Round 1, 1924
St. Kilda vs Melbourne
Saturday 26 April
Venue: Junction Oval
Attendance: 15,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| St. Kilda | 1.2 | 4.7 | 8.10 | 12.12.84 |
| Melbourne | 2.8 | 5.11 | 10.11 | 11.16.82 |
St Kilda win by 2 points
Goalkickers: Dave Elliman 6, Percy Tulloh 2, Edgar Dunbar 1, George Haines 1, Derek Mollison 1
Milestones:
First Game
Johnny Egan
Last Game
Joe Flanagan
First Game as Coach
Gordon Rattray
Melbourne started as favourites against the eventual wooden-spooners but fell agonisingly short in a thrilling match. Despite a strong performance in the ruck by Bob Corbett he was let down by his fellow centremen, with Alf Wilson in particular given a bath on the wing after a late start to training due to cricket commitments.
The visitors had a more settled side, with just one new recruit added while St Kilda had three including ex-Fuschia Harry Tampling. Despite conceding the first goal they dominated the first quarter with the wind but converted poorly with two goals from 10 scoring shots. Even then one of them came from a free after Elliman was infringed against.
Another goal from a free, this time to Tulloh, got Melbourne off to a good start in the second quarter. Their accuracy was improved and they extended their margin to 10 at the half.
Both teams peaked in the third quarter and Melbourne further extended their lead with a five goal to four term - with four of the majors coming through Elliman. Melbourne got the first two on either of St Kilda behinds, before the locals got three in a row to take the lead. The Reds rallied to retake the lead, and only a late St Kilda goal kept them in touch at 13 points behind.
St Kilda got goals in the first two minutes of the last quarter to slash the margin to a point. In the dying minutes Elliman had the chance to seal the result, but his miss left the Saints four points behind with less a minute to play. They went down the other end and snatched victory with the last kick of the game.
Field umpire Jack McMurray was quoted as saying it was one of the "most pleasant matches" he had ever officiated and he dished out 54 free kicks to St Kilda and 31 to Melbourne on the day. The day was less pleasant for the father of St Kilda player W. Cubbins who suffered a heart attack in the crowd during the exciting finish and later passed away.
Melbourne's best were Mollison, Tulloh and Donaldson.
Seconds
Melbourne 13.19 d. St Kilda 10.4
Goals - Parker 6, Davis 4, Atknson 2, Bowman 1
Best - Robertson, Parker, Brownbill
Media
Sporting Globe - 26/04/1924
Argus - 28/04/1924
News - 13/05/1924
Football Record R2 1924