Round 8, 1959
Melbourne vs Essendon
Monday 15 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 52,880
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.1 | 8.7 | 11.12 | 19.15.129 |
| Essendon | 3.3 | 5.4 | 6.6 | 8.8.56 |
Melbourne win by 73 points
Goalkickers: Robert B Johnson 5, Geoff Tunbridge 5, Frank Adams 2, Ron Barassi 2, Clyde Laidlaw 2, Hassa Mann 2, Alan Rowarth 1
Milestones:
Nil
Though they were already firming as a top four certainty, the Demons chances of a top two finish relied on continuing to win - and they outplayed Essendon in nearly every facet of the game after quarter time to record a big win.
The Bombers had the edge in the first quarter, and they opened up an eight point lead in the second before the Demons used their superior strength to kick away. Opposed to a first year player Geoff Tunbridge helped himself to four of his five goals in the first half. It took a third opponent to finally quieten him down but Melbourne had too many matchwinners. THey kicked five goals to one in the last 13 minutes of the second quarter to take control.
From then the home side were tougher, quicker and forced Essendon's defence into a number of costly errors which led to goals. Up front they had a variety of avenues to goal, which contrasted well with Essendon's instance on bombing long to their full-forward at every opportunity.
Only two face saving goals at the end of the game stopped the Bombers from losing by more. Until then they had kicked 13.10 to 1.3 from late in the second term onwards.
The extra two days break helped Athol Webb win selection despite having injured himself tripping over and spraining his ankle while dancing the night of Melbourne's Round 7 win over South Melbourne.
Best were Bob Johnson, Adams and Tunbridge. Case was replaced by Thorogood and Barassi by Webb.
Seconds
Essendon 13.11 d. Melbourne 8.13
Goals - Brenchley 2, Gleeson 2, Wilkinson 2, Crompton 1, Stevens 1
Best - Gleeson, Brenchley, Kenneally
Thirds (played Saturday 13 June)
Essendon 3.16 d. Melbourne 4.8
Goals - J. Leahy 1, Rolfe 1, Bosch 1, Russell 1
Best - Weidlich, B. Leahy, Olsen
Media
Age - 10/06/1959
Age - 16/06/1959
Football Record 1959