Round 2, 1997
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Friday 4 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 61,138
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.5 | 4.7 | 6.11 | 7.14.56 |
| Collingwood | 6.1 | 12.6 | 15.12 | 24.19.163 |
Collingwood win by 107 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 3, Alastair Clarkson 2, Jeff Farmer 1, Craig Nettelbeck 1
Brownlow Votes:
Nil
Milestones:
Nil
After a stunning upset of reigning premier North Melbourne, in Round 1, Melbourne crashed back to earth with a thumping defeat.
Sav Rocca booted ten and Nathan Buckley was dominant with 28 possessions as the Magpies slammed on nine goals to one in the fourth quarter, including eight unanswered in the final 12 minutes, to stretch the margin beyond a hundred points, falling just short of their record win against the Demons set in 1919. Neil Balme said that after their big first round victory "we thought we were millionaires all of a sudden, but it's a long season".
Best were Alastair Clarkson, Glenn Lovett and David Neitz. Garry Lyon (calf) was a late withdrawal, replaced by Adem Yze. Sean Charles and Stephen Tingay injured hamstrings, Steven Febey a thigh, and Paul Hopgood his hip.
Reserves
Collingwood 16.7.103 d. Melbourne 8.13.61
Goals - Bradly 3, Robertson 2, Goodale 2, Seecamp 1
Best - McHardy, Goodale, Bassett
Lists
10 goals
100 point losses
Media
Age - 05/04/1997, 06/04/1997
Football Record - R3 1997