Wednesday 7 October - Norwood Oval
Crowd: 18,000
Melbourne 2.3, 8.6, 13.11, 20.17.137
Port Adelaide 5.5, 8.7, 12.10, 14.11.95
Melbourne win by 42 points
Goalkickers: Frank Adams 8, Alan Rowarth 3, Geoff Tunbridge 3, Neil Crompton 3, Peter Brenchley 1, Ian Ridley 1, Robert B Johnson 1
The annual match between the VFL and SANFL premier was a close affair for three quarters before the Demons booted away with a seven goal to two last quarter. Port qualified by winning their sixth South Austrlaian premiership in a row.
Melbourne seemed uneasy playing under lights at first, and Port took a three goal lead into quarter time courtesy of their winning centre line and tight defence. They had kicked 4.4 before Melbourne scored. Two quick goals reduced the margin to 20 points at the first break.
Melbourne's rucks - Bob Johnson and Dick Fenton-Smith in his last game for the club - had been their saving grace in the first term, and when their teammates joined in the margin was cut to a point midway through the quarter. Port rallied to hold that margin at half time.
Frank Adams troubled Port with his superior speed, kicking two goals in the third quarter to give the Demons a 13 point lead. He added four more in the last term to give himself eight for the day.
Best were Adams, Beckwith and Tunbridge.
The only players unavailable for Melbourne were Laurie Mithen (on his honeymoon), Ian McLean (unable to get time away from work), and Don Williams (in Western Australia)
On their return to Melbourne, players then left for an end of season holiday on the Gold Coast.
Team
B: Lord, Tas. Johnson, Beckwith
HB: Massey, Jones, Thorogood
C: Brenchley, H. Mann, Dixon
HF: Tunbridge, Laidlaw, Crompton
F: Barassi, Rowarth, Ridley
Foll: R. Johnson, Fenton-Smith, Adams
Res: Trev. Johnson, L. Mann, Gleeson, Webb
Scoring
Adams 8.2, Rowarth 3.2, Tunbridge 3.1, Crompton 3.0, Brenchley 1.5, Ridley 1.0, R. Johnson 1.0, Mann 0.2, Barassi 0.2, rushed 0.1.
Media
Adelaide News - 07/10/1959
Age - 08/10/1959
Adelaide Advertiser - 08/10/1959