Round 10, 1944
Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Saturday 8 July
Venue: Punt Road
Attendance: 10,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 10.10.70 |
| South Melbourne | 3.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 9.13.67 |
Melbourne win by 3 points
Goalkickers: Percy Beames 2, Esmond Downey 2, Ivan Porter 2, Lloyd Bennett 1, Fred Fanning 1, Hughie McPherson 1, Jack Mueller 1
Milestones:
First Game
Tony Bizzaca
Ivan Porter (and first goal)
First Goal
Lloyd Bennett (4th game)
With the threat of being excluded from the second part of the season for finishing in the bottom two at the end of Round 11 off the cards after a change by the league, the Demons broke through for a victory to keep them away from the bottom of the ladder.
For the first time in weeks Fred Fanning wasn't the only multiple goalkicker, and while he only booted one there were three others who kicked two each.'
South had the chance to bury the game in the second quarter but spurned multiple chances to kick goals. They came back at the Demons again in the last quarter but fell just short, seriously damaging their chances of playing in the finals.
Fred Fanning lined up on South full-back Jim Cleary twice in the weekend, playing on him the next day for the League 18 in a game against the RAAF the next day.
Seconds
South Melbourne 21.15 d. Melbourne 9.13
Media
Herald - 05/07/1944
Football Record R11 1944