Round 22 1996

Round 22, 1996
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Saturday, 31 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 63,196

Hawthorn win by 1 point

Goalkickers: David Neitz 6, Jeff Farmer 4, Alastair Clarkson 1, Matthew Febey 1, Dean Irving 1, Darren Kowal 1, Adem Yze 1

Brownlow Votes:
1 - David Neitz

Milestones:
Last Game
Luke Norman

Last MFC Game
Clay Sampson

The so-called Merger Match was played against the backdrop of the two teams impending union. David Neitz kicked four goals in the first quarter to get his side off to a fast start, but a seven goal to two second quarter put the Hawks in front at the long break.

Jeff Farmer booted three goals in a five minute burst during the third term, and by the last change the gap was under a goal. In a tense, dramatic last quarter Jason Dunstall kicked his 10th goal, and his 100th for the season which prompted a crowd invasion that held the game up for six minutes. The Hawks needed to win to qualify for the finals and ensure that it wouldn't be their last match ever and they held on to win by the narrowest of margins.

Neitz, Farmer and O'Brien were Melbourne's best while Todd Viney had 26 touches for the Demons.

Reserves
Melbourne 18.11.119 d. Hawthorn 10.8.68
Goals - Bradly 3, Corrigan 3, Gehling 3, Molloy 3, Parker 2, Doyle 1, Grant 1, McDonald 1, Yze 1
Best - Corrigan, Bradly, Grant

Video

First half highlights

Second half highlights (part one)

Second half highlights (part two)

Media
Football Record 1996 finals
"Best game I ever saw" - Herald Sun 21/04/2001