Round 8, 1986
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 17 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 18,360
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 11.6 | 16.7 | 20.12.132 |
| Footscray | 3.3 | 5.6 | 9.8 | 11.14.80 |
Melbourne win by 52 points
Goalkickers: Ted Fidge 4, Peter Moore 4, Adrian Battiston 2, Garry Lyon 2, Russell Richards 2, Dale Dickson 1, Simon Eishold 1, Robert Flower 1, Nigel Kol 1, Jeremy Nichols 1, Robin White 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Russell Richards
1 - David Allday
Milestones:
First game and first goal
Jeremy Nichols
John Northey reacted savagely to his side's fifth straight loss and made seven changes - with six omissions - to the side that had lost to Geelong a week earlier. Ted Fidge repaid the coach's faith by kicking four goals despite starting the day on the interchange and Melbourne had their third win of the season.
At the end of the ground Paul Payne was thrashing Simon Beasley and along with Robin White was providing a handy springboard for the midfielders and forwards. Even David Cordner, former boom full forward, looked comfortable down back in his first game of the year after recovering from a shoulder injury while Jeremy Nichols had the best of Doug Hawkins on a wing in his first match.
The most surprising winner for the Dees was David Allday who was given the task of playing in the ruck so that Peter Moore could be at full-forward. He completely dominated Andrew Purser in the centre and allowed Moore to boot four goals.
Best were Payne, Allday and Lyon. Greg Healy (hamstring) was replaced in the selected side by Chris Connolly. David Cordner sprained his ankle.
Reserves
Melbourne 17.16.118 d. Footscray 18.9.117
Goals - Stynes 5, F. Rugolo 3, Fordes 3, Bailey 2, Barclay 2, Lovett 1, Allardice 1
Best - Fordes, Lovett, Allardice
Under 19s
Footscray 15.13.103 d. Melbourne 11.8.74
Goals - Wilson 3, Lovett 2, Hewitson 2, Brodie 1, Normington 1, Taglieri 1, Opyrchal 1
Best - Smith, Hewitson, Martello
Media
Age - 19/05/1986
Football Record R9 1986