Round 16, 1939
Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 12 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 9413
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.5 | 13.11 | 19.13 | 22.16.148 |
| Geelong | 2.6 | 2.9 | 10.11 | 13.17.95 |
Melbourne win by 53 points
Goalkickers: Norm Smith 7, Harold Ball 4, Percy Beames 4, Les Jones 2, Alby Rodda 2, Ron Baggott 1, Allan La Fontaine 1, Jack O'Keefe 1
Milestones:
Last game
Harry Harley
Geelong hadn't won an away game all year, but they'd only lost one at home - against Melbourne - so despite their good record against the Demons at the MCG the odds were stacked against them.
Despite this they won three quarters for the day on a heavy ground, but Melbourne's second term avalanche where they kicked 11.6 to 0.3 beat them on its own. It remains the biggest winning margin by a team who won just one quarter for the day.
The visitors were the better side as Melbourne struggled to come to terms with the conditions early. Geelong had 2.3 on board before Melbourne scored, but as the Reds became more comfortable on the glue pot surface they piled on 11 unanswered goals before half time.
Even with a nine goal margin it was still an unconvincing victory. Geelong fought the game out well and won the last two quarters to leave Melbourne with plenty to think about with the finals just around the corner. The Demons still remained 7% clear of second placed Collingwood, and a game plus 8% in front of third placed Richmond.
Smith, Ball and Emselle were best. Harley replaced the injured Wartman in the last quarter.
Jack O'Keefe played in the number 12 usually worn by Jack Mueller.
Seconds
Melbourne 10.12 d. Geelong 9.14
Notes
Sporting Globe shows the crowd as 9449.
Media
Sporting Globe - 12/08/1939
Australasian - 19/08/1939
Football Record R17 1939