Round 17, 1941
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 23 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 11,232
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.4 | 9.9 | 15.11 | 17.20.122 |
| Footscray | 3.5 | 9.6 | 12.8 | 16.9.105 |
Melbourne win by 17 points
Goalkickers: Norm Smith 12, Jack Mueller 2, Ron Baggott 1, Adrian Dullard 1, Ray Wartman 1
Milestones:
Nil
Melbourne's tenth win in a row, and their league record equalling ninth consecutive score of over a hundred points, had much to do with the heroics of Norm Smith. The Demon spearhead kicked 12.10, with seven at half time, and 11 at three-quarter time.
The teams attacked in contrasting ways, Footscray going via the wings while Melbourne played through La Fontaine in the centre and aimed for Smith up forward. The Melbourne spearhead troubled the opposition defence with his long leads and safe marking. Each side had eight scoring shots in the first quarter, finishing with Melbourne five points up.
Footscray opened the second term better, and after a number of attacks were held out they finally took the lead with the first goal. The sides traded goals before Smith's six and seventh restored Melbourne's narrow lead at the break. Led by Smith's four goals Melbourne finally started to work out a decent lead, as much as 28 points ahead late in the term before Footscray kicked a behind and a goal.
Despite Smith's dominance it took until the last quarter the Demons to shake off their determined challengers. In the last quarter when the game was all but won he racked up several of his behinds as teammates tried to set him up to extend his goal tally.
Best were Smith, La Fontaine and Hingston. Lewis was unused 19th man.
Seconds
Footscray 16.24 d. Melbourne 11.8
Lists
10 goals
Media
Age - 25/08/1941
Sporting Globe - 23/08/1941