Round 3, 1940
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 11 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 30,867
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 9.9 | 14.16 | 20.21.141 |
| Footscray | 2.3 | 9.6 | 14.10 | 15.12.102 |
Melbourne win by 39 points
Goalkickers: Norm Smith 6, Ray Wartman 3, Ron Baggott 2, Alby Rodda 2, Harold Ball 1, Percy Beames 1, Rowley Fischer 1, Maurie Gibb 1
Milestones:
First Game
Jack Atkins
The unbeaten Bulldogs travelled to the MCG having comfortably beaten the same Essendon side Melbourne had lost to in the first week of the season but with a poor record at the ground.
In a game described as "fast and scintillating" it was once again the Demon forwards who did the damage while the defence struggled to keep their opponents in check. They kicked with the wind in the first quarter, and showed more intent early than their opponents. As the quarter wore on both sides gave away numerous free kicks, but neither could kick away significantly and the Demons went into quarter time a goal in front.
Melbourne had numerous chances early in the second quarter but were unable to do more than score behinds at first and eventually Footscray took the lead. Realising that they were in trouble, Mueller was switched to the ruck and late goals to Murnane and Wartman got their side back in front before the long break.
The Demons were the better side at the start of the third quarter, attacking down the middle of the ground and kicking quick goals before Footscray reestablished themselves and swept into the lead. A tight first three quarters giving way to an avalanche of goals in the final term when the Dogs hit the wall 10 minutes into the quarter.
Baggott was best, along with Smith and Murnane. Atkins was a late replacement for Bill Baxter, who had injured his back at work the day before. O'Keefe was promoted to the starting side and Barassi became 19th man.
The victory took Melbourne up to second on the ladder, just percentage behind St Kilda.
Seconds
Melbourne 10.15 d. Footscray 10.8
Goals - Doherty 5, Williams 2, Berriman 2, Unknown 1
Best - Daly, Cuttriss, White
Notes
Some sources say Atkins was called in as a last minute replacement for Shane McGrath, who narrowly missed a train to the MCG. McGrath didn't debut until two weeks later.
Media
Sporting Globe - 08/05/1940
Weekly Times - 11/05/1940
Sporting Globe - 11/05/1940
Sporting Globe - 15/05/1940
Australasian - 18/05/1940
Football Record R4 1940