Round 17, 1974
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 27 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 22,893
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.9 | 8.16 | 12.16 | 15.21.111 |
| Collingwood | 5.2 | 7.7 | 12.7 | 17.13.115 |
Collingwood win by 4 points
Goalkickers: Gary Hardeman 4, Billy Barham 3, Ross Brewer 3, Greg Wells 2, Garry Baker 1, Robert Flower 1, Greg Wood 1
Milestones:
MFC Debut
Ted Carroll
With the Pies firmly in contention for the five and Melbourne having just been thrashed by North it seemed a fait accompli that the Magpies would steamroll to victory at the MCG, but Melbourne made them work for a narrow win.
The Demon players did everything they could to throw the game away after leading by nine points at the last change, missing open goals and easily gettable shots. At the other end Adrian Dullard had beaten Collingwood forward Bob Heard handily all day until Heard broke free to kick two goals in the last term.
Best were Hardeman, Wells and Alves. Giampaolo (dislocated shoulder) was replaced by McMullin at quarter time. Williamson was an unused reserve.
Reserves
Collingwood 17.16 d. Melbourne 14.15
Goals - Chamberlain 4, Kerley 2, Molloy 2, Ough 1, Swan 1, Moore 1, Fox 1, Munday 1, Peters 1
Best - Chamberlain, Molloy, Owen
Under 19s
Melbourne 16.13 d. Collingwood 10.14
Goals - Baker 4, Unknown 12
Media
Age - 29/07/1974
Football Record R18 1974