Round 1, 2005
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 26 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 47,849
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 9.8 | 12.11 | 15.13.103 |
| Essendon | 3.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 8.9.57 |
Melbourne win by 46 points
Goalkickers: Adem Yze 4, Aaron Davey 2, Brad Miller 2, Brad Green 1, Travis Johnstone 1, James McDonald 1, Brent Moloney 1, David Neitz 1, Russell Robertson 1, Jeff White 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Brent Moloney
2 - Cameron Bruce
1 - Ryan Ferguson
Milestones:
First MFC Game
Brent Moloney
A moving pre-match ceremony remembered young defender Troy Broadbridge who had perished in the Boxing Day Tsunami while on honeymoon in Thailand. Melbourne ran through a banner simply reading "Troy Broadbridge - 20 - 1980-2004", and each player wore a black armband with Troy's number on it.
A minute's silence was held before the first bounce to remember Troy and the victims of the Tsunami.
The Demons kicked the first two goals of the match, one through new boy Brent Moloney, but the Bombers took a narrow lead into quarter time. Melbourne, however, bounced back and between the likes of Moloney, Bruce and Ferguson they steamed away to a 46 point victory,. Travis Johnstone kicked the last goal and pointed to his black armband tattoo in tribute.
Melbourne had done it for Troy, and they showed a final mark of respect by leaving the ground as one.
Brad Miller was fined $900 each on two counts of wrestling and Brad Green $900 for one.
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Age - 26/03/2005