Round 16, 1949
North Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 6 August
Venue: Arden Street
Attendance: 20,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| North Melbourne | 1.1 | 2.4 | 5.7 | 9.10.64 |
| Melbourne | 2.4 | 4.7 | 6.9 | 8.10.58 |
North Melbourne win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Adrian Dullard 2, Bob McKenzie 2, Lance Arnold 1, Eddie Craddock 1, Len Dockett 1, Len Toyne 1
Milestones:
First game
Colin Love
With their hopes of playing finals in jeopardy due to their poor percentage compared to the other teams challenging for third and fourth place, Melbourne couldn't afford a loss in the last three games of the season. The didn't do themselves any favours at Arden Street, falling narrowly short against fellow contenders North after leading at three quarter time.
The visitors had the benefit of the wind in the first quarter, and won comfortably in the air but wasted opportunities to kick goals. When the ball hit the deck North were faster and handled the ball better, but couldn't break through for more than one goal. Nevertheless they wasted Melbourne's time with the breeze, and kept the margin to nine points.
North also wasted their chance with the breeze, failing to break through a strong Melbourne defence. When they did they were inaccurate, with Spencer having four shots for 0.1. The Demons were again wasteful with the wind in the third quarter, and with the margin six points late in the quarter were unlucky not to get another goal after Dullard hit the post from the square.
Nobody scored for the first 11 minutes of the last quarter, before North got a behind. When McGrath limped off, he was replaced at full back by Donald Cordner who was also suffering an ankle injury. The home side almost immediately kicked a goal to level the scores, then a minute later went in front with another goal. They extended their lead to 12 before McKenzie and Dockett struck back to level the scores. The wind had dropped, depriving North of the advantage but they still won with a last minute goal.
Best were Rodda, Toyne and Donald Cordner. 19th man Carlton replaced McGrath (injured leg) in the last quarter, while Love was an unused reserve.
The loss knocked the Demons out of the four with a difficult match against Essendon, the side who replaced them, yet to come.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.11.95 d. North Melbourne 12.15.87
Thirds
Melbourne 6.9.45 d. North Melbourne 3.5.23
Notes
Herald gives the crowd as 15,000.
Media
Sporting Globe - 03/08/1949, 06/08/1949, 10/08/1949, 12/08/1949
Argus - 05/08/1949, 06/08/1949
Herald - 06/08/1949
Football Record - R17 1949