Round 5, 1953
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 23 May
Venue: Windy Hill
Attendance: 9,500
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 2.3 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 6.10.46 |
| Melbourne | 2.2 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 9.3.57 |
Melbourne win by 11 points
Goalkickers: Denis Cordner 3, Bob McKenzie 2, Ken Albiston 1, Geoff McGivern 1, Bill Morrow 1, Mike Woods 1
Milestones:
First Game
Noel Baker
Geoff Case
Heavy rain caused the crowds to stay away from VFL games in droves, and the match at Windy Hill was no different with less than 10,000 turning up to see Melbourne open their account for the season.
It wasn't just fans who were affected, the rain had caused grounds across the league to resemble lakes - and it continued throughout the day as the surface was turned into a mudbath.
With John Coleman being well held by Noel McMahen the two sides continued their struggle deep into the last quarter, with Melbourne playing the superior wet weather football. The lead changed hands several times during the last quarter before Essendon took a three point lead with two minutes to play. The lead was back to a point before Mike Woods scored from a set shot, before the final siren sounded with the ball in the hands Denis Cordner. He kicked the goal to extend the margin to 11.
It was Essendon's lowest score against Melbourne since 1926.
Best were Spencer, McMahen and Clarke. The win moved the Demons a game a percentage clear of last placed Hawthorn.
Seconds
Melbourne 7.10 d. Essendon 4.11
Goals - Anderson 4, Unknown 3
Thirds
Essendon 6.9 d. Melbourne 6.3
Media
Age - 23/05/1953
Age - 25/05/1953
Football Record R6 1953