Round 9, 1961
South Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 17 June
Venue: Lake Oval
Attendance: 10,260
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| South Melbourne | 1.2 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 8.14.62 |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 5.5 | 8.13 | 14.14.98 |
Melbourne win by 36 points
Goalkickers: Hassa Mann 5, Ian Ridley 4, Frank Adams 2, Ron Barassi 1, Terry Gleeson 1, Robert B Johnson 1
Milestones:
Nil
Six days after asserting their position as premiership favourites with a big win over Collingwood, the much fancied Demons travelled to the Lake Oval and eventually got the three points, but not without a fight as the Swans stuck close to them for three quarters before being blown away in the last.
The Swans blanketed Ron Barassi in the middle, their wingers outran the Demons, and forwards Robert B Johnson, Clyde Laidlaw and Alan Rowarth all struggled. It took Norm Smith switching positions at three quarter time to save his side, moving Barassi onto the ball, Laidlaw into the centre, and John Lord to centre half-forward.
South were brave, and their rucks dominant, but the result could have been determined earlier if the visitors hadn't been so inaccurate in the third quarter, adding 3.8 to 1.0 but they found their kicking form in the final term by booting 6.1 against the wind to run out comfortable winners and further entrench themselves at the top of the ladder.
Ridley, Adams and Mann were Melbourne's best. Lord and Ridley were replaced by Massey and Milner in the last quarter. It was later found that Terry Gleeson had suffered a broken wrist.
Reserves
Melbourne 12.13 d. South Melbourne 7.15
Goals - Rolfe 4, Breen 2, Ireland 2, Carroll 1, Anderson 1, Nilssen 1, Thorpe 1
Best - Leahy, Ireland, Bourke
Under 19s
South Melbourne 11.17 d. Melbourne 12.10
Goals - Glover 3, Schultz 3, McCubbery 2, Matthews 2, Doyle 1, Johnstone 1
Best - Fraser, Hill, Matthews
Media
Age - 19/06/1961
Age - 21/06/1961
Football Record R10 1961