Round 1, 1946
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 20 April
Venue: Punt Road
Attendance: 18,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 8.2 | 15.5 | 15.9 | 20.17.137 |
| Geelong | 2.6 | 7.11 | 8.13 | 12.19.91 |
Melbourne win by 46 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 6, Norm Wilson 5, Jack Mueller 3, Jack Quinn 3, George Bickford 1, Billy Deans 1, Adrian Dullard 1
Milestones:
MFC Debut
Jack Quinn
First Goal
George Bickford
Still trapped at Punt Road with the military occupying the MCG even after the end of World War II, Melbourne started their first full peacetime campaign since 1938 with an easy win over the visiting Pivotonians.
They had an advantage with more experience in the ruck and forward line, an eight goal to two first quarter was the difference between the two sides. They kicked away again in the second, but Geelong were more balanced in scoring five goals along with the seven conceded.
Despite only managing four behinds in the third quarter the Demons kicked their highest ever Round 1 score to that point courtesy of a five goal final term.
Bickford, Smith and Dowsing were best. McLean (ankle) was replaced by Scanlan at three-quarter time.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.18 d. Geelong 12.8
Media
"Melbourne sparkle" - The Argus 22/04/1946
Football Record R2 1946