Round 22, 1982
Melbourne vs Sydney
Saturday 28 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 27,521
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.3 | 11.8 | 18.10 | 25.13.163 |
| Sydney | 5.6 | 12.9 | 15.11 | 22.16.148 |
Melbourne win by 15 points
Goalkickers: Gerard Healy 8, Mark Jackson 5, Peter Giles 3, Peter Tossol 2, Brian Wilson 2, Adrian Battiston 1, Tony Elshaug 1, Robert Flower 1, Greg Hutchison 1, Steven Icke 1
Milestones:
Last game
Stuart McKenzie
Last MFC game
Mark Jackson
With both clubs well out of finals contention, a surprisingly large crowd was treated to a free-flowing exhibition where defence was the last thing on anybody's mind.
With an $8000 bonus and a trip to America on offer if they won the match the Demons started to shake the Swans in the third quarter, by which time Gerard Healy already had four goals. He booted another three in the third and they were on their way to the US.
The ninth place finish was their best since almost making the finals in 1976 and supporters treated the result it as if they'd won something meaningful.
Ron Barassi said he felt his side was capable of "doing some exciting things" in 1983.
Glenn Giles, Gerard Healy and Brian Wilson were best on ground. By virtue of booting three more goals than Mark Jackson, Healy won the club goalkicking by one.
Reserves
Melbourne 22.15.147 d. Sydney 13.15.93
Goals - O'Dwyer 8, Clarkson 4, McCarthy 4, DiStephano 2, Clayton 1, Fisher 1, Lawson 1, Sutcliffe 1
Best - Clayton, Gordon, McGlashan
Under 19s
Melbourne 25.16.166 d. Sydney 15.12.102
Goals - Connolly 7, Bamblett 6, Reynolds 3, Rugolo 3, Bergman 2, Philby 2, Fidge 1, Howard 1
Best - Connolly, Bamblett, Muir
Video
Notes
Some sources suggest that instead of the "Grand Old Flag", Chris Connolly led the players in a rendition of "LA International Airport" after the match in celebration but he was an Under 19s player at the time.
Media
Canberra Times - 29/08/1982
Age - 30/08/1982
Football Record 1982 finals