Semi Final, 1989
Geelong vs Melbourne
Sunday 17 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 69,082
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Geelong | 3.3 | 8.8 | 12.11 | 22.21.153 |
| Melbourne | 1.5 | 3.11 | 8.16 | 12.18.90 |
Geelong win by 63 points
Goalkickers: Steven Stretch 3, Darren Bennett 2, Luke Beveridge 1, Rod Grinter 1, Greg Healy 1, Stephen Newport 1, Steven O'Dwyer 1, Jim Stynes 1, Graeme Yeats 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Jamie Duursma
Statistical categories led:
Biggest loss in Semi Final
The Cats were one of the highest-scoring sides in VFL history, but they entered the second Semi Final under siege after crashing to a limp 76 point loss to Essendon the week before. Melbourne arrested a disappointing run of one win in six games by winning the Elimination Final, and started favourites against the Cats before being beaten comfortably.
The Demons were stunned when Malcolm Blight left his classiest midfielders on the bench and started the hardmen who would become famous for their role in the Grand Final a fortnight later. The scene was set when Damian Bourke jumped into Steve O'Dwyer strongly at the first bounce and sparked the first in a series of running battles.
After wasting chances early Melbourne had no answers. Without Garry Lyon up front they were being torched at the other end by the combination of Gary Ablett and Barry Stoneham who had seven of the Cats eight goals in the first half. By the end of the day Ablett had beaten Rod Grinter, Steven Febey, Sean Wight and Peter Rohde en route to 7.7.
Nearly five goals down to start the second half Melbourne staged a brave fightback, and they slashed the margin to 12 points entering time on. John Northey had tried to steady the ship with a number of unorthodox moves, including Darren Bennett to centre half-back and it looked like it might have worked before the Cats capitalised on a poor kick-in to steady, then went on to boot a record last quarter score in a final on route to a huge victory.
Best were Brett Lovett, Stretch and Stynes. Tony Campbell was reported for striking but cleared. Alan Johnson was concussed, Rod Grinter bruised his shin, and Graeme Yeats had a lacerated eye.
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Inside Football - 13/09/1989, 20/09/1989
Age - 17/09/1989, 18/09/1989