Round 6, 1955
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Saturday, 21 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 28,333
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 5.2 | 8.2 | 9.4 | 11.5.71 |
| Hawthorn | 1.2 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 6.8.44 |
Melbourne win by 27 points
Goalkickers: Ian Ridley 3, Stuart Spencer 3, Noel Clarke 2, Geoff Case 1, Robert C Johnson 1, Laurie Mithen 1
Milestones:
First Game
Dick Atkinson
Last Game
Noel Baker
Superior pace, a dominant ruck department and a watertight defence were the reasons why Melbourne beat Hawthorn to stay undefeated. In difficult conditions the Demons took most of the first quarter to get into top gear, but by the first break they had opened up a four goal lead that was good enough to win the game. On a wet day they successfully set out to build a lead with a dry ball.
Hawthorn threatened before half time but couldn't seriously challenge the home side. Melbourne kept them to a single goal in the last quarter and went on to win easily. Their defence again stood up, having conceded an average of just 55 points a match for the year.
Bob Johnson and Denis Cordner dominated the rucks, and at their feet Stuart Spencer and Ian Ridley were dominant at the fall of the ball.
Best were Beckwith, Williams and Mithen. Baumgartner replaced McMahen (flu) in the selected team, and Ridley did likewise for Laidlaw (bruised heel). During the game Baker replaced Williams (knee) and Lane replaced McLean (cramp).
The two sides were playing for the Tom Ferguson Memorial Trophy. The trophy was donated by the Hawks president Dr. AS Ferguson in memory of his late father.
In the day's seconds game Jack Mueller was forced to suit up as his team only had 17 players. They lost another player due to injury in the first quarter and played the rest of the game one player down but still won.
Seconds
Melbourne 13.8 d. Hawthorn 10.7
Thirds
Melbourne 5.8 d. Hawthorn 1.9
Media
Age - 23/05/1955
Argus - 23/05/1955
Football Record R7 1955