Round 3, 1946
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 4 May
Venue: Windy Hill
Attendance: 17,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 10.5 | 12.8 | 18.11 | 21.15.141 |
| Melbourne | 2.1 | 6.7 | 7.10 | 12.13.85 |
Essendon win by 56 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 4, Norm Wilson 3, Billy Deans 2, Ron Hall 1, Ivan Porter 1, Stan Rule 1
Milestones:
First Game
Stan Rule (and first goal)
Last Game
Dick Hingston
First Goal
Ron Hall (8th game)
Playing for their first three wins in a row to open a season since 1937 the Demons started badly at Windy Hill and were soundly beaten. Essendon had first use of the wind and stormed to a 10 goal opening quarter. The pacier home side kept the ball moving instead of playing into Melbourne's preferred long kicking game.
Melbourne won the second and fourth quarters, but Essendon used their speed and aerial advantage to open an unassailable margin by three quarter time. A further six goals to one in the third won them the game.
Essendon's ten goal blast to open the match, and another with the wind in the third quarter was the difference between the two teams. They won with a speed and aerial advantage.
Cordner, McGrath and Lock were best.
Seconds
Essendon 16.20 d. Melbourne 16.16
Media
Herald - 03/05/1946
Age - 06/05/1946
Football Record R4 1946