Round 6, 1997
St. Kilda vs Melbourne
Sunday 4 May
Venue: Waverley
Attendance: 21,104
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| St. Kilda | 6.5 | 9.8 | 14.12 | 17.19.121 |
| Melbourne | 0.3 | 2.7 | 4.9 | 4.11.35 |
St. Kilda win by 86 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 2, Robert Pyman 2
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
First Game
Alistair Nicholson
Last Game
Nick Pesch
On a wet day at Waverley, the Saints kicked five goals before Melbourne got their first. Seven goals down at half time to the second bottom side, new president Joseph Gutnick did a radio interview where he declared that there would be changes to come at the club. He had reportedly demanded board members sack Balme at half time, before doing his interview.
Robert Harvey tagged Jim Stynes out of the game and got 25 possessions of his own, and St Kilda players were winners right around the ground as Melbourne struggled desperately to kick four goals for the day.
The President refused to give his unqualified support to Balme as coach, and for the first time Balme's position came into question. In later interviews he was quoted as saying "no one is safe". Hassa Mann retired during the next week and was replaced as CEO by Cameron Schwab. During the following week Schwab and Garry Lyon met with Gutnick to express their displeasure at the incident.
Asked how he was feeling after the game Balme said he was "always very optimistic and positive about footy"
Best were Viney, Neitz and Matthew Febey. David Neitz and Todd Viney were each fined their match payment for wrestling. Andrew Obst was reported for striking but found not guilty.
Video
Reserves
St Kilda 15.21.111 d. Melbourne 4.7.31
Goals - Newton 1, Hardie 1, Lamprill 1, Goodale 1
Best - Winterton, Ward, De Crespigny
Lists
Tribunal
Media
Age - 04/05/1997
Age - 04/05/1997
Football Record R7 1997