Round 1, 1949
Geelong vs Melbourne
Saturday 16 April
Venue: Kardinia Park
Attendance: 25,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Geelong | 7.3 | 9.8 | 17.13 | 21.19.145 |
| Melbourne | 5.1 | 10.3 | 11.3 | 12.11.83 |
Geelong win by 62 points
Goalkickers: Denis Cordner 3, Eddie Craddock 3, Bob McKenzie 3, Adrian Dullard 2, Noel McMahen 1
Milestones:
First game as coach
Allan La Fontaine
The 1948 premiers travelled for their first game of the new season under a new coach and were soundly beaten. They started well, with the first goal through Eddie Craddock and two more before Geelong got their first major. When they did it was the cue to overrun their visitors, kicking seven of the next nine before quarter time.
Melbourne steadied in the second term, but after leading by a point at the break they conceded eight goals to one in the third term. They conceded the opening goal at the start of the third term and were never ahead again. Four more goals to one in the last quarter set up a big win. Geelong's Lindsay White had a tally of 8.9 at three-quarter time, totally eclipsing champion full-back Shane McGrath. He only added one more goal in the last quarter, but it was a match winning performance.
Best were Denis Cordner, Heywood and Dockett. Hanna replaced Arnold in the last quarter.
Seconds
Melbourne 15.17 d. Geelong 9.10
Thirds
Geelong 16.8.104 d. Melbourne 11.4.70
Media
Argus - 16/04/1949
Herald - 16/04/1949
Football Record R1 1949