Round 7, 1991
Melbourne vs Brisbane Bears
Saturday 4 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 14,722
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.7 | 8.8 | 12.13 | 18.18.126 |
| Brisbane Bears | 2.4 | 10.7 | 14.9 | 17.11.113 |
Melbourne win by 13 points
Goalkickers: Darren Bennett 5, Darren Cuthbertson 5, Ricky Jackson 3, Rod Owen 2, Luke Beveridge 1, Jim Stynes 1, Todd Viney 1
Brownlow Votes:
2 - Jim Stynes
Milestones:
Nil
Melbourne started red hot favourites after five consecutive wins where they kicked big scores, but in front of a paltry crowd at the MCG they were given a shock by the winless Bears who led for most of the match before being run over by the Demons.
It had been a disappointing game and the two teams had hardly put on a skills clinic, but Melbourne eked out a 21 point lead in the second quarter after a Todd Viney snap. Cuthbertson had kicked two that quarter with his only touches and Darren Bennett had been wasteful by only converting one second term opportunity.
Scott McIvor's introduction off the bench turned the game on its head and by half-time the Bears were 11 points in front. McIvor curbed the dominance of Kevin Dyson and Hardie was playing so brilliantly on the wing that even Cuthbertson was thrown onto him at one point in a futile attempt to curb his influence.
Three goals in eight minutes from Bennett, who finally found his accuracy, put the Demons back in front at the 20 minute mark of the third quarter but once again they dropped their guard in the final few minutes of the term and allowed the Bears to pounce again. They took a nine point lead of their own into the last break and kicked the first two goals of the last time within a minute.
Just when it looked like the Bears had done enough to spring a massive upset five goals in the last eight minutes got the Demons over the line, including three to Darren Cuthbertson. Melbourne fans had already started leaving when the Bears took a 19 point lead at the 19 minute mark of the last quarter, but a controversial free kick to Cuthbertson started the comeback. Ricky Jackson kicked a goal from the boundary line to put the Demons in front at the 19 minute mark and they were not headed again.
"We were certainly very, very lucky" said John Northey. Brad Hardie had beaten six opponents on a wing in a masterful display but he wasn't alone in falling victim to fatigue towards the end of the match.
Best were J. Stynes, T. Viney and B. Lovett
Reserves
Brisbane 19.13.127 d. Melbourne 16.19.115
Goals - Jakovich 6, Schwarz 2, Sullivan 2, Yeats 1, Bryce 1, Heaver 1, Robins 1, B. Stynes 1, Stroud 1
Best - Schwarz, Bryce, Yeats
Under 19s
Collingwood 15.10.100 d. Melbourne 12.18.90
Goals - Merritt 3, Wilkins 2, Hopgood 2, Lamb 2, Woodland 1, Burgmann 1, Neitz 1
Best - W. Lemon, Burgmann, Woodland
Media
Canberra Times - 05/05/1991
Age - 05/05/1991
Age - 06/05/1991