Round 9, 1931
Melbourne vs St. Kilda
Saturday 4 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 15,826
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 0.1 | 1.6 | 2.11 | 4.12.36 |
| St. Kilda | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.8 | 9.9.63 |
St. Kilda win by 27 points
Goalkickers: Robert C Johnson 2, George Margitich 2
Milestones:
50 Games
Ray Usher
Melbourne's promising start to the season came to an end with their third loss in a row. They were wasteful with their attacks and easily beaten, even after fielding their best team in weeks. Melbourne started favourites, but St Kilda were finally getting their best 18 back together after weeks of battling with injury so didn't go in without a chance.
In muddy, slushy conditions the visitors adapted better and took an early lead with the wind which they never surrendered. Melbourne kicked themselves out of the game by botching numerous chances going forward. It was the third week in a row where wet conditions had brought Melbourne unstuck. The Reds were held to a point in the first quarter, as the visitors adapted better to the sludge football.
The Reds started with two behinds at the start of the second quarter, as Robert C Johnson struggled to make an impact in the conditions. It took a Margitich free to cut the gap to 11 points before the Saints got the last two of the half.
Facing a 19 point deficit at the break, Melbourne came out strongly and did everything right but score. They got to 1.9 before Johnson marked and goalled. St Kilda bounced back with the last three of the term and the game was won. A 27 point deficit was eaten into by the first goal by Johnson via a free kick after 10 minutes. They only got one more goal, and the sides split the last quarter 2.1 apiece.
Beames, Esposito and Vine were best. 19th man was Taylor.
Seconds
St Kilda 7.9.51 d. Melbourne 6.7.43
Media
Herald - 03/07/1931
Sporting Globe - 04/07/1931
Australasian - 11/07/1931
Football Record R10 1931