Round 1, 1937
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 24 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 19,726
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 7.3 | 9.5 | 10.7 | 14.8.92 |
| Richmond | 2.3 | 2.9 | 6.10 | 9.12.66 |
Melbourne win by 26 points
Goalkickers: Eric Glass 7, Lou Reiffel 2, Norm Smith 2, Percy Beames 1, Maurie Gibb 1, John Lewis 1
Milestones:
First Game
Hugh Murnane
After breaking into the finals in 1936 after eight seasons in the wilderness, the Demons started their new campaign in the right fashion what ended as a comfortable win over their nearest neighbours. Richmond got back within eight points in the final term but couldn't bridge the gap any further.
Melbourne were five goals in front at quarter time thanks to their fast-moving football, and three late goals to end the term. Richmond improved early in the second quarter, but Melbourne effectively used handball to subdue them and with their defence dominant thanks to Jack Mueller the Tigers were unable to break through for a goal, and the margin was 48 points at half time.
Melbourne's domination was only challenged in the third quarter when the visitors slowed the game down and crowded around the ball, but they had left themselves with too much work to do. They got the margin back to 21 points as Melbourne blew a number of attacking chances. Richmond's comeback stalled at three quarter time, they were unable to overturn a 21 point deficit at the last change. They got to within eight points before Glass kicked his career best equalling seventh goal. From there Richmond faded and were comfortably beaten.
Mueller, Glass and Ogden were best. Ogden was replaced by 19th man Barassi during the third quarter when he injured his thigh. La Fontaine was kicked on the thigh and Kinnear suffered a jarred knee.
The game was umpired to the letter of the law by McDermott, leading to a large number of free kicks.
Reserves
Melbourne 17.18 d. Richmond 15.9
Goals - Matthews 8, Adams 2, Munday 2, Feltscheer 2, Ball 1, Deague 1, Foster 1
Best - Feltscheer, Munday, Buldt
Media
Herald - 23/04/1937
Sporting Globe - 24/04/1937
Herald - 26/04/1937
Age - 26/04/1937
Argus - 26/04/1937
Argus - 28/04/1937
Sporting Globe - 28/04/1937
Football Record R2 1937