Round 1, 1951
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 21 April
Venue: Windy Hill
Attendance: 24,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 3.4 | 4.6 | 13.8 | 13.8.86 |
| Melbourne | 2.1 | 3.8 | 5.8 | 10.16.76 |
Essendon win by 10 points
Goalkickers: Stuart Spencer 4, Bob McKenzie 2, John Beckwith 1, Len Dockett 1, Bill Smeaton 1, Jack Thomson 1
Milestones:
First Game
John Beckwith (and first goal)
Ken Christie
Alan Daly
Ian McLean
Bob Rowse
Bill Smeaton (and first goal)
With six new players in their side the Demons started an era of rebuilding at Windy Hill and went close to pulling off a thrilling, boilover comeback victory. Their last quarter performance against the reigning premiers gave no indication that they would only win one game that season, but the third term was a better indication. The new-look Demons had held strong in the first half but were blown to shreds by the home side in the third quarter, giving the game away in the only quarter where they were really beaten.
Despite dominating the last quarter and booting 5.8 to nothing, at least three of Melbourne's forward thrusts were defused by Essendon's halfback flank Norman McDonald and despite kicking with the wind the margin was too much to overcome. First gamer Bob Rowse held John Coleman to two goals in the first half, but conceded seven for the day.
Best were Denis Cordner, McGivern and Arnold. New full-forward Bill Smeaton was lively but suffered from poor delivery from his teammates.
Seconds
Essendon 8.14 d. Melbourne 7.14
Thirds
Essendon 10.9 d. Melbourne 3.6
Notes
Smeaton likely goalled with his first kick.
Media
Labor Call - 19/04/1951
Argus - 20/04/1951
Argus - 21/04/1951
Age - 21/04/1951
Herald - 21/04/1951
Argus - 23/04/1951
Age - 23/04/1951
Football Record R2 1951