Round 4, 1946
Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Saturday 11 May
Venue: Punt Road
Attendance: 18,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.6 | 6.8 | 7.11 | 12.15.87 |
| South Melbourne | 1.5 | 4.6 | 8.8 | 11.8.74 |
Melbourne win by 13 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 7, Jack Mueller 2, Alby Rodda 2, Arnold Byfield 1
Milestones:
First Game
Lance Arnold
Arnold Byfield (and first goal)
Len Dockett
Melbourne bounced back from a disappointing loss to Essendon on the previous Saturday to improve their record to 3-1. After making seven team changes, Melbourne were the better side in the first quarter but several of the attacks they launched were wasted when they fumbled in front of goal. In a tricky cross-wind each side was wasteful, with South kicking 1.5 for the first term.
The Demons extended their lead to more than four goals during the second quarter, despite losing Lock to an ankle injury. They also lost McLean during the third quarter when he was carried off, and South bounced back to take the lead by three points at three-quarter time.
Led by Fred Fanning who kicked 7.7 for the day, Melbourne steadied to win. They got the first goal of the last quarter and kicked the first two goals of the quarter. South bounced back with two of their own to level the score, but Fanning's seventh won the game for the Demons to leave them fifth on the ladder.
Cordner, Rodda and McGrath were best. 19th and 20th men were Byfield and Irwin. Irwin replaced Lock (ankle) during the second quarter and Byfield replaced McLean (ankle) during the third quarter.
Seconds
South Melbourne 14.7 d. Melbourne 8.17
Goals - Unknown
Best - Conroy, F. Kennedy, Chadwick
Notes
Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 15,000.
Media
Sporting Globe - 11/05/1946
Herald - 11/05/1946
Age - 13/05/1946
Sporting Globe - 15/05/1946
Football Record R5 1946