Round 19, 1970
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday 8 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 25,158
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 2.2 | 5.6 | 8.7 | 9.10.64 |
| Melbourne | 4.1 | 8.3 | 14.8 | 18.10.118 |
Melbourne win by 54 points
Goalkickers: Ross Dillon 4, Peter Weekes 3, Lloyd Burgmann 2, Peter Keenan 2, Robert McKenzie 2, Barry Bourke 1, Derek Feldmann 1, Graham Molloy 1, Greg Parke 1, John Townsend 1
Milestones:
First Game
Barry Hodges
Richmond were fighting for a spot in the finals and needed to beat the 11th placed Demons to keep in touch, and to reassure their supporters that they were a chance in September, but despite going into the match as raging favourites they were unable beaten comfortably.
Melbourne's dominated all over the field, and won in every position. Such was the strength of their attack that each member of the forward line kicked a goal.
In a year when coach John Beckwith had been criticised for over-use of the handball his critics were answered on a day when lightning handball unlocked the Tigers midfield with ease. They stayed within range in the first half but when best on ground Peter Keenan took over the centre bounces in the third quarter the Demons jumped away with six goals to one.
Both Gary Hardeman and Tony Sullivan beat their opponents handily in the backline and were named amongst the best. Barry Hodges also received praise on debut for his negating job on the dangerous Bill Barrot. Payne (hamstring) was replaced by Weeks during the second quarter. George Lakes was an unused reserve.
The win all but ensured that the Demons wouldn't win the wooden spoon, opening up a three game and percentage break on North Melbourne with three games left.
Reserves
Richmond 14.14 d. Melbourne 13.14
Goals - Callery 4, Sinclair 4, Clarke 3, Carr 1, Theodore 1
Best - Callery, Sinclair, Leahy
Under 19s
Melbourne 19.4 d. Richmond 11.10
Goals - Stephenson 6, Tepper 5, Roberts 3, Taylor 3, Cunningham 1, Williamson 1
Best - Martin, Hill, Stephenson
Media
Age - 10/08/1970
Football Record R20 1970