Round 16, 1955
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 6 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 49,352
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.9 | 7.14 | 10.19 | 16.23.119 |
| Essendon | 0.4 | 3.7 | 3.10 | 7.12.54 |
Melbourne win by 65 points
Goalkickers: Robert B Johnson 5, Laurie Mithen 3, Ron Barassi 2, Bob McKenzie 2, Ian Ridley 2, Clyde Laidlaw 1, Stuart Spencer 1
Milestones:
50 Games
Peter Marquis
Melbourne's position as one of the flag favourites was in serious doubt after a mid-season slump, and a loss to the red-hot Bombers who had won seven of their last eight, might have seen them a chance of missing out on a double chance. The Demons proceeded to make a statement against the league's form side, despite another week where they were woefully inaccurate in front of goal.
Inaccuracy aside, Melbourne were the far superior team in attack and across most of the ground. Denis Cordner thrashed Essendon's Gill in the ruck, and he was ably assisted at ground level by ruck/rover Ron Barassi. The Bomber defence soon cracked under the pressure.
Essendon had battled back into fourth place, but the loss again knocked them out of a finals place. Melbourne correctly identified ruckman John Gill and rover Bill Hutchinson as the players who had been at the heart of Essendon's revival over the previous fortnight and both were beaten comfortably.
Norm Smith said "Our overall strength, pace and evenness enabled us to answer anything Essendon could produce". He claimed the spell he gave his side from training on Tuesday and the easy night they'd had on Thursday had helped them come out fresh. Essendon's Dick Reynolds simply said "The Demons gave us a football lesson. They were just too good and we have no excuses."
Best were Denis Cordner, Robert B Johnson and Laurie Mithen. McLean (cramp/bruised shoulder) was replaced by Adams. Cordner received a bruised calf. Trevor Johnson was the other reserve.
Melbourne's highest score against Essendon for 14 years left them level on points with Collingwood and Geelong, but with the Cats significantly behind the top two on percentage.
Seconds
Essendon 8.19 d. Melbourne 6.7
Goals - Germaine 2, Bull 1, Hamilton 1, Kick 1, Webster 1
Best - Waldron, Clarke, Carroll
Thirds
Essendon 9.6 d. Melbourne 6.11
Media
Argus - 02/08/1955
Argus - 05/08/1955
Argus - 06/08/1955
Argus - 08/08/1955
Argus - 08/08/1955
Age - 08/08/1955
Argus - 08/08/1955
Football Record R17 1955