Round 5, 1986
Melbourne vs Sydney
Friday 25 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 40,117
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.5 | 5.9 | 8.14 | 14.17.101 |
| Sydney | 4.2 | 10.7 | 13.10 | 16.14.110 |
Sydney win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Greg Healy 4, Robert Flower 2, Peter Moore 2, Alan Jarrott 1, Alan Johnson 1, Russell Richards 1, Steven Stretch 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Greg Healy
Milestones:
Last MFC Game
Darren Louttit
First Goal
Steven Stretch (5th game)
The Demon season which started so well with two straight wins was suddenly back in the red after the Swans won the ANZAC Day clash in a thriller.
Sydney on the other hand were unbeaten, something that must have stuck in the throat of John Northey after the Swans had sacked him months before. Despite the fact that his team lacked depth and flash compared to their opponents Northey must have been pleased that they almost contrived to knock the Swans off top spot.
He wasn't happy with the second quarter, labelling their kicking as "pathetic" and suggesting it as the main reason the side went into the half-time break 28 points behind. He slated his team’s commitment to winning the ball and blamed it for their eventual defeat.
The match started in willing fashion with Danny Hughes annoying Warwick Capper in the Swans goalsquare and an all-in brawl leading to Gerard Healy - facing his old side for the first time since doing a runner to Sydney for a big contract - was reported for striking Steve Turner.
Melbourne's defensive plan revolved solely around stopping Capper but they found it hard to slow him down until Chris Connolly ran through him midway through the quarter. The plan was to no avail as he returned before the end of the term.
It took until the third quarter for Melbourne to outscore Sydney and they gave themselves a platform to launch a last quarter attack from. Six goals to three in the final quarter into the wind, including the first two of the term, put them back in the match but they couldn't bridge the gap. Six goals to three reduced the margin to nine points, but Melbourne couldn't where it was when the siren went.
Best were Healy, Moore and Hughes. Steven Stretch tore his hamstring in the second quarter and Darren Louttit broke his arm just after the start of the third quarter and would not play for Melbourne again.
Reserves
Melbourne 19.22.136 d. Sydney 9.5.59
Goals - T. Fidge 4, F. Rugolo 4, OSullivan 3, O'Dwyer 2, Gumley 1, Allday 1, Eishold 1, Dickson 1, Ryan 1, Yeates 1
Best - Rugolo, Ryan, Allday
Under 19s
BYE
Media
Canberra Times - 26/04/1986
Age - 26/04/1986
Football Record R6 1986