Semi Final 1988

Semi Final, 1988
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Sunday, 11 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 87,407

Melbourne win by 13 points

Goalkickers: Sean Wight 3, Garry Lyon 2, Stephen Newport 2, Jim Stynes 2, Brian Wilson 2, Steven O'Dwyer 1, Earl Spalding 1

Milestones:
Last Game
Doug Koop

The match was held up for four minutes before the first bounce when the teams engaged in what would come to be called a 'melee'. Stephen Stretch? was knocked out in the clash. Stephen Newport went to Peter Daicos, while Greg Healy was tagged by Tony Shaw.

The Demons skipped to an early lead and had a 23 point advantage at the long break. Mick McGuane had been one of the dominant Magpies in the first half but was injured, which allowed Andy Lovell to burst into the game.

Collingwood got within a goal in the third but they could never get their noses in front, and the Demons held them off. Earl Spalding was excellent and centre half-forward, which allowed Garry Lyon to cause havoc on the flank.

Sean Wight went forward to spark the often limp Demon forward line, and the ruck division of Steve O'Dwyer and Jim Stynes were as dominant as ever.

With the game in the balance in the last term Newport kicked a freak goal to help sink the Pies. His speculative shot at goal bounced through on a right angle. Brian Taylor kicked two late goals but the result was beyond doubt by that point.

Taylor kicked six goals on Danny Hughes, but Hughes real value was in launching attacks out of the backline time and time again.

Collingwood complained bitterly about the umpiring, but the end result was that their season was over.

Best for Melbourne were O'Dwyer, Lovett and Lovell.

A month after they had been in a slump which threatened to ruin the whole season Melbourne were now into the preliminary final, where Carlton awaited.

Media
The Age - 12/09/1988