Round 16, 1921
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 3 September
Venue: Brunswick Street
Attendance: 8,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 9.8.62 |
| Melbourne | 3.4 | 4.4 | 6.6 | 9.9.63 |
Melbourne win by 1 points
Goalkickers: Harry Harker 3, Jack House 2, John Lord 2, Percy Tulloh 2
Milestones:
Nil
After nearly springing the upset of the year against Richmond a week earlier the Redlegs were so pleased with their performance that they left their side unchanged and were rewarded with a shock victory.
Fitzroy had won three matches in a row to keep their faint hopes of a September appearance alive, but the loss - coupled with Collingwood's victory elsewhere - shut the door on their season and they joined Melbourne in the "also rans" for 1921.
The quality of the match was diminished by a wind which blew across the ground and for a time kept all the play on the grandstand wing. The conditions caused more players than usual to follow the ball and ruined the contest as a spectacle.
Scores were tight all day and after a third quarter where several players came to blows, Melbourne went into the last term seven points in front. They kicked the first goal of the last to extend their lead before the Roys challenged, closing the margin again before conceding another two goals in quick succession to Harry Harker.
Melbourne looked home but the Maroons regrouped again for one last challenge - even though word had gone around the ground that Collingwood had won and they were out of finals contention. With two minutes left the margin was two points but the visitors survived one last attack and forced through a behind off hands before holding on until the bell for their first win at Brunswick Street since 1909.
Best were Farrow, Corbett and Streeter.
Seconds
Fitzroy 14.19.103 d. Melbourne 4.4.28
Lists
One point games
Media
Argus - 05/09/1921
Herald - 09/09/1921
Football Record 1921