Round 6, 1951
Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 2 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 29,774
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.4 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 11.12.78 |
| Carlton | 4.5 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 8.10.58 |
Melbourne win by 20 points
Goalkickers: Noel Clarke 2, Denis Cordner 2, Bill Smeaton 2, John Beckwith 1, Geoff McGivern 1, Bob McKenzie 1, Stuart Spencer 1, Jack Thomson 1
Milestones:
First Game
Noel Clarke (also first goal)
John Cordner
Debuting the latest member of the Cordner clan, and boom Tasmanian recruit Clarke the Demons finally broke through for a victory in 1951 at the sixth attempt.
In damp conditions Clarke was a livewire, kicking his first goal after picking the ball up one-handed and goalling from an acute angle, and had spearhead Smeaton been luckier they might have won by even more. Carlton were constantly repelled in kicking long to their forwards while the Demons used quick handball to break open the Blue backline.
Holding the Blues to 1.1 in the second and third quarters combined was the key to victory, and the return to form of the previously out of sorts George Bickford was one of the most pleasing aspects to the victory. Despite perfect conditions for football the two sides only put on 1.0 between them for the third term.
Despite the jubilation of victory and a much improved performance it would turn out to be Melbourne's only win of their wooden spoon campaign.
Best were McMahon, McKenzie and Bickford. Krause and Heywood were 19th and 20th men respectively.
Seconds
Carlton 12.14 d. Melbourne 8.20
Thirds
Carlton 11.16 d. Melbourne 9.8
Media
The Age - 02/06/1951
Sporting Globe - 02/06/1951
The Age - 04/06/1951
The Argus - 04/06/1951
Football Record R7 1951
Links
Blueseum match report