Round 1 1971

Round 1, 1971
Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Saturday, 3 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 28,727

Melbourne win by 105 points

Goalkickers: Barry Bourke 3, Lloyd Burgmann 3, Paul Callery 3, John Gallus 3, John Townsend 3, Graham Molloy 2, Greg Parke 2, Ray Carr 1, Peter Keenan 1, George Lakes 1, Robert McKenzie 1, Greg Wells 1

Milestones:
First Game
John Gallus

First Goal
John Gallus

Ian Ridley's senior coaching debut saw him tackle his former mentor Norm Smith, and he got the better of the legend with a massive first up victory.

Smith had taken the Swans to their first finals series in years in 1970 but they were disappointing in practice matches, and pulverised in the first home and away game.

From start to finish the Demons dominated South all around the ground. Big men Keenan, Molloy and first gamer John Gallus were dominant and both Paul Callery and Denis Clark were big winners in the centre.

At the final siren the Melbourne fans gave Tiger Ridley a standing ovation, and with only four 100 game players in the side there was optimism that they could push for the finals in 1971.

Best afield for the Demons were Clark, Callery, Alves and Molloy.

The score is the Demons 20th highest score in VFL/AFL football.

Lists
Highest Scores
100pt wins

Media
"Demons in mood to beat Swans" - The Age 03/04/1971
"Young Demons in masterly lesson" - The Age 05/04/1971