Round 18, 1946
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 24 August
Venue: Brunswick Street
Attendance: 19,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 2.2 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 9.11.65 |
| Melbourne | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 10.9.69 |
Melbourne win by 4 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 3, Jim Mitchell 3, Norm Smith 2, Len Dockett 1, Ernie O'Rourke 1
Milestones:
Nil
Having finally earnt their spot in the four the Demons were in danger of losing it again with a defeat at Brunswick Street, as challengers Richmond and Carlton were playing each other elsewhere at the same time.
After a fast start, including four unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes, the Demons stopped cold in the second quarter, allowing Fitzroy to level the scores at half time. After half time Fanning went into the ruck to replace the injured Mueller, and the two sides scrapped through a third term which saw just two goals kicked, leaving the Maroons a point in front at the last change. It took 25 minutes of play and two minutes of time-on until Fitzroy kicked a goal, after which Melbourne then added their only major of the quarter.
For the third week in a row the Demons were forced to come from behind at the last change, but the win was crucial in sealing their spot in the top four. Again the two sides struggled to gain goals in the last quarter, and after their defence had done solid work to hold Melbourne out it took almost 15 minutes for Fitzroy to kick their first. With eight minutes to go the home side led by nine points, but two late goals got the victory and meant that they were certain of a finals position barring a major disaster in their last match.
In the midst of crucial last few minutes Fitzroy's Frank Curcio was felled in a contest and when the ball was kicked back into the Melbourne forward line Fred Fanning was unable to mark it as he was attending to the injured player.
Best were Rodda, Rule and McGrath. Bell replaced Dowsing (injured leg) in the first quarter, and F. Kennedy replaced Mueller (groin injury) at half time.
The Premiers of Victoria (Mr. Cain) and Western Australia (Mr. Wise) were present at the match.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.19 d. Fitzroy 8.14
Goals - Kennedy 6, Unknown 8
Media
Sporting Globe - 21/08/1946
Sporting Globe - 24/08/1946
Sporting Globe - 28/08/1946
Football Record R19 1946