Round 1, 1953
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday 18 April
Venue: Punt Road
Attendance: 18,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 3.2 | 4.4 | 9.6 | 11.7.73 |
| Melbourne | 1.3 | 3.8 | 5.8 | 9.13.67 |
Richmond win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Dale Anderson 3, Bob McKenzie 2, Jack Thomson 2, Alan Krause 1, Jim Wilson 1
Milestones:
First game
Dale Anderson (and first goal)
Leigh Gloury
Peter Marquis
Ken Melville
50 Games
Geoff McGivern
Jack Thomson
In their first premiership match after an encouraging 1952 campaign the Demons gave Richmond a scare despite fielding four first gamers, but couldn't quite complete a stirring last quarter comeback.
The Tigers had been the better side all day, with Melbourne's forwards unable to capitalise on their opportunities, and when they led by four goals at the last change it was a fair margin. Melbourne stormed back in the last quarter and got the margin back to three points before Richmond steadied.
Best were Spencer, McGivern and Albiston. Leigh Gloury was 19th man and played in the last quarter. Peter Marquis was an unused 20th man.
Seconds
Richmond 12.11 d. Melbourne 10.16
Thirds
Melbourne 8.21 d. Richmond 6.11
Media
Herald - 17/04/1953
Argus - 17/04/1953
Argus - 18/04/1953
Age - 18/04/1953
Age - 20/04/1953
Weekly Times - 22/04/1953
Football Record R2 1953