Round 12, 1946
Geelong vs Melbourne
Saturday 13 July
Venue: Kardinia Park
Attendance: 11,500
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Geelong | 7.2 | 10.4 | 11.4 | 15.7.97 |
| Melbourne | 4.5 | 11.7 | 17.10 | 21.14.140 |
Melbourne win by 43 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 5, Jack Mueller 4, Ernie O'Rourke 4, Arnold Byfield 2, Shane McGrath 2, Norm Smith 2, Des Bell 1, Jim Mitchell 1
Milestones:
First Goal
Des Bell (3rd game)
First Goal
Shane McGrath (35th game)
Geelong were hard to beat at Kardinia Park, and the quickly jumped to a surprise lead at quarter time with seven goals in front of their home fans, but as the match went on they started to fade and the Demons overhauled them by half time.
Two goals from free kicks near the end of the second quarter turned the tide in Melbourne's favour, and they had established a winning lead by the last change. Geelong responded in the final term but they couldn't get past Melbourne's back line. Having not scored over 100 points since the opening day of the season the Demons had a spread of goalkickers who helped them crash through that total and gain valuable percentage.
Best were Mueller, Mitchell and Rule. Mueller gave a "splendid display of high marking and powerful ruck play".
The win left the Demons a game and percentage behind Carlton, with a game against the Blues the next Saturday to either confirm their status as challenger or effectively put them out of the running.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.17.101 d. Geelong 10.13.73
Notes
Melbourne's behind score in the Seconds match is unclear due to the condition of source material.
Media
Age - 15/07/1946
Football Record R13 1946