Round 7, 1956
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 26 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 46,868
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 5.8 | 7.10 | 11.13.79 |
| Collingwood | 4.5 | 6.5 | 9.6 | 9.7.61 |
Melbourne win by 18 points
Goalkickers: Ian Ridley 4, Stuart Spencer 3, Ron Barassi 2, Robert B Johnson 2
Milestones:
Nil
The Magpies were expected to make life difficult for the Demons as they went for a 13th straight victory, and until three quarter time they did just that. Melbourne floundered early in heavy conditions, and early in the second quarter trailed by 28 points.
As the game went on the Demons settled down and began playing like the side which had not lost in almost 11 months. They charged back to briefly grab the lead before half time, but Collingwood took an eight point lead into the last quarter. A desperate defensive effort held the Magpies out at the end of the last term before Melbourne booted three quick goals to grab the lead and win the match.
In the first quarter Collingwood out-muscled their opposition, and domination in the ruck helped them remain on top until Cordner and Johnson started getting their share of taps in the second quarter. Melbourne would have had the lead at half time if it wasn't for a controversial decision when Noel McMahen looked to have touched the ball going through but it was called a goal.
The Magpies lost their pace advantage as the game became a slog in the third quarter, and Melbourne put them under immense attacking pressure. Despite the margin extending, and Collingwood's dominance early in the last they were unable to put Melbourne away and fell victim to a strong comeback. They'd wasted many chances attacking the Demons' goalmouth, only to be turned back by strong defence. They only managed one behind into the wind before the counter-attack began.
Despite their relatively low score, Collingwood's total was the highest kicked against Melbourne for the year so far.
John Beckwith was Melbourne's best, holding out numerous Collingwood attacks in the last quarter, along with Ian Ridley and Denis Cordner. Mithen suffered a bruised calf and Marquis a bruised thigh.
Norm Smith said "Collingwood came back at us so strongly and aggressively that at one stage it looked as if it had 18 rovers or wingmen. But that is Collingwood. They never give in and they always have to be beaten. We surely got some shocks. We started slowly, which was bad for us because we are the top team. But after half-time we were definitely on top."
Seconds
Melbourne 10.9 d. Collingwood 8.14
Goals - Unknown
Best - McLean, Thorogood, Jones
Thirds
Collingwood 5.16 d. Melbourne 5.5
Media
Argus - 28/05/1956
Age - 28/05/1956
The Argus - 28/05/1956
Football Record R8 1956