Round 9, 1972
Melbourne vs St. Kilda
Saturday 27 May
Venue: Waverley
Attendance: 23,516
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 5.6.36 |
| St. Kilda | 2.6 | 4.9 | 8.14 | 9.19.73 |
St. Kilda win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Gary Hardeman 2, Graham Molloy 1, John Townsend 1, Greg Wells 1
Milestones:
First Game
Peter Dilnot
150 Games
John Townsend
50 Games
Greg Wells
After getting back on track with a win against the bottom of the ladder Cats a week earlier Ian Ridley gave his side a rare easy night on the track, but no matter what the Demons did at VFL Park they couldn't find a winner. Even on a wide ground that should have suited their style of play.
John Townsend saw his 150th game ruined by a hamstring injury in the opening minutes and the Saints were so dominant that Melbourne couldn't put a goal on the board from five minutes into the 1st quarter until two minutes into the last.
St. Kilda won every aspect of the game and nobody could stop Glenn Elliot who was best-on-ground. John Clennett and Peter Keenan tried hard in the ruck but Carl Ditterich was too good, and most of the time his taps were finding centreman Travis Payze who was clearing the ball at will. Ray Biffin was reported for charging Payze in the third quarter.
Bourke, Sullivan and Callery were named the Demons best, but the score flattered a disappointing side. Townsend (hamstring) was replaced by Dilnot during the first quarter and Walker (bruised thigh) by Kerley during the third quarter.
Ian Ridley took the unusual statement of issuing a written statement after the match instead of answering questions from journalists. It was speculated that the reason he wrote instead of spoke was to avoid a fine for criticising umpires. The VFL had warned all league coaches after Fitzroy coach Graham Donaldson had unleashed a spray about the men in white a fortnight before.
Reserves
Melbourne 12.11.94 d. St Kilda 2.3.15
Goals - Burgmann 5, Gallus 2, Ritterman 2, Brewer 1, Carr 1, Clarke 1
Best - Burgmann, Hodges, Brewer
Under 19s
Melbourne 9.19 d. St. Kilda 7.17
Goals - Curry 2, Tesoriero 2, Williamson 2, Giampaolo 1, McGuinness 1, Watts 1
Best - McGuinness, Boyle, McMullin
Media
Age - 29/05/1972
Age - 30/05/1972
Inside Football - 03/06/1972
Football Record R10 1972