Round 18, 1958
Footscray vs Melbourne
Saturday 23 August
Venue: Western Oval
Attendance: 21,132
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Footscray | 0.1 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 8.11.59 |
| Melbourne | 4.6 | 6.8 | 9.14 | 10.18.78 |
Melbourne win by 19 points
Goalkickers: Ian Ridley 5, Athol Webb 2, Ron Barassi 1, Ian McLean 1, Geoff Tunbridge 1
Milestones:
Last MFC game
Kevin Mithen
The Demons had nothing to play for at the Western Oval, with top spot already sewn up, but after a rocky month featuring two thrilling wins, one close loss and a single convincing victory they needed a confidence boost before their campaign for a fourth straight flag kicked off.
They weren't overly convincing, but the damage was done in the first quarter when they raced to a 29 point lead with the breeze. Unlike the Bulldogs they kicked two goals into the breeze, then restricted the home side to two points in the third term. Footscray came home strongly with the use of the wind, but after they kicked four goals in a row the Demons held them at bay.
Best were Ridley, Williams and McLean. Bob Johnson was replaced by Jones after suffering a jarred spine in the third quarter, and Tunbridge by Kevin Mithen in the final term.
Seconds
Melbourne 13.18 d. Footscray 3.8
Goals - Wilkinson 6, Brenchley 2, Atkinson 2
Best - Brenchley, Gleeson, Kerr
Notes
Match reports at the time say Johnson tore knee ligaments, but later reports suggest the jarred spine.
Media
Age - 25/08/1958
Football Record - 1958 Finals