Round 1, 1958
Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 12 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 38,006
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.1 | 7.3 | 10.7 | 11.13.79 |
| Carlton | 2.1 | 3.5 | 5.9 | 9.11.65 |
Melbourne win by 14 points
Goalkickers: Ian Ridley 5, Robert B Johnson 3, Geoff Case 1, Neil Crompton 1, Athol Webb 1
Milestones:
First Goal
Neil Crompton (2nd game)
50 Games
Keith Carroll
Melbourne had been traditionally poor in the first round when opening the season after a premiership, but in 1958 they managed to win without much fuss. After the premiership pennant was unfurled the Demons got down to business, and had opened a match winning lead by three quarter time.
Without first choice players Peter Marquis, John Lord and Ian Thorogood, the Demons had to withstand a belated comeback with the breeze in the last quarter. On an unusually warm day Carlton cut the margin from 28 points to a goal while down the other end the Demons were only booting points but the visitors had left themselves too much to do.
A Geoff Tunbridge intercept and pass to rover Ian Ridley brought up Ridley's fifth goal and steadied the Demons who then held on to win easily.
Best were Beckwith, Williams and Ridley. Ron Barassi was a withdrawal from the selected side with a toe injury, replaced by Graeme Pinfold. Williams (cramp) was replaced by Brenchley during the last quarter.
To celebrate the club's centenary season the coin tossed by captain John Beckwith before the match was mounted and presented to the club by the VFL.
Seconds
Carlton 15.10 d. Melbourne 10.17
Goals - Wilkinson 5, Davis 1, Evans 1, Vurlow 1, Ferguson 1, Cunningham 1
Best - Crameri, Vurlow, Lord
Thirds
Carlton 8.8 d. Melbourne 1.8
Goal - Anderson
Best - McLeod, Avery, Steel
Media
"Demons survive fierce fight-back by Blues" - The Age 14/04/1958
Football Record R2 1958
Links
Blueseum match report