Round 7, 1973
Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Saturday 19 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 16,075
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.1 | 9.2 | 11.5 | 17.10.112 |
| South Melbourne | 3.2 | 6.4 | 9.9 | 12.11.83 |
Melbourne win by 29 points
Goalkickers: Ray Biffin 4, Stan Alves 2, Paul Callery 2, Peter Keenan 2, Shane McSpeerin 2, Graham Molloy 2, Greg Parke 2, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
Nil
Despite coming off two losses the Demons were still heavy favourites to beat the winless Swans. It wasn't until the last quarter, though, that they manged to shake the determined South side, kicking six goals to win.
Ian Ridley described the match as a "rotten game of football", and his side's worst effort in years. Even the winning supporters would have had a hard time arguing with him, but at least they were back in the race for finals football.
Greg Parke was best on ground, along with Carl Ditterich and Greg Wells. McSpeerin (corked thigh) was replaced by Osborne at three-quarter time, Brewer (corked thigh) was replaced by Delmenico during the last quarter. Bourke had a thigh injury and Ditterich a bruised hand.
Reserves
Melbourne 22.7 d. South Melbourne 16.11
Goals - Swann 4, Ritterman 3, Dullard 3, Williamson 3, Macdonald 3, Collins 2, Cummings 2, Tesoriero 1, Fowler 1
Best - Swann, Ritterman, Williamson
Under 19s
Melbourne 11.13 d. South Melbourne 8.21
Goals - McNaught 3, Chamberlain 2, McMullin 2, Arundale 1, Moorhouse 1, Reed 1, Slade 1
Best - Ahern, Doran, Power
Media
Age - 20/05/1973
Canberra Times - 21/05/1973
Age - 21/05/1973
Football Record R8 1973