Round 18, 1923
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 15 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 9414
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.6 | 7.8 | 9.14 | 11.21.87 |
| Collingwood | 5.2 | 10.5 | 15.9 | 21.12.138 |
Collingwood win by 51 points
Goalkickers: Percy Tulloh 3, Jimmy Abernethy 2, Dave Elliman 2, George Haines 2, Mick Anthony 1, Richard Taylor 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Jim Makin
Last MFC Game
Eric Peck
Last Game as Coach
Percy Wilson
Needing a win to have a chance of avoiding finishing last the Redlegs found themselves up against a foe who were about to suffer the rare indignity of not playing finals football.
With nothing to play for other than pride defense was not high on the agenda, and the Pies gave away a slight lead at the first change before running over the top of their opponents after quarter time. 11 goals to four after that point ended the contest and condemed Melbourne to another wooden spoon.
On a greasy ground the Magpies good kicking for goal (their score contained two rushed behinds) was the difference in getting them over the line. Coventry and Makesham were the best with five goals each.
Corbett, Haines and Chadwick were Melbourne's best. Richmond's eight point loss against Fitzroy meant that if Melbourne had won they'd have just avoided the wooden spoon on percentage, but as it was they were condemned to their fourth bottom of the league finish.
Seconds (Played Saturday 25 August)
Collingwood 18.11 d. Melbourne 9.7
Media
"Bright open game" - Sporting Globe 19/09/1923
Football Record Finals 1923