Round 5, 1947
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 17 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 33,192
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.0 | 7.2 | 12.3 | 15.5.95 |
| Collingwood | 4.6 | 6.9 | 7.10 | 9.16.70 |
Melbourne win by 25 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 9, Jack Mueller 3, Lance Arnold 1, Jim Mitchell 1, Alby Rodda 1
Milestones:
50 Games
Shane McGrath
Melbourne had gotten their season off to a rocky start, while the Magpies were undefeated so it ranked as a huge upset that the Demons managed to win with such relative ease.
Much of the credit could go to Fred Fanning, who delivered his second nine goal haul in as many weeks to win a battle between Melbourne's long kicking, high marking game-style and the more speed based version favoured by the Magpies.
Despite gusty winds it was Melbourne's accurate kicking for goal which won them the day, with five straight in the first quarter keeping them level despite the Magpies having double the scoring shots.
In a high quality game it was the third quarter when the Demons kicked away, then rebuffed a number of Collingwood attacks in the final quarter.
Melbourne's defenders were a key factor in keeping the usually free-scoring Collingwood to a low score and McGrath, McLean and Deans were best.
Officers of the US Army and Indian Air Force were in attendance at the game as guests of the VFL.
Seconds
Collingwood 17.19 d. Melbourne 11.10
Media
Sporting Globe - 14/05/1947
Age - 16/05/1947
Football Record R6 1947