Round 8, 1958
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 31 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 35,352
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.7 | 7.12 | 10.15 | 12.18.90 |
| Richmond | 0.2 | 2.4 | 9.5 | 12.11.83 |
Melbourne win by 7 points
Goalkickers: Ron Barassi 4, Athol Webb 3, Robert B Johnson 2, Frank Adams 1, Ian McLean 1, Ian Ridley 1
Milestones:
Nil
Melbourne continued their good start to the season with a battling win over Richmond, but unlike their win over Footscray a week earlier they were forced to withstand a last quarter comeback instead of launching one.
The Demons regained top spot, but it took more effort than they should have had to put in against one of the worst sides in the competition. They had been the vastly superior team in the first half, opening up a six goal lead despite Bob Johnson kicking the last two goals of the half, but the Tigers dramatically reshuffled their lineup in the second half and it turned the game on its head. Introducing longer kicking to their game paid dividends and the Tigers booted seven goals for the term.
As Melbourne lost their dominance in the ruck the lead was whittled back to five points in the last term but Richmond could never get their nose in front and Melbourne held on to take the points and top spot on the league ladder. Despite having the advantage for the last 20 minutes the Tigers could only manage 2.2. Some claimed they should have had another goal but were robbed by a poor umpiring decision - but they also missed easy shots when the game was on the line.
The Demons held on to win, but Norm Smith said he was far from satisfied with his team's form.
Best were Barassi, McLean and L. Mithen. Marquis (knee) was replaced by Fenton-Smith in the second quarter and Ridley by Rowarth in the last.
Seconds
Melbourne 9.13 d. Richmond 8.18
Goals - Wilkinson 3, Kerr 2, Crompton 1, Davis 1, K. Mithen 1, Vale 1
Best - Turner, Crompton, Dunsford
Thirds
Richmond 12.10 d. Melbourne 4.13
Goals - Campbell 3, Butler 1
Best - Kerley, Buswell, Avery
Media
Age - 02/06/1958
Football Record R9 1958