Round 8, 1972
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 20 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 19,023
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 7.3 | 11.9 | 14.13 | 20.14.134 |
| Geelong | 2.3 | 5.9 | 10.15 | 14.17.101 |
Melbourne win by 33 points
Goalkickers: Greg Parke 6, John Clennett 3, Mike Collins 3, Stan Alves 2, Peter Keenan 2, Peter Sinclair 2, Paul Callery 1, Ross Dillon 1
Milestones:
Nil
With the axe expected to fall after a humiliating loss to Carlton in Round 7 coach and commitee decided to try something different, and they were rewarded. Instead of making wholesale changes Melbourne went in with the same side a week later and were comfortable winners.
The Cats on the other hand were the side in crisis. They hadn't won a game all season, and at one point were 55 points behind. The Cats reigned the margin in to 36 points at half-time, but under pressure Geelong coach Bill McMaster was still moved to deliver a spray and to his relief some of his players responded.
Five minutes into the last term they were within ten points with all the momentum, but their experienced players couldn't help them get over the line and Melbourne sent them back down the highway without the points. Ian Ridley took responsibility for his side's fatigue, saying "I've been training the boys extra hard in recent weeks. I'll have to go lighter on them now".
Stan Alves was best on ground, and both Barry Bourke and Tony Sullivan were prominent. Townsend and Clark (knee) were replaced by Ritterman and Brewer respectively during the last quarter.
It was Melbourne's highest score against the Cats since 1957.
Reserves
Melbourne 14.17 d. Geelong 10.10
Goals - Osborne 5, Dilnot 3, Carr 2, Burgmann 1, Gallus 1, McSpeerin 1, Morgan 1
Best - Osborne, Dilnot, C. Anderson
Under 19s
Melbourne 16.14.110 defeated Geelong 10.9.69
Goals - Curry 4, McGuinness 4, Tesoriero 3, Watts 3, McIlvenna 1, McMullin 1
Best - McGuinness, Giampaolo, Williamson
Media
Age - 19/05/1972
Age - 22/05/1972
Inside Football - 27/05/1972
Football Record R9 1972