The year is 1981. Malcolm Fraser is Prime Minister of Australia. Future premiership captain Cameron Ling is born and Trevor Chappell bowls the infamous underarm delivery against New Zealand.
In round six of the VFL season, Geelong and Melbourne play, but the game isn’t at the MCG or Kardinia Park. Instead both sides travel to Sydney to play at the SCG.
The two teams were taking the game to Sydney as the VFL attempted to expand the game into NSW.
Interestingly, it isn’t the first time that Geelong has travelled to the SCG and not played a Sydney-based team. They hosted Carlton at the ground back in 1903 and won by 10 points.
The Cats led by four points at quarter time before kicking into gear in the second term and booting 10 goals to five to extend the lead out to 37 points at the main break.
Geelong added another four goals in the third quarter before a six goal to four final quarter sealed a 49-point victory over the Demons and kept Geelong’s SCG record at 2-0 as the home team.
The game was highlighted by a blow-up between Brent Crosswell and Melbourne coach Ron Barassi, resulting in Croswell storming off the field and into the dressing room.
Tommy Floyd had a game-high 36 disposals, while Terry Bright kicked five goals. Ruckman John Mossop was close to best on ground with 18 disposals, seven marks and 43 hit-outs.
For Melbourne, Mark ‘Jacko’ Jackson kicked five goals and Garry Baker collected 29 disposals and 14 marks.
Geelong went on to finish third on the ladder with 16 wins and six losses and made it through to the preliminary final before suffering a heartbreaking seven-point loss to Collingwood.
Melbourne only managed to win the one game for the year and finished bottom of the ladder.
Geelong 2.7 12.13 16.18 22.21 (153)
Melbourne 2.3 7.6 12.7 16.8 (104)
Goals
Geelong – Bright 5, King, Reynoldson 3, Lunn, Taylor 2, Floyd, B Nankervis, Preston, Mossop, Witcombe, Bruns, Featherby
Melbourne – Jackson 5, Catoggio 3, Healy 2, Moir, Gaunt, Martyn, O’Donnell, Bickford, Keenan
