Round 12, 1959
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 18 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 21,979
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.4 | 6.5 | 10.7 | 13.10.88 |
| Richmond | 2.1 | 4.3 | 6.3 | 7.9.51 |
Melbourne win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Dick Fenton-Smith 3, Hassa Mann 3, Peter Brenchley 2, Don Williams 2, Neil Crompton 1, Terry Gleeson 1, Geoff Tunbridge 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Athol Webb
50 Games
Geoff Tunbridge
The Demons further established themselves in first place, but despite the relatively comfortable victory their form was well down on their win over North Melbourne the previous Saturday.
On the weekend of the interstate game both teams were missing players, but Melbourne were without key figures Ron Barassi and Bob Johnson. Without those two and other important players like the injured Frank Adams and Ian Ridley the Demons were far from impressive, but on the other hand Richmond were much improved and deserved to be closer but for a poor last quarter.
The pattern of the game was that Richmond would waste chances through mis-kicking and Melbourne's players played like individuals rather than a team. In the end three goals to one in the last quarter made the result more comfortable than it deserved to be.
Laidlaw, Dixon and Mithen were best. Jones (thigh) and Fenton-Smith (cramp) were replaced by Wilson and Kenneally respectively during the last quarter.
Runner Hughie McPherson was reported for misconduct in that he used abusive language during the last quarter but was found not guilty.
Seconds
Melbourne 18.12 d. Richmond 14.9
Goals - Pinfold 4, J. Leahy 3, Lord 2, Milner 2, Wilkinson 2, Stevens 1, Breen 1, Bourke 1, Buswell 1, Nilsson 1
Best - Lord, Sheppard, Pinfold
Thirds
Melbourne 12.20 d. Richmond 10.17
Goals - Clarke 3, Russell 3, Anderson 2, Jeffrey 2, Williams 1, Bosch 1
Best - Clarke, Anderson, Williams
Lists
Tribunal
Media
Age - 20/07/1959
Football Record R13 1959