Round 12, 1938
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 9 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 20,185
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 11.8.74 |
| Geelong | 3.2 | 7.5 | 11.12 | 13.14.92 |
Geelong win by 18 points
Goalkickers: Norm Smith 4, Ron Baggott 2, Ron Barassi 2, Percy Beames 1, Ted Buckley 1, Rowley Fischer 1
Milestones:
Nil
Having found themselves outside the top four for the first time in weeks after two consecutive losses, Melbourne needed a win to keep themselves solidly in the hunt for a finals spot.
Having beaten Geelong on their own turf in the first match of the season, Melbourne had some confidence of a similar result at the MCG but after leading at half-time they played a sluggish second half and and were beaten.
The visitors didn't have all their own way, Melbourne played sound football early in the match despite the middle of the ground being in an almost unplayable condition. Melbourne tired as the strain of playing in the gluepot took its toll, and eventually the Pivotonians overhauled them.
Melbourne took the lead into quarter time when Ron Baggott marked and goalled ten seconds before the bell. They retained their lead through the second quarter, and opened the third with two quick goals to Baggott before the visitors struck back furiously.
Geelong's big men and centres were much more accomplished playing through the tough conditions in the middle of the ground, while Melbourne were more often than not forced to take the long way around the wings. Once they did go forward their target was usually Norm Smith, and his success indirectly hurt their chances of winning as Geelong's Reg Hickey was moved off him in the second half and played a big part in their success as a follower from then on.
Geelong peppered the goals in the third quarter, but were inaccurate and it took them five behinds to register a goal which put them in front. They added two more before the end of the quarter to take a comfortable lead as their opponents started to wane.
Geelong's win allowed them to leapfrog Richmond and Melbourne into fourth, leaving the Tigers and Demons in fifth and sixth respectively. Melbourne were still equal on wins with the other two, but their difficult run home stacked the odds against them qualifying for the four.
Lock, Wartman and Barassi were best. Harley was 19th man.
Seconds
Geelong 16.16 d. Melbourne 7.7
Goals - Fanning 3, Neenan 2, Barton 1, Gibb 1
Best - Neenan, Meehl, Gibb
Notes
Football Record shows Melbourne's Seconds score as 6.7
Media
Herald - 08/07/1938
Argus - 08/07/1938
Sporting Globe - 09/07/1938
Football Record 1938 Interstate Match
The Argus - 11/07/1938