Semi Final, 1939
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 16 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 54,776
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.4 | 5.9 | 10.11 | 15.14.104 |
| Collingwood | 3.3 | 7.10 | 9.14 | 12.18.90 |
Melbourne win by 14 points
Goalkickers: Jack Mueller 4, Percy Beames 3, Norm Smith 3, Ron Barassi 2, Harold Ball 1, Les Jones 1, Keith Truscott 1
Milestones:
50 Games
Gordon Jones
The Magpies struck the first psychological blow of the week by winning a coin-toss for their pick of the rooms at the MCG, forcing the Demons into the unfamiliar visitors change rooms, Melbourne had struck an even more imposing blow earlier in the season by dealing Collingwood their biggest ever VFL beating. The away rooms were decorated by enthusiastic spectators to give them a home feeling.
The minor premiers started favourites on their home ground, but a blustery wind provided difficult conditions even if rain during the week hadn't affected the MCG surface. La Fontaine won the toss and kicked with a slight breeze, though most of the scoring in the Seconds curtain raiser had been against the breeze. The trend continued early, with Collingwood kicking the first two goals. Down the other end, Melbourne was missing opportunities. They fought back, and three Norm Smith goals gave them a one point lead at the break.
In the early stages of the second quarter Jack Mueller held firm in defence to keep the Magpies out. Collingwood players began to target him, and later he was caught by an opponent in a hard collision. It was part of a rough quarter, where a brawl 60 yards off the ball forced umpires to rush in and restore calm. The Magpies held Melbourne's dangerous, high scoring forwards well, and kicked the last 4.4 of the half to open a 13 point lead.
That burst was Collingwood's only period of domination, and they couldn't hold Melbourne's forwards much longer. Several minutes of pressing at the start of the quarter failed to yield another goal before Melbourne took over, finally aiming for the ball rather than the man. They reverted to their usual attacking style, and goals to Truscott and Mueller cut the gap to two, before Beames put his side ahead. Now Melbourne was at its best, but couldn't put the game away, and a late goal left the margin three at the last change.
An early goal from a free to Beames quickly extended the gap to nine before Ron Todd, who had been well held by Wally Lock, replied. After a period of both teams having chances but failing to kick goals, Melbourne extended the margin to 10.
Collingwood had their chances. Todd, who kicked his 100th goal of the season in the second half, hit the top of the post with a kick that could have put his side ahead. There was still time for the Pies, but Allan La Fontaine swung a crucial move by putting Gordon Jones into the ruck, where he helped steady the side. The Pies couldn't bridge the gap and were forced into a Preliminary Final against St Kilda while Melbourne went straight into the Grand Final.
Best were Wartman, Jones and Mueller. O'Keefe was unused as 19th man. Emselle was a late withdrawal due to a thigh injury, replaced by Jack Maher.
Wally Lock was suspended for four matches after being reported for 'Jostling, pushing and tripping' and missed the Grand Final.
Team
B: Roberts, Lock, Mueller
HB: Hingston, G. Jones, Maher
C: Wartman, La Fontaine, Anderson
HF: Truscott, Baggott, L. Jones
F: Ball, Smith, Barassi
Foll: Fischer, Furniss, Beams
19th: O'Keefe
Scorers
Mueller 5.3, Beames 3.1, Smith 3.2, Barassi 2.2, L. Jones 1.4, Truscott 1.0, La Fontaine 0.1, Rushed 0.1
Lists
100th goal against
Notes
Sporting Globe and Argus give the crowd as 54,466.
Media
Argus - 13/09/1939
Herald - 14/09/1939
Age - 15/09/1939
Argus - 16/09/1939
Sporting Globe - 16/09/1939
Sporting Globe - 16/09/1939
Sporting Globe - 16/09/1939
Weekly Times - 16/09/1939
Argus - 16/09/1939
Argus - 18/09/1939
Age - 18/09/1939
Sporting Globe - 20/09/1939
Sporting Globe - 20/09/1939
Weekly Times - 23/09/1939
Australasian - 23/09/1939