Round 7, 1954
Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Saturday 29 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 23,025
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 6.10 | 9.14 | 15.21.111 |
| South Melbourne | 5.2 | 9.2 | 12.4 | 14.5.89 |
Melbourne win by 22 points
Goalkickers: Noel Clarke 5, Stuart Spencer 4, John Ferguson 2, Bob McKenzie 2, Geoff McGivern 1, Laurie Mithen 1
Milestones:
Nil
Two of the league's most inconsistent teams came together on the MCG, and after their disappointing defeat against St Kilda Melbourne desperately needed to get back in the winner's circle.
South attacked first and scored the opening goal of the game but despite their quicker pace Melbourne's centre line was superior. The Demons got within eight points during the second quarter and finished 10 behind at the long break. The Bloods got out to a 20 point lead in the third but the margin was cut to eight at the last change before reeling off 6.7 to 2.1 in the last quarter - aided by Ron Clegg limping off while the game was still in the balance. Four goals in the last few minutes won it for the Demons.
Melbourne would have been in a better place earlier in the day if they'd kicked straight in attack. They had 17 more scoring shots in the end but it took them until the final 15 minutes to shake South off. Conversely, South kicked 10 straight at one point. Clarke kicked 2.5 with four other shots that failed to make the distance during the first half alone. On the other side, South's reliance on Ron Clegg was exposed when he had to leave the ground with injury in the last term.
Best were McLean, McKenzie and Clarke. Bull and Case replaced McLean and Beckwith (both with cramp) in the last quarter.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.22 d. South Melbourne 10.6
Goals - Albiston 5, Ridley 3, Barassi 2, Webster 2, Baker 2
Best - Albiston, Power, Barassi
Third
Melbourne 12.18 d. South Melbourne 2.4
Media
Sporting Globe - 29/05/1954
Argus - 30/05/1954
Age - 31/05/1954
Herald - 31/05/1954
Argus - 31/05/1954
Sporting Globe - 02/06/1954
Football Record R8 1954