Round 3, 1959
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 9 May
Venue: Brunswick Street
Attendance: 20,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 2.5 | 9.6 | 12.8 | 13.9.87 |
| Melbourne | 1.2 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 11.8.74 |
Fitzroy win by 13 points
Goalkickers: Laurie Mithen 6, Ron Barassi 1, Peter Brenchley 1, Terry Gleeson 1, Clyde Laidlaw 1, Geoff Tunbridge 1
Milestones:
100 games
Ron Barassi
50 games
Terry Gleeson
Compared to their successes elsewhere in recent years, the Demons had a poor record at Brunswick Street, and they suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Lions, who had been forced by injury to recast every line in their team.
Injuries which forced key players John Lord and Alan Rowarth didn't help, but Melbourne were poor for three quarters, uncharacteristically fumbling and making errors while Fitzroy played quick and skilful football. The Maroons dominated for the first three quarters and opened up an eight goal lead before Melbourne started playing. They used local knowledge, playing around the wing that gave their forwards best advantage in the wind, while the visitors often left their teammates kicking into the crtosswind.
Laurie Mithen was the architect of Melbourne's comeback, kicking all six of his goals in the last quarter. A burst of five goals in ten minutes was more than they'd managed for the rest of the game and it drew the Demons to just 13 points behind. Fitzroy then held out for a scoreless eight minutes before conceding Mithen's sixth to cut the gap to seven.
From there Fitzroy steadied and put in a desperate defensive effort which held Melbourne out long enough for the home side to kick the sealing goal.
Best were Johnson, Laidlaw and Crompton. Barassi (jarred shoulder) was replaced by Brenchley at three-quarter time.
Seconds
Fitzroy 10.7 d. Melbourne 8.16
Goals - H. Mann 3, Campbell 3, Turner 1, Wilkinson 1
Best - Kenneally, Milner, Wilson
Thirds
Melbourne 9.12 d. Fitzroy 4.7
Goals - Bourke 3, Bosch 3, Eastgate 2, Mason 1
Best - Breen, Weidlich, Edwards
Media
Age - 11/05/1959
Football Record - R4 1959