Round 8, 1960
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 11 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 35,539
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 5.7 | 7.9 | 10.15.75 |
| Footscray | 3.0 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.8.44 |
Melbourne win by 31 points
Goalkickers: Ray Nilsson 3, Robert B Johnson 2, Ian Ridley 2, Alan Rowarth 2, Bob Turner 1
Milestones:
First game and First goal
Ray Nilsson
50 games
Ian Thorogood
After a thrilling victory over league leaders Essendon a week earlier the Demons faced another tough match against third placed Footscray and came out on top more comfortably to further extend their lead at the head of the table.
The youthful Bulldogs were undermanned due to injuries managed to stay within striking distance of their more accomplished opponents for three quarters before Melbourne finally kicked away. The Demons had sprung a surprise at the selection table, dropping state player Hassa Mann to the bench but it didn't affect them and their substantial advantage in strength carried them over the line.
Melbourne were successful in retaining their spot on the top of the ladder despite a malfunctioning forward line which stopped them from racking up a big score to capitalise on the good work of their midfielders. Ron Barassi was the chief offender with 0.6, but debutante Ray Nilsson booted three.
Footscray remained with them until halfway through the third quarter thanks to team spirit, but their flashes of good football weren't enough to get them over the line.
Barassi, Lord and Dixon were Melbourne's best. Thorogood (blistered feet) was replaced by Trevor Johnson in the last quarter and Barassi (shoulder) by Hassa Mann in the last quarter.
Reserves
Footscray 9.13 d. Melbourne 4.11
Goals - Baker 1, R. Rolfe 1, Sheppard 1, Weidlich 1
Best - L. Mann, Pinfold, McLean
Under 19s
Footscray 10.11 d. Melbourne 10.7
Goals - Ingwersen 5, Leahy 2, Carroll 2, Anderson 1
Best - Leahy, Ingwersen, Groom
Media
Age - 13/06/1960
Herald - 13/06/1960
Football Record R8, 1960