Round 15, 1936
Hawthorn vs Melbourne
Saturday 15 August
Venue: Glenferrie Oval
Attendance: 10,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Hawthorn | 3.0 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 9.8.62 |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 10.7 | 13.8 | 17.10.112 |
Melbourne win by 50 points
Goalkickers: Ron Baggott 4, Lou Reiffel 4, Eric Glass 3, Les Jones 3, Jack Foster 1, John Lewis 1
Milestones:
Last MFC game
Archie Roberts
50 games
Allan La Fontaine
Consecutive losses had dropped the Demons out of the top four, leaving them needing to keep winning to stay in the running for a finals berth. They were boosted by the return of La Fontaine, Mueller and Lewis. After a tough first quarter where they were challenged by the home side, the percentage gained from a comfortable win helped oust Richmond from the four and put Melbourne's destiny back in their own hands.
In the first quarter, a dominant performance on the wing by Pat McNamara helped cancel out Hawthorn's dominance on the other flank and in the centre. He was the catalyst for most of Melbourne's attacks, and helped them to a nine point lead at the first break. Hawthorn tried short passing to counter Melbourne's weight and strength advantages, but were regularly bustled off the ball. Despite a tricky cross wind the visitors took a nine point lead into the break.
From quarter time the Demons gradually gained superiority by dominating the air. They had to break through dogged defence by Hawthorn, but the home side was unable to capitalise with attacks of their own and went into the half 35 points down. Frank Roberts had been dominant in defence, holding Hawthorn at bay several times.
Hawthorn tried to nullify Melbourne's marking advantage with their short kicking after half time, but a combination of the wind and a strong attack negated the tactic. The margin was gradually extended to an even 50 points.
The game was played in heavy wind and driving rain, described in one source as "perhaps the worst conditions this season". Head trained Fred Pleass was injured when he was knocked into the fence by a collision with Jack Mueller, it left him with a bruised leg and injured shoulder.
Best were Frank Roberts, Pat McNamara and Lou Reiffel. Deague was 19th man.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.26 d. Hawthorn 4.14
Media
Herald - 14/08/1936
Herald - 14/08/1936
Age - 17/08/1936
Herald - 17/08/1936
Argus - 17/08/1936
Herald - 17/08/1936
Labor Call - 20/08/1936
Football Record R16 1936