The earliest game I know I was at was Round 1, 1970, not yet 7 years old. We played Fitzroy at the G on a Sunday! Sacreligious then but it was to accommodate a royal visit so Betty & co. could see the game. We got done.
nwonash, just FYI, that Footscray Essendon draw must have been 1979, round 4. We got thumped by Hawthorn in Rd 5, lost to North by 5 points in Rd 6, then lost to the Saints by 2 goals in Rd 7, then finally thumped the Doggies by 73 points in Rd 8 at the G!