As part of an ongoing peek back into Uni Blues history, we recall a 1976 encounter against Reservoir Old Boys…

Before the game, Blues half-forward Michael Sleeman was walking into Reservoir Old Boys’ ground, the Barling Reserve, when two heavily tattooed supporters warned him there was no way he would finish the game.

Before the opening bounce, Sleeman’s opponent punched him. During the game, Sleeman kicked four goals before he got in the way of Reservoir ruckman Michael Bates late in the third quarter. Rather than go around Sleeman, Bates felled him; Sleeman said that the force almost knocked him out of his footy boots. He spent three-quarter time with his head bowed and his boots off, waiting to be taken to hospital, but there were no players to come off the bench. Sleeman was sent back on the ground to stand in a forward pocket. He played the opening minutes wearing no boots, only socks. For most of the quarter he was in a daze. The siren signalled victory to Reservoir by a goal, giving them a slim hope of avoiding relegation. Sleeman spent several hours in the Preston and Northcote Community Hospital. Bates was later suspended for a total of 12 matches for striking Sleeman and Blues rover Hayden Smith.

This is an extract from “Black & Blue – The Story of Football at the University of Melbourne”, available for purchase here: http://www.melbunifootball.com/news.htm