Semi Final, 1936
Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 12 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 55,094
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.4 | 9.7 | 12.11 | 14.13.97 |
| Carlton | 2.4 | 5.9 | 8.16 | 11.22.88 |
Melbourne win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Ron Baggott 3, Eric Glass 3, Les Jones 3, Lou Reiffel 2, Bert Taylor 2, Ray Wartman 1
Milestones:
Nil
With Governor Lord Huntingfield looking on, the Blues scored first with a point and it was to tell the story of their day. Their next two scores were points as well, and with the use of the wind they were missing out on a golden opportunity to build an early lead in front of the big September crowd. They got the first 1.3 before Melbourne opened their account through a kick off the ground from Reiffel. Melbourne had to cope with the loss of Norm Smith, who had been forced out of the side by a groin injury.
The defence of both teams was sound early and the game became a physical struggle. It took until late in the quarter for Melbourne to kick away with three goals. They began to take control when Bert Taylor went into the ruck and began to dominate play. Wartman's strong play on the wing also helped.
Despite the wind dropping, the Demons extended their lead to four goals early in the second term, despite losing Maurie Gibb to a compound dislocation of the thumb. Just as it seemed they were fading away, Carlton revived and reduced the gap to 11. Again, late goals were decisive, restoring a 22 point margin by the break.
The Blues had more of the ball in the third term they were unable to capitalise, kicking 3.7 to Melbourne's 3.4.
Harry Vallence kicked his 600th goal for the Blues in the last term, but inaccuracy left Carlton 11 points down midway through the quarter. A Jack Mueller screamer which "brought down the house" seemed to fire the Blues up but they missed two more chances to cut the margin to under a goal and Melbourne held on. Muller took 16 marks for the day and was best on ground.
In a match which the Age described as "one of the grandest fighting finishes seen for years", the Carlton president was reported to have "almost burst into tears" at the final bell.
The win set up a preliminary final clash with South Melbourne, who they had put in their best performance of the season against.
An addition to the serious thumb injury to Maurie Gibb, Frank Roberts hurt this thigh and Allan La Fontaine was treated for a leg injury.
Mueller, Ray Wartman and Lou Reiffel were adjudged Melbourne's best and awarded trophies by Mr T.B Guest. Deague was 19th man.
Jack Mueller and Harry Long attempt to spoil Harry Vallence with no luck
Notes
Labor Call gives the crowd as 54,693
Media
Herald - 08/09/1936
Labor Call - 10/09/1936
Sun - 11/09/1936
Herald - 11/09/1936
Herald - 11/09/1936
Herald - 12/09/1936
Sporting Globe - 12/09/1936
Weekly Times - 12/09/1936
Sun - 12/09/1936
Age - 14/09/1936
Argus - 14/09/1936
Herald - 14/09/1936
Labor Call - 17/09/1936
Football Record 1936 Finals
Links
Blueseum match report