Semi Final, 1994
Melbourne vs Footscray
Sunday 18 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 65,577
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 9.7 | 19.11 | 21.18.144 |
| Footscray | 1.5 | 6.8 | 8.9 | 9.11.65 |
Melbourne win by 79 points
Goalkickers: Garry Lyon 10, Brett Lovett 3, Kevin Dyson 2, Andy Lovell 2, David Schwarz 2, Dean Irving 1, Stephen Tingay 1
Milestones:
100 games
Andy Lovell
Stephen Tingay
After coming from behind to beat Carlton in their first finals match the Demons faced off against a Bulldogs side who had only been beaten by a Geelong goal after the siren.
Footscray might have justifiably gone in as favourites, but with several important players missing through injury they were torn apart by Garry Lyon. After a slow start the Demon skipper kicked three goals in the second part of the first quarter, and another three in the second, en route to 10.4 for the day. His double figures had come up 12 minutes into the third quarter after four quick goals to start the half.
The Bulldogs had dominated the first 10 minutes of play, but they hadn't taken advantage on the scoreboard and it allowed Melbourne to jump to a 23 point lead at the last quarter. Footscray gradually reduced the margin to 12 two minutes into the third term before Lyon's four goal rampage kicked off a 10 goal to nil run.
Lyon went quiet for the rest of the third term before leaving the game halfway through the last with a 'bruised thigh'. He had beaten four opponents to that point, and given off a number of goals to other players so coach Neil Balme could be excused for finding reasons to want to rest his star forward. Lyon's haul was just one goal short of the all-time finals goals record of 11 - and one point shy of Footscray's entire score.
Down the other end the defence kept Footscray quiet, with Paul Prymke restricting Chris Grant to one goal and both David Neitz and Sean Wight playing a vital role.
After two goals and 12 marks David Schwarz was stretchered off late when he was accidentally kneed to the head. He received six stitches and treatment for concussion but was available for the next game.
Best were Lyon, Schwarz and Glenn Lovett. Andrew Obst pulled up with a sore knee. Glenn Molloy was a late replacement for Sean Charles
Video
Media
Canberra Times - 17/09/1994
Canberra Times - 19/09/1994