Round 15, 1925
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 29 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 11,364
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.2 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 10.9.69 |
| Footscray | 6.7 | 7.10 | 9.13 | 9.13.67 |
Melbourne win by 2 points
Goalkickers: Harry Davie 3, Bert Chadwick 1, Bob Corbett 1, Col Deane 1, Hugh Dunbar 1, Harry Moyes 1, Percy Tulloh 1, Stan Wittman 1
Milestones:
Nil
A week after booting 13 in Melbourne's huge victory over Carlton, Harry Davie was once again the Reds' hero as his goals helped carry his side over the line in Footscray's first visit to the MCG as a VFL club.
It took a stirring comeback in the last quarter for Melbourne to win, helped by it being the second consecutive week they held their opponents goalless in the final term. Even then they had to defend after kicking three goals in the first five minutes of the quarter to stay a game and a half inside the top four - and half a game in front of third placed Collingwood in the battle for the double chance.
Footscray had won three games in their debut season, but against one of the league's better teams it was their best performance. In the end Melbourne's experience - and gun full forward - saw them over the line.
For a supposed premiership contender Melbourne's form was not up to the usual standard in the first three quarters, they were beaten for pace and lost in marking contests. They were one goal worse off after an 11 goal first quarter, and the sides split two majors in the second half before Footscray took the lead in the third.
After flattering their supporters for three quarters the Tricolours began to crumble under pressure early in the last quarter when they started adopting defensive tactics. Umpiring decisions also went against them as two infringements in front of goals were ignored during the term. Captain Bert Chadwick made an important tactical shift by moving Bob Corbett into the ruck for the last quarter and he was one of the driving forces behind the comeback.
The three goals in a row cut the margin to under a goal, but Melbourne gradually drew level then took the lead with behinds. Two at the end to Davie and Mollison proving crucial.
Thomas, Deane and Corbett were best.
Seconds
Footscray 8.8 d. Melbourne 4.8
Goals - Unknown
Best - Unknown
Notes
The Argus lists the crowd as 13,900.
Media
Age - 31/08/1925
Argus - 31/08/1925
Sporting Globe - 02/09/1925
Football Record R16 1925