Round 3, 2001
Melbourne vs Geelong
Monday 16 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 48,551
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 9.8 | 13.13 | 18.16.124 |
| Geelong | 6.3 | 8.7 | 11.10 | 15.14.104 |
Melbourne win by 20 points
Goalkickers: Brad Green 3, Russell Robertson 3, Cameron Bruce 2, Daniel Ward 2, Shane Woewodin 2, Matthew Collins 1, Jeff Farmer 1, David Neitz 1, David Schwarz 1, Adem Yze 1
Brownlow votes:
3 - David Schwarz
2 - Shane Woewodin
Best and Fairest
30 - Shane Woewodin
26 - Daniel Ward
24 - Brent Grgic
21 - David Schwarz
19 - Adem Yze
13 - Anthony McDonald
Milestones:
Nil
A more efficient Demon attack got the club's second win for the year on the board and seemed to right the ship of last season's runners-up. After narrowly averting a 0-2 start with a last gasp win in Round 2, Melbourne were far better in dispatching the ladder-leading Cats. On a hot day, one of the field umpires was replaced in the third quarter after falling victim to the conditions.
Melbourne conceded four goals in the last 10 minutes of the first quarter to turn a two goal lead into a two goal deficit, before a Shane Woewodin goal from 50 metres put the Demons ahead again during the second quarter. Geelong didn't kick a goal from the 10 minute mark of the second term until 11 minutes into the third. The Demons defensive rebound saw them running out of danger in numbers, and they had 33 handballs in their defensive 50 opposed to 3 for Geelong. Brent Grgic and Anthony Ingerson had thirteen defensive rebounds between them.
The dangerous Ronnie Burns was held to three goals by Peter Walsh, but at the other end Burns' mate Jeff Farmer, returning after suspension, was well held by Brenton Sanderson but wasteful with one goal from six scoring shots. The third quarter ran for over 37 minutes due to a broken leg to Geelong's Jason Snell, ending with the Demons just over two goals in front at the last change. Geelong drew to within two points twice in the last quarter before Melbourne recovered, with Adem Yze kicking the sealer on the run.
Neale Daniher said "In a way our credibility was probably a question mark - and that's fair enough - but I thought we won a bit of credibility today. We played pretty good footy in the second half."
Best were Shane Woewodin, Adem Yze, and Daniel Ward. Ward was reported for abusive language but the charge was withdrawn. Jeff White suffered a wrenched knee.
David Schwarz had a controversial day, criticising opponent Ben Graham in a post-match radio interview, then being accused of racially vilifying Geelong's Justin Murphy during the first quarter by calling him a 'coconut'. The case was settled in mediation after Schwarz apologised.
Lists
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Age - 17/04/2001
Australian - 17/04/2001
Herald Sun - 17/04/2001
Advertiser - 17/04/2001
Advertiser - 18/04/2001