Round 6, 1941
Footscray vs Melbourne
Saturday 7 June
Venue: Western Oval
Attendance: 16,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Footscray | 1.2 | 12.7 | 15.8 | 20.12.132 |
| Melbourne | 5.8 | 6.13 | 11.18 | 14.20.104 |
Footscray win by 28 points
Goalkickers: Ron Baggott 5, Norm Smith 4, Percy Beames 1, Les Gibbs 1, Jack Mueller 1, Jack O'Keefe 1, Mac Wilson 1
Milestones:
Nil
Firmly back in form after four wins in a row, and a record breaking score against Collingwood the previous week Melbourne travelled to the Western Oval to play the top of the table Tricolours but had their colours lowered.
A light breeze favoured the goal Melbourne kicked to in the first quarter, and only wasteful kicking stopped them from opening up an even bigger lead than five goals. Footscray's attempt to restrict the influence of the wind saw them play along the wings, while Melbourne relied on direct long kicking. Two late goals extended the margin to 30 and provided fair reward for their quarter.
There was no preparing for the second quarter onslaught though. In the same term where they had butchered Collingwood seven days previously, Melbourne suffered their own 11 goal nightmare and a 60 point reverse before half time. Footscray kicked the first three goals before Mueller hit back, but the home side replied within a minute and then went on the rampage. By the long break they were now the ones five goals in front.
Melbourne struck back again in the third, dragging the lead down to five points when Norm Smith converted from a free kick. After Mueller missed three shots in a row, the Tricolours kicked a steadying goal to lead by 14 at the last break. The Demons got a break when the wind dropped off in the last quarter, but many of their players had hit their limit and they were unable to take advantage. Two late goals from Mueller made the margin more respectable, but his side were well beaten.
It was the first time Footscray had conceded more than a hundred points all season, by with the Melbourne defence leaking like a sieve they were unable to match their opponents. Despite the ton score it was acknowledged that Melbourne's forward line had still been poor given the amount of chances they had.
Best were . Dowsing was unused 19th man.
Seconds
Melbourne 15.10.100 d. Footscray 15.9.99
Notes
Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 15,000.
Media
Age - 06/06/1941
Sporting Globe - 07/06/1941
Sporting Globe - 07/06/1941
Weekly Times - 14/06/1941
Football Record R7 1941