Round 8, 1982
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 15 May
Venue: Waverley
Attendance: 25,856
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 3.3 | 7.11 | 9.16 | 13.21.99 |
| Melbourne | 7.4 | 10.7 | 20.12 | 25.14.164 |
Melbourne win by 65 points
Goalkickers: Mark Jackson 6, Gerard Healy 4, Alan Johnson 3, Stephen McCarthy 3, Kelly O'Donnell 3, Adrian Battiston 2, Robert Flower 2, Brent Crosswell 1, Roger Ellingworth 1
Milestones:
First goal
Stephen McCarthy (2nd game)
Statistical categories led:
Highest score at Waverley
Highest score in Round 8
After four straight losses, the Demons shocked premiership contenders Fitzroy with a seven goal first quarter. They had suffered honourable losses to the top three sides in consecutive weeks, and by unleashing their frustrations on the Lions they deliverd a performance to make the rest of the league sit up and take notice. It was only the third win for Ron Barassi from 30 games in charge, but the first time his side looked like they'd made significant improvement.
The Lions were still in touch at half-time, but their opponents delivered a third quarter worthy of any VFL team that year. And one which had fans asking why they couldn't see that sort of everything every week - or at least a few times a year. 10 goals to two gave them a 62 point lead at the last change. They coasted home, barely adding to the margin in the final term.
Best on ground Adrian Battiston, who had been driven into the Waverley turf multiple times that day, summed up the feeling of victory by saying "It hurts a lot less when you win". O'Donnell and Johnson were also amongst the best. McLean replaced Giles (knee) in the selected side. Robert Flower suffered a corked thigh.
After what would remain Melbourne's highest ever score at Waverley Ron Barassi said "I am a very happy man".
Reserves
Melbourne 12.12 d. Fitzroy 11.15
Goals - McGlashan 4, Catoggio 2, Castles 1, Clayton 1, Elshaug 1, Seddon 1, Sutcliffe 1, Young 1
Best - Lawson, Tossol, McGlashan
Under 19s
Melbourne 22.13.145 d. Fitzroy 13.11.89
Goals - Bergman 6, Fidge 4, Rugolo 4, Philby 2, Howard 2, Dawson 1, Fisher 1, R. Howard 1, McDonald 1
Best - Connolly, Withers, Howard
Media
Canberra Times - 16/05/1982
Age - 17/05/1982
Football Record R9 1982