Round 9, 2000
Melbourne vs Essendon
Sunday 7 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 62,606
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.6 | 5.11 | 9.14 | 13.15.93 |
| Essendon | 3.3 | 8.5 | 12.11 | 15.16.106 |
Essendon win by 13 points
Goalkickers: Russell Robertson 3, David Neitz 2, Stephen Powell 2, Jeff White 2, Cameron Bruce 1, David Schwarz 1, Paul Wheatley 1, Adem Yze 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Stephen Powell
Best and Fairest
28.5 - Anthony Ingerson
27.5 - Matthew Whelan
27 - Peter Walsh
19 - Andrew Leoncelli
18.5 - Troy Simmonds
Milestones:
50 Games
Brent Grgic
James McDonald
Melbourne held the unbeaten Bombers to their lowest score of the season and closer than any other team had so far that year, but still came up short. Despite their backline standing firm and a midfield delivering more inside 50s the Demons couldn't take advantage of their chances and kick enough goals to rack up a winning score.
Four of the last five goals made the margin respectable, but it was still a sign that the 2000 Demons were destined to return to finals football. The Demons were solid in defence, and did ok in the midfield but needed to make more of their forward attacks. They went inside the 50 metre arc 19 times to 13 in both the first and second quarters but still trailed on the scoreboard with the margin 12 points at half-time.
Just nine points down in the dying moments of the third term, Matthew Lloyd marked as the siren sounded. Many, including the Demons players, were convinced that it had been taken after the siren. The umpire disagreed and the margin was 15 at the last break. Essendon came out breathing fire and by the nine minute mark of the final term the Bombers were 28 in front. It was then that the Demons kicked four of the next five to become the most competitive side against the Bombers all year, but they still failed to take home the points.
Simmonds, Powell and Leoncelli were best. Jeff Farmer had been replaced in the selected side by Nathan Brown after failing to come up from a groin injury. Jeff White played, but was restricted with injury and forced to spend most of his day up forward instead of in the ruck.
Media
Age - 08/05/2000