Round 3, 1980
Geelong vs Melbourne
Saturday 12 April
Venue: Kardinia Park
Attendance: 21,504
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Geelong | 4.3 | 6.9 | 11.10 | 17.17.119 |
| Melbourne | 3.1 | 6.7 | 11.8 | 14.9.93 |
Geelong win by 26 points
Goalkickers: Garry Baker 3, Chris Woodman 3, Robert Walters 2, Michael Byrne 1, Tony Elshaug 1, Robert Flower 1, Graham Gaunt 1, Bill Nettlefold 1, Russell Rowe 1
Milestones:
Nil
After two straight wins to start the season the Demons were being tagged as 1980's great improvers but as it so often would over the years, the momentum would be lost with a trip to Geelong.
The Cats had disappointed over the first fortnight of the season but they could have been unbeaten, losing three matches - including one in the night series - by less than a goal.
Both teams played well in patches without putting a four quarter performance together, and the match remained close for most of the day. The gap was never more than eight points at the end of any quarter and halfway through the last term scores were level.
It was then that Geelong launched an assault that won them the game. Several Demons disappointed, including Robert Walters who was held to two goals after booting seven the week before and Robert Flower who was well beaten by Michael Turner.
Carl Ditterich, missing with ankle soreness, said his team lacked desperation and discipline and despite winning the first two games had a long way to go before becoming true contenders.
Best were Wells, Flower and Fowler
Reserves
Geelong 24.17.161 d. Melbourne 16.12.108
Goals - Seddon 4, Coles 3, Battiston 2, Parish 2, Bunn 1, Durnan 1, Hutchison 1, O'Donnell 1, O'Sullivan 1
Best - Hunnibell, Cortese, Hutchison
Under 19s
Geelong 25.21.171 d. Melbourne 15.13.103
Goals - O'Brien 3, Dwyer 2, Hope 2, Whitworth 2, Boyle 1, Ford 1, McKaige 1, McKissick 1, Nelson 1, Osiurak 1
Best - O'Brien, Ford, Boyle
Media
Age - 14/04/1980
Football Record - R4 1980