Round 2, 1998
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Saturday, 4 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 29,990
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.2 | 11.4 | 14.8 | 19.11.125 |
| North Melbourne | 1.4 | 4.5 | 11.8 | 15.10.100 |
Melbourne win by 25 points
Goalkickers: Jeff Farmer 3, Garry Lyon 3, David Neitz 3, Jeff White 3, David Schwarz 2, Donald Cockatoo-Collins 1, Steven Febey 1, Brent Grgic 1, Guy Rigoni 1, Shaun Smith 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Steven Febey
2 - Jeff Farmer
1 - Jim Stynes
Best and Fairest
39 - Jim Stynes
37 - Andrew Leoncelli
36 - Jeff Farmer
23 - Steven Febey
22 - Guy Rigoni
Milestones:
First goal
Guy Rigoni (2nd game)
First win as coach
Neale Daniher (2nd game)
100 games
Shaun Smith (also with North Melbourne)
Coming off a first round loss, Melbourne was not expected to trouble the reigning premiers but charged to a 22 point lead at quarter time. They had three goals on the board before North got the ball inside their forward 50. Then, led by the returning Garry Lyon, the margin reached 41 at half time, and 43 midway through the third term. North then stormed back into the game to cut the margin to three goals at the last break, and got within a kick in the final term.
Melbourne steadied to win despite players falling victim to cramp. David Neitz kicked a goal to extend the margin to eight points again, before Steven Febey and Jeff Farmer kicked sealers. With the game on the line Lyon moved into the midfield and won a crucial holding the ball decision with a tackle, leading to a crucial goal. They went on to win easily, kicking the last four goals of the game.
Speaking after his first senior coaching win, Neale Daniher said: "A bit of self belief has crept back into the club and we've got to build on that".
Best were Stynes, Rigoni and Leoncelli. Shaun Smith injured his ankle. Anthony McDonald was replaced in the selected side by Donald Cockatoo-Collins.
Apart from North the other big loser was 3AW radio presenter Ernie Sigley who promised to wash Garry Lyon's car for three years if the Demons provided the upset of the round.
Video
Reserves
Melbourne 20.11.131 d. North Melbourne 14.12.96
Goals - Robertson 3, David Cockatoo-Collins 2, Cann 2, L. Williams 2, Bishop 2, Ward 2, Bradly 2, Chambers 1, Lamaro 1, Walsh 1, B. Williams 1, Beams 1
Best - Nicholson, Cann, Bishop
Media
Age - 03/04/1998
Football Record - R3 1998