Round 19, 1946
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Saturday 31 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 18,257
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 8.5 | 13.7 | 17.11.113 |
| North Melbourne | 1.0 | 7.5 | 8.8 | 11.10.76 |
Melbourne win by 37 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 5, Ernie O'Rourke 2, Alby Rodda 2, Bill Scanlan 2, Arnold Byfield 1, Jim Mitchell 1, Jack Mueller 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Alf Copsey
Jack Quinn
Needing just to win to confirm their place in the top four the Demons seemingly made sure of the result in the first quarter against mid-table strugglers, jumping to a 28 point at the first change of ends. North held them out for the first few minutes, before Rodda's snap opened the scoring. A late goal on the rebound extended the margin to nearly five goals. They were winning well, but the absence of Norm Smith was hurting the structure of their forward line.
North flashed back into the game with 6.5 in the second term to cut the gap to a goal at the long break. Fanning replied to their two goals at the start of the term, but the quicker looking North forced their way back into the game. It wouldn't have mattered in the end as Richmond were unable to beat Essendon, but the Demons picked up again before half time to take a lead into the long break.
Best were Mitchell, McGrath and Dockett. Unused 19th and 20th men were Copsey and Quinn in their last games. Smith (ill) and Rule (injured leg) were replaced in the selected side by Scanlan and Rowarth.
Seconds
Melbourne 8.13 d. North Melbourne 3.7
Media
Age - 30/08/1946
Sporting Globe - 31/08/1946
Herald - 02/09/1946
Football Record Finals Week 1 1946