Round 3, 1953
North Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 9 May
Venue: Arden Street
Attendance: 12,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| North Melbourne | 2.4 | 6.6 | 9.8 | 12.12.84 |
| Melbourne | 2.3 | 7.6 | 9.11 | 11.17.83 |
North Melbourne win by 1 point
Goalkickers: Denis Cordner 2, Robert McKenzie 2, Bill Morrow 2, Maurie Reeves 2, Noel Clarke 1, Leigh Gloury 1, Jack Thomson 1
Milestones:
First Game
Don Williams
Last Game
Don Cameron
Alan Krause
First Goal
Leigh Gloury (2nd game)
Bill Morrow (2nd game)
Maurie Reeves (2nd game)
In a game between one of the league's two unbeaten sides and one of the two who had yet failed to register a victory the winless Demons gave North an almighty scare before falling a point short of victory.
After a tight first quarter the Demons started to run away in the second quarter, before North regrouped and retook the lead. Midway through the last quarter they looked to have done enough to head off Melbourne's challenge before the visitors surged again.
In the end the Demons only had themselves to blame, scoring five straight behinds in the last six minutes of the match - including two 'posters' - left them a point behind at the final siren.
Best were Reeves, Williams and Marquis. McLean (ankle) was replaced by Morrow in the second quarter, and Thomson (cut leg) by Krause in the third quarter.
Seconds
Melbourne 18.16 d. North Melbourne 14.9
Goalkickers - Unknown
Best - Woods, Lehmann, Lane
Thirds
Melbourne 10.6 d. North Melbourne 6.8
Lists
One point games
Media
Sun - 05/05/1953
Herald - 08/05/1953
Argus - 11/05/1953
Age - 13/05/1953
Football Record R4 1953