Round 4, 1953
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 16 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 23,829
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 4.6.30 |
| Footscray | 2.5 | 6.15 | 8.17 | 9.21.75 |
Footscray win by 45 points
Goalkickers: Ken Christie 1, Geoff McGivern 1, Bob McKenzie 1, Bill Morrow 1
Milestones:
First Game
Ron Barassi
The Bulldogs were in the top four, while Melbourne were languishing without a win at the bottom of the ladder. The home side had fallen just a point short of shocking unbeaten North a week earlier, but their form deserted them now.
Both teams initially had trouble handling a tricky wind, but Footscray players adapted quickly to register the only goals, and seven of the eight scoring shots, for the first quarter. They had been the faster side from the first bounce but it took them some time to kick their opening goal. Melbourne's defence then had to withstand several further attacks before conceding again, and they were 16 points down at the break.
The Dogs ran away with the game in the second quarter, adding another 4.10 while the Demons failed to register a goal for the entire half. They only managed one in the first three quarters, greeted by ironic cheers from fans when Morrow converted, but held the visitors to two in the third quarter to ensure the game wouldn't become a blowout. Three goals in the last quarter belatedly cut the margin to 45, but Footscray had nothing to worry about.
Best were Williams, Cordner and Albiston. Thompson replaced Anderson (leg injury) at three quarter time and Barassi replaced Christie (leg injury) in the last quarter. Don Williams had severe cramps.
Seconds
Footscray 14.12 d. Melbourne 9.8
Best - Case, Baker, Shaw
Thirds
Footscray 10.6 d. Melbourne 8.6
Notes
Some sources incorrectly say Barassi was an unused reserve. Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 23,727.
Media
Football Record R5 1953
Age - 16/05/1953
Sporting Globe - 16/05/1953
Argus - 18/05/1953
Age - 20/05/1953
Sun - 20/05/1953