Round 1, 1920
Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Saturday 1 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 8230
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.3 | 5.7 | 7.10 | 9.13.67 |
| South Melbourne | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 8.7.55 |
Melbourne win by 12 points
Goalkickers: Bill Shelton 2, Charlie Streeter 2, Eric Tonkin 2, Bert Chadwick 1, Jack House 1, Jack Huntington 1
Milestones:
First game
Mick Anthony
Bert Chadwick
Bob Corbett
Syd Hutcheson
Charlie Streeter
First goal
Bert Chadwick
Charlie Streeter
First Game as Coach
Gerald Brosnan
After the Fuschias failed to win a game in the entire 1919 season, new coach Brosnan tasted success on debut. It was Melbourne's first victory since late 1915.
In front of a small crowd made up mostly of South supporters, it was Melbourne's first win against them at the MCG since 1908. The visitors never showed any of the excellent form they'd displayed in 1919 and Melbourne surprised them with skilful, quick football which helped them run away with the game after quarter time.
The home side's poor kicking for goal cost them the chance to finish the game before three quarter time, and South came home strongly to make a contest of the match in the last quarter. They got within four points, aided by a howler from full back Grey which gifted them a goal, before the Redlegs recovered to kick the last two goals of the day.
Best were Haines, Brake and Chadwick.
Seconds
Leopold 7.10 d. Melbourne 6.10
Goals - Elliman 2, Forness 2, Taylor 2
Best - Lyte, Lord, Bruce
Media
Argus - 03/05/1920
Football Record - R2 1920