Round 12, 1977
South Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 18 June
Venue: Lake Oval
Attendance: 8588
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| South Melbourne | 3.5 | 5.12 | 7.15 | 8.22.70 |
| Melbourne | 3.4 | 5.7 | 9.8 | 9.10.64 |
South Melbourne win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Daryl Cumming 4, Ray Biffin 1, Robert Flower 1, Tom Flower 1, Colin Graham 1, Robert Walters 1
Milestones:
First game and first goal
Robert Walters
A reborn South Melbourne took another step towards a rare appearance in the finals with a victory they might not have truly deserved. They went into the last quarter four points in front but only managed five behinds while dominating the Demons. South dominated the ruck, with Craig McKellar taken off in the first half while being beaten by Graeme Teasdale.
In terrible conditions where overhead marking and handball were nearly impossible, Melbourne hit back on the muddy Lake Oval but Laurie Fowler was denied a mark in the forward pocket and South coach Ian Stewart threw his entire team into the backline, a move not seen for years, in the dying seconds to hold onto victory.
The loss left the Demons above only St Kilda (one win, two draws) and Fitzroy (one win) on the ladder.
Best were Wells, Campbell and Cumming. Dullard was replaced in the selected side by Carroll and became an unused reserve. McKellar (thigh) was replaced by Keays in the second quarter.
Reserves
Melbourne 9.19.73 d. South Melbourne 7.11.53
Goals - Davidson 2, Woodman 2, Alves 1, Baldwin 1, Byrne 1, Johnston 1, Sparks 1
Best - Johnston, Fitzsimmons, Sullivan
Under 19s
Melbourne 4.8.32 drew South Melbourne 4.8.32
Media
Canberra Times - 20/06/1977
Age - 20/06/1977
Football Record R13 1977