 1, Lockwood 1, Seaton 1
Best - Byrne, O'Keefe, O'Donnell
Under 19s
Richmond 23.10.148 d. Melbourne 17.13.115
Goals - Bardoel 4, Thorne 4, Denko 3, Elshaug 2, Maynard 2, Burn 1, Jullief 1
Best - Todd, O'Brien, Bardoel
Notes
Richards is also reported as injuring an ankle.
Video
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Tribunal
Media
Sun - 26/04/1979
Football Record R5 1979