Round 16, 1952
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 9 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 17,241
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.6 | 4.8 | 9.14 | 15.17.107 |
| Footscray | 3.2 | 6.3 | 8.7 | 8.12.60 |
Melbourne win by 47 points
Goalkickers: Noel Clarke 5, Bob McKenzie 4, Alan Krause 3, John Beckwith 1, Eddie Jackson 1, Geoff McGivern 1
Milestones:
Nil
The speedy Bulldogs pressed until half time but saw Melbourne overtake them after the long break and keep their slim finals hopes alive.
The ruck department had been dominant in the first half but their rovers hadn't come to the party. The visitors took a narrow lead into quarter time with the last two goals of the term, and while Melbourne's first attacks of the second quarter were repelled they eventually broke through for the first goal through Clarke. He got the next goal as well courtesy of his side's aerial superiority. Three quick goals by the Dogs gave them a seven point lead. They got the first of the third quarter too before Melbourne fought back, kicking the last three goals to cut the margin to seven at the last change.
Melbourne came out of the three-quarter time huddle and continued their dominance. Four goals in a row to open the quarter killed the contest. Footscray fought back but were left with too much to do.
It was Melbourne's first century score for the year.
Best were McKenzie, Collins and McMahon. Johnson replaced McKenzie and Whittaker replaced Beckwith both in the last quarter.
The news from elsewhere was good for the Demons. Carlton lost to Essendon by a point and South Melbourne suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Hawthorn, meaning that if Melbourne could topple them the next week they would draw level on points - and with only a small percentage gap between the two sides could even pass them.
Seconds
Footscray 11.20 d. Melbourne 11.14
Goals - Mueller 6, Unknown 5
Thirds
Melbourne 9.12 d. Footscray 8.6
Notes
Sporting Globe shows the crowd as 17,421
Media
Sun - 08/08/1952
Argus - 08/12/1952, 08/12/1952,11/08/1952
Sporting Globe - 09/08/1952
Football Record - R17 1952