Round 17, 1968
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 10 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 18,733
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.2 | 5.8 | 7.11 | 10.14.74 |
| Footscray | 4.0 | 5.3 | 8.8 | 9.11.65 |
Melbourne win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Hassa Mann 3, Gary Hardeman 2, John Townsend 2, Brian Dixon 1, Greg Parke 1, Barrie Vagg 1
Milestones:
First Game
Peter Weekes
With the British Opposition Leader, and future Prime Minister, Edward Heath in the stands the two sides played a high scoring first quarter to set the match up as an exciting spectacle, before the second term saw Footscray add just one goal and the Demons 0.6, to give Melbourne a five point lead at the long break.
Footscray took control through the centre in the third quarter, and by the last change they were three points in front, but in a thrilling last quarter it was Hassa Mann, Tassie Johnson and Brian Dixon who carried the Demons over the line. Dixon had a hand in the first two goals of the last quarter before Mann took a strong pack mack to goal and extend the margin. Johnson spent the last few minutes as a rock in the heart of defence, and in front of the visiting dignitary the Demons earned four points.
Best were Johnson, Mann and Roet. Fowler (bruised shoulder) was replaced by Biffin in the last quarter. Stone was an unused reserve.
Reserves
Melbourne 12.17 d. Footscray 9.13
Goals - Dowsing 3, Aubrey 2, Fahey 2, Forster 2, Lees 1, Walker 1, Clark 1
Best - D. Clarke, K. Osborne, Catlin
Under 19s
Footscray 12.11 d. Melbourne 4.10
Goals - McLean 1, O'Farrell 1, Sampson 1, Wells 1
Best - Swift, Jenkin, Callery
Media
Football Record R18 1968
Age - 12/08/1968