Round 21, 1985
Sydney vs Melbourne
Sunday 25 August
Venue: SCG
Attendance: 7942
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Sydney | 8.10 | 14.15 | 20.17 | 24.21.165 |
| Melbourne | 2.5 | 5.10 | 10.11 | 14.13.97 |
Sydney win by 68 points
Goalkickers: Ted Fidge 3, Gerard Healy 2, Greg Healy 2, John Fidge 1, Rod Grinter 1, Alan Johnson 1, Michael O'Sullivan 1, Robin White 1
Brownlow Votes:
2 - Alan Jarrott
Milestones:
First Goal
Robin White (14th game)
A paltry SCG crowd turned out to see the match between two of the league's big disappointments in 1985, and those that skipped the game missed out on Warwick Capper's dominant seven goal performance in a game that was almost over by quarter time and absolutely dead by half time. It was Sydney's first victory in two months.
John Northey wasn't happy, noting that his team had been ten goals in front at half time but only won by eleven. Ironically both coaches next jobs would be with the other's team. Northey with the Demons in 1986 and Barassi at the Swans in 1993.
Four unanswered goals after the half-time break gave Melbourne fans feint hope of a comeback but it was quickly snuffed out and despite his later angst Northey showed he wasn't taking the game entirely seriously by moving 200 gamer Rod Carter into the middle where he had two shots on goal in a bid to kick his first in league football.
The victory pushed Sydney ahead of Melbourne on percentage, and to that point was the largest score South Melbourne/Sydney had ever scored.
Alan Jarrott's 34 touches were the most on ground. Ted Fidge, Peter Moore and Stephen Newport were Melbourne's other main contributors.
Reserves
Melbourne 14.21.105 d. Sydney 8.13.61
Goals - Dickson 4, Seddon 3, Bailey 2, Ward 2, Parish 1, Rhine 1, Wright 1
Best - Allday, Parrish, Smythe
Under 19s
Melbourne 19.10.124 d. Sydney 8.10.58
Goals - Lyon 5, Edwards 3, Sparks 2, Marra 2, McCarty 2, Duerkop 2, Dann 1, Campbell 1, Kiley 1
Best - 'Team effort'
Media
Age - 26/08/1985
Sydney Morning Herald - 26/08/1985
Football Record R22 1985