Possibly the best performance ever by a VFL/AFL team in the home and away season occurred in round 13, 1983 when Fitzroy defeated North Melbourne at the Junction Oval.
It was more than half way through the season, with North on top of the ladder and Fitzroy third.
Fitzroy totally obliterated the Kangaroos to win 34.16.220 to 10.10.70. I’m pretty sure it was the highest winning margin ever recorded against a ladder-leading side.
The current AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou played for North Melbourne in that game, probably one he would rather forget. Ruckman Matt Rendell booted eight goals for the Lions, Mick Conlan and Bernie Quinlan seven each.
Here’s a clip showing two of Conlan’s goals:
Conlan is best remembered for kicking the winning goal in the 1986 elimination final against Essendon:
