Round 6, 1958
St. Kilda vs Melbourne
Saturday 17 May
Venue: Junction Oval
Attendance: 32,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| St. Kilda | 5.4 | 6.4 | 11.7 | 12.7.79 |
| Melbourne | 4.0 | 8.6 | 9.9 | 11.12.78 |
St. Kilda win by 1 point
Goalkickers: Athol Webb 3, Ron Barassi 2, Ian Ridley 2, Geoff Case 1, Robert B Johnson 1, Ian McLean 1, Geoff Tunbridge 1
Milestones:
Nil
Melbourne's unbeaten start to the season came to a halt in a thriller at the Junction Oval, but the match may not have been played there at all. It was rumoured that the VFL had given the Saints an ultimatum to step up improvement works at the ground or the match would be transferred to Victoria Park.
St Kilda satisfied the league, and against the best side in the competition they took a 10 point lead into the last quarter. Melbourne mounted a comeback but fell agonisingly short of a sixth win in a row.
In the worst conditions for football of the season to date, with heavy winds ruining games everywhere as a spectacle, the home side led at the first change before conceding the lead to the Demons at half time. The third quarter was much like the first, allowing the Saints to get in front and brace for Melbourne's comeback with the aid of a strong breeze.
The visitors had several chances to win, but selfish players trying to win the game off their own boot and a sound defeat for their half-forwards cost them. Despite the result and Melbourne's chances to steal victory St Kilda were clearly the better side on the day and deserved the four points.
Saints fans were so delighted with the victory that they threw money into the race as the team left the field. Around 50p was collected, with another 150p donated to the players in the rooms after the game.
Best were L. Mithen, McLean and Dixon. Wilson suffered a cut eye.
The loss dropped the Demons from first to third on percentage behind Fitzroy and Collingwood.
Seconds
Melbourne 9.17 d. St Kilda 8.14
Goals - Brenchley 4, Cook 2, Wilkinson 1, Milner 1, Crompton 1
Best - Gleeson, Cook, Clay
Thirds
St Kilda 7.9 d. Melbourne 2.11
Goals - O'Toole 1, Jennings 1
Best - McLeod, Campbell, Kerley
Lists
One point games