Round 4, 1944
Geelong vs Melbourne
Saturday 27 May
Venue: Kardinia Park
Attendance: 8000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Geelong | 3.2 | 5.4 | 7.7 | 10.9.69 |
| Melbourne | 8.4 | 13.7 | 15.9 | 22.10.142 |
Melbourne win by 73 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 11, Percy Taylor 4, Billy Deans 2, Jack Maher 2, Bob Herbert 1, Norm Matthews 1, Hughie McPherson 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Col Galbraith
Jack Maher
Statistical categories led:
Biggest win and highest score at Kardinia Park
Geelong had just returned to the league after an absence caused by wartime travel restrictions, and they provided a welcome victim for the Demons to register their first win of the new season. Their young team couldn't handle Fred Fanning, who plundered the Pivotonians for 11 goals.
Fanning had three by quarter time, and a slight rally in the middle of the quarter was the only time the visitors showed any resistance. By the first break the game was as good as over. Geelong's defence held up well in the second term, but was negated by poor forward play at the other end.
The margin continued to be beyond Geelong's reach in the third, where three chances were ruined by a crowded forward line and only gained a point. It was their best quarter of the game, reducing the gap by one, but still going into three quarter time 50 points down and with Fanning on nine. He added two more in the last quarter as Melbourne piled on seven to win easy.
Fanning, Cordner and McPherson were best. Col Galbraith suffered a broken kneecap which ultimately ended his career. Herbert was 19th man.
Seconds
Melbourne 18.17 d. Geelong 12.12
Goals - Hewson 5, Unknown 13
Best - Bennett
Lists
10 goals
Media
Sporting Globe - 27/05/1944
Argus - 31/05/1944
Football Record R5 1944