Round 17, 1939
South Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 19 August
Venue: Lake Oval
Attendance: 5000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| South Melbourne | 3.3 | 6.5 | 10.8 | 11.14.80 |
| Melbourne | 2.3 | 6.5 | 9.9 | 12.12.84 |
Melbourne win by 4 points
Goalkickers: Ron Baggott 3, Percy Beames 2, Rowley Fischer 2, Norm Smith 2, Harold Ball 1, Les Jones 1, Alby Rodda 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Ted Buckley
First against last on the premiership table didn't look like much of a contest on paper, but other than their 107 point capitulation against Melbourne earlier in the season South had pushed a few other top four fancies to the line during the year and almost succeeded in pulling off the upset of the season.
South were assisted by fierce winds, and a quagmire of a ground which slowed their much fancied opponents to a crawl and ruined the match as a spectacle. Melbourne showed no ability to adapt to the conditions, fumbling, overrunning the ball and mis-kicking throughout the match.
Guarding a five point lead going into the last change South pushed another goal in front and looked good for the shock win before an injury left them with just 17 men on the field and Melbourne took advantage to kick two goals and win narrowly.
Wally Lock was one of Melbourne's best on his return from a month long injury until he injured his ankle.
Collingwood also scraped over the line in their match against Hawthorn, leaving the race for the minor premiership open going into the last game of the year. Melbourne just had to win against Fitzroy, or defend a 5% percentage lead to finish first.
Seconds
Melbourne 13.16 d. South Melbourne 7.12
Goals - Fanning 5, Gibb 3, Symonds 2, Murnane 1, Barassi 1, Neenan 1
Best - Barassi, Williams, Murnane
Media
Age - 18/08/1939
Football Record R18 1939
Age - 21/08/1939
Herald - 21/08/1939
Weekly Times - 26/08/1939