Round 4, 1933
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 20 May
Venue: Brunswick Street
Attendance: 22,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 3.4 | 6.7 | 9.10 | 11.16.82 |
| Melbourne | 3.6 | 7.10 | 9.11 | 11.13.79 |
Fitzroy win by 3 points
Goalkickers: George Margitich 4, Rowley Fischer 2, Lou Riley 2, Bill Deague 1, Robert C Johnson 1, Colin Niven 1
Milestones:
MFC Debut
Billy Libbis
After earning their first win of the season a week earlier Melbourne faced a tough task against the Maroons in heavy fog but almost pulled off a surprise victory. Colin Niven captained against the side he used to coach in the absence of Francis Vine.
Despite the relative strength of the two sides they played out a high standard game. Riley got the first two goals, and Melbourne had three in a row before Fitzroy recovered to cut the margin to two at quarter time. The Reds were the best side in the air, but when the ball hit the ground Fitzroy was superior.
Melbourne lost the lead early in the second quarter, but after the sides traded the lead during the term the Reds had a nine point lead at the half. In the third quarter the visitors continued to play a tough brand of football, winning the ruck and in the air but conceded the lead and only won it back when Margitich kicked a goal on the bell to give his side a one point lead.
Fog settled on the ground at the start of the last term, reducing visibility. Fitzroy opened a two goal lead, turning back many attacks by the opposition. Replacement Johnson, who had come on for an injured Vanthoff at the start of the quarter, cut the gap to two points with a goal.
In the dying seconds umpire McMurray failed to hear the bell and as Fitzroy supporters celebrated victory George Margitich had a shot on goal that would have won the match, but he missed. The umpire and players didn't realise that the game was over until they saw fans running onto the field. Melbourne claimed that the ball had gone through the goal and they should have won by two points.
Best were Power, Ogden and Long. Barnett (shoulder), Beames (ankle) and Tymms (injured side) were all late withdrawals. Power, Conole and Libbis came into the side. 19th man Johnson replaced Vanthoff (leg injury) early in the last quarter.
Players of both sides wore armbands and stood before a flag at half mast for president of the MCC Leo Cussen, who had died three days earlier.
Seconds
Melbourne 16.7 d. Fitzroy 12.12
Notes
Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 25,000 and Australasian says 19,000.
Media
Sporting Globe - 17/05/1933
Sporting Globe - 20/05/1933
Canberra Times - 22/05/1933
Argus - 22/05/1933
Austrasian - 27/05/1933
Football Record R5 1933