Round 8, 1940
Melbourne vs Fitzroy
Monday 17 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 19,737
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.3 | 8.6 | 11.8 | 12.15.87 |
| Fitzroy | 5.3 | 7.6 | 11.9 | 12.13.85 |
Melbourne win by 2 points
Goalkickers: Ron Baggott 5, Norm Smith 3, Ron Barassi 1, Jack Mueller 1, Hugh Murnane 1, Jack O'Keefe 1
Milestones:
Nil
After their high scoring adventures against North Melbourne a week earlier the Demons were called back into a close one, just falling over the line against the Maroons. The Federal Opposition Leader John Curtain was present to watch his nephew Claude kick six goals, but Fitzroy fell narrowly short.
In the only game played on King's Birthday Monday the visitors shocked the MCG crowd by bursting to a four goal lead at quarter time, but when the half time bell sounded they'd gone from four in front to one behind after Melbourne booted seven goals to two in the quarter.
Lock, Richie Emselle and Roberts were Melbourne's best players in the defense - after the first quarter debacle they held off the Roys forwards long enough to allow their side back into the game. Baggott was strong up forward while O'Keefe and Murnane starred in the ruck.
Melbourne remained first, but the even nature of the competition meant they were only a game and percentage inside the four.
Dowsing was 19th man.
Seconds (played Saturday 15 June)
Fitzroy 19.17 d. Melbourne 8.14
Media
Age - 14/06/1940
Argus - 18/06/1940
Football Record R9 1940