Round 20, 1973
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 18 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 12,561
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.2 | 7.7 | 10.10 | 10.13.73 |
| Footscray | 4.3 | 11.4 | 15.4 | 17.8.110 |
Footscray win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Paul Callery 3, Tony Dullard 2, John Tilbrook 2, Stan Alves 1, Greg MacDonald 1, Henry Ritterman 1
Milestones:
First Game
Neil Chamberlain
For the second time in three weeks the Demons lost to one of the bottom three sides, and Ian Ridley's nightmare grew even more terrifying. It wasn't all his fault though, he was fielding a side with five 19-year-old players including the debuting Neil Chamberlain. Four of them started on the field with the debutant as reserve.
In terrible conditions on the wet, muddy MCG the Dogs kicking was sublime and they could barely miss - especially Laurie Sandilands who booted eight.
Melbourne on the other hand made everything look harder than it should have. A surprise move to play Graeme Osborne at centre-half forward failed to have the desired effect, and not for the first time that season they relied on their smallest player Paul Callery to kick goals.
Best were Tilbrook, Parke and Callery. Keenan (twisted knee) was replaced by Delmenico in the second quarter and Fitzsimmons by Chamberlain at three-quarter time.
Reserves
Footscray 13.11 d. Melbourne 7.18
Goals - Giampaolo 2, Molloy 2, Mills 1, Peters 1, Reid 1
Best - Clark, Clennett, Kerley
Under 19s
Footscray 8.12 d. Melbourne 8.11
Goals - Rees 3, Arundale 1, McMullin 1, Moore 1, Morgan 1, Rackham 1
Best - McLean, Reid, Meades
Media
Age - 16/08/1973
Age - 20/08/1973
Football Record R21 1973