Round 15, 1972
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 15 July
Venue: Waverley
Attendance: 30,887
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.1 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 8.10.58 |
| Collingwood | 3.3 | 7.5 | 9.10 | 10.13.73 |
Collingwood win by 15 points
Goalkickers: Greg Wells 4, Ross Brewer 1, Paul Callery 1, John Clennett 1, Peter Keenan 1
Milestones:
First Game
Geoff Harrold
Last Game
Lloyd Burgmann
100 Games
Gary Hardeman
The Magpies were still reeling from the controversial incident in their match a week before where John Greening had been knocked into a coma by Saint Jim O'Dea and was yet to regain full consciousness.
They were forced to regroup for a crucial game against a Demon side that had drawn to within a game and a half of the five after three wins in the last four games. The Pies were also fighting for fifth place and the result could have a huge impact on the two side's fortunes.
Collingwood were never behind at the end of any quarter but they had a hard time shaking off the Demons who were playing quicker football with better handballing. Melbourne's trouble was that they were wasteful with their opportunities and missed countless opportunities from free kicks and shots close to goal.
John Letcher held the dangerous Peter McKenna to three goals and Hardeman, Wells and Molloy were also amongst the best. Brewer (groin and suspected concussion) was replaced by Osborne in the second quarter, Burgmann was replaced by Clark in the last quarter. McKenzie suffered a bruised foot.
Reserves
Melbourne 13.9 d. Collingwood 8.15
Goals - Ritterman 4, MacDonald 2, Yeo 2, Dillon 1, Queay 1, Reid 1, Townsend 1, Walker 1, Williamson 1
Best - Ritterman, Townsend, Walker
Under 19s
Melbourne 12.15 d. Collingwood 11.10
Media
Age - 17/07/1972
Inside Football - 22/07/1972
Football Record R16 1972