Round 3, 1924
Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday 10 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 18,211
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.3 | 6.5 | 7.9 | 8.13.61 |
| Collingwood | 2.4 | 3.8 | 5.11 | 8.14.62 |
Collingwood win by 1 point
Goalkickers: Dave Elliman 2, Stan Wittman 2, Johnny Egan 1, George Haines 1, Derek Mollison 1, Richard Taylor 1
Milestones:
First Game (and first goal)
Stan Wittman
First Goal
Johnny Egan (2nd game)
Recruited on the recommendation of a cable tram gripman, Stan Wittman played what was described as one of the best debut games ever by a country recruit. Early in the match he took a fingertip mark and goalled from 45 metres, and from there on he was every inch a star but it didn't save the Redlegs from their second straight defeat by under a goal.
Melbourne's hot start was assisted by the Pies missing two shots on goal late in the first quarter. The Pies continued to miss chances earlier in the second. The home side were playing the better game but saw two points shaved off their lead at half time.
It still looked as if they were safe, with better marking and quicker play keeping the Magpies at arm's length but after a brief but fruitless attacking flurry by the Demons at the start of the third quarter the game changed. Despite Collingwood being weakened by injury and illness they clawed back some of the deficit in the third quarter before storming home in the last to nick a thrilling victory. Their captain Tyson had been crippled by a leg injury and spent most of the game limping painfully around the forward line.
Melbourne might have had a crucial free kick in the last few minutes of the game. Percy Tulloh marked and tried to run past his opponent, he was tackled and penalised for holding the ball. The Collingwood player then tried the same move, was tackled and the umpire called play on. The umpire, who had previously played for Collingwood, left the ground to 'hooting' from the members' pavilion.
The Reds scored a late goal through debutant Wittman to cut the margin back to a point but time ran out before they could attack again.
Apart from Wittman the best Melbourne players were Taylor, Wilson and Chadwick. Glasscock, Donaldson and Elliman were injured.
Seconds
Collingwood 17.9.111 d. Melbourne 9.9.63
Lists
One Point games
Media
Sporting Globe - 10/05/1924
Argus - 12/05/1924
Age - 16/05/1924
Football Record R4 1924