Round 18, 1931
Collingwood vs Melbourne
Saturday 12 September
Venue: Victoria Park
Attendance: 14,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Collingwood | 1.4 | 9.11 | 13.12 | 18.19.127 |
| Melbourne | 4.2 | 6.2 | 7.8 | 8.9.57 |
Collingwood win by 70 points
Goalkickers: Robert C Johnson 3, George Margitich 2, Percy Beames 1, Jimmy Davidson 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1
Milestones:
Last Game
George Cassidy
Ossie Green
Statistical categories led:
Biggest loss at Victoria Park
Needing to win to ensure their place in the top four the Pies had a shock when they were three goals down at quarter time.The first quarter had been affected by a tricky wind hampering passing, then the rain came, and Melbourne fell apart.
In the second quarter the rain was so heavy it was difficult to distinguish players, but from when the Pies capitalised on a defensive mistake to kick the opening goal of the second term the rest of the game was a procession. They slammed on 18 goals to four after the first break to win easily. A 27 point half time lead soon blew out, with the Demons reduced to 17 players on the field. The Demons had already made their interchange when ((Robert C Johnson) took a knee to the back and had to leave the field. Ossie Green had earlier replaced the injured Abernethy, then left the game with a cut head but returned to replace Johnson.
Five goals to one in the last quarter helped Collingwood run away with a big win, against a side who only had 17 on field and a number of others heavily limping as they waited for the season to finish. George Margitich was held to two goals after kicking 12 a week earlier.
Johnson (before injured), Margitich and Beames were best. In his last game, Ossie Green replaced Abernthy in the second quarter, then had to go off in the third quarter with a cut head.
Seconds
Melbourne 10.29 d. Collingwood 6.5
Notes
Sporting Globe gave the crowd as 8000.
Media
Herald - 11/09/1931
Sporting Globe - 12/09/1931
Australasian - 19/09/1931
Sporting Globe - 23/09/1931
Football Record 1931 Finals