Round 20, 1974
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 17 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 17,951
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 3.6 | 7.11 | 10.15.75 |
| Footscray | 6.7 | 11.10 | 15.18 | 23.21.159 |
Footscray win by 84 points
Goalkickers: Ross Brewer 2, Graham Scott 2, Stan Alves 1, Billy Barham 1, Ray Biffin 1, Neil Chamberlain 1, Carl Ditterich 1, Robert Flower 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Graham Scott
Statistical categories led:
Biggest loss in Round 20
During the week Bob Skilton had claimed his side would push the Dogs all the way after three impressive performances in a row, but by five minutes into the first quarter when Footscray were four goals to nothing in front his prediction was starting to look poorly thought out. By the end of the match it would seem absolutely ridiculous.
After wins against the Bulldogs in each of the previous three seasons, this may have been a danger game for the finals contending Dogs. Not taking the threat of a loss seriously, Bob Rose asked his finals contender side for a percentage boost and his side delivered and extra five percentage points. Only in the third quarter where the Demons only allowed four points to be added to the lead did they look anything other than the wooden spooners elect.
Only Stan Alves went near winning his position on the day. Barham and Sullivan were also amongst the best. It was Footscray's biggest ever win against the Demons.
Reserves
Footscray 17.15 d. Melbounre 9.10
Goals - Williamson 3, Baber 2, Swan 2, Ahern 1, Pagnoccolo 1
Best - Williamson, Slade, Keays
Under 19s
Footscray 13.17 d. Melbourne 9.11
Goals - Campbell 2, Chapman 2, Newman 2, Ahern 1, Baker 1, Wood 1
Best - Ross, Woods, Chapman
Notes
Both Reserves were used.
Media
Age - 15/08/1974
Age - 19/08/1974
Football Record R21 1974