Round 10, 1950
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 24 June
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 55,682
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.7 | 4.10 | 6.13 | 8.15.63 |
| Essendon | 2.2 | 5.7 | 8.10 | 10.12.72 |
Essendon win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Denis Cordner 2, Len Dockett 2, Don Cordner 1, Doug Heywood 1, Bob McKenzie 1, Arthur Pound 1
Milestones:
Nil
On a day when a freak fog played havoc with league games, the Demons jumped to a lead early in what was billed as the 'match of the year'. It was their only dominant period of the day, as Essendon's small men and an ability to feed star full forward John Coleman helped them over the line. Coleman kicked 7.4 of his team's total of 10.12, and no Melbourne defender could hold him.
Early wins in the ruck were wasted by six behinds in a row during the first term. Melbourne lacked organisation in front of goal, in stark contrast to Essendon's dominance through Coleman. The first two times the Bombers crossed centre they goalled, before Melbourne revived and Dockett's second goal had them in front. The early advantage from playing Bob McKenzie on Bill Hutchison gradually faded, and Hutchison became one of his side's best players. From 10 more scoring shots the margin was only 11 points, and the start of the second term Melbourne attacked again but were held out. The play swept to the other end where Coleman kicked his third.
The home side won the majority of possession, but their wild kicking and poor organisation was negating the advantage. Once Essendon curbed their ruck play and got the smalls into the game they became the better side, leading at the half and three-quarter time breaks. Nine points ahead at the last change, Essendon got a lucky break to open the final term. A Don Cordner mid-air punch landed directly with an opponent for a goal, then Coleman kicked another and the game was all but done. Melbourne kicked the last two goals to make the margin more respectable, but in front of the season's biggest crowd the Demons were now almost certain to miss finishing top of the ladder.
Best were Woods, Bickford and Rodda. McGowan replaced Arnold (injured) and Carlon replaced Dockett (injured leg) in the last quarter.
Seconds
Essendon 12.16 d. Melbourne 8.6
Goalkickers - Wheatley 2, Love 2, Woods 1, Smythe 1, Mueller 1, O'Keefe 1
Best - Rollason, Mueller.
Thirds
Essendon 15.14 d. Melbourne 6.9
Media
Sporting Globe - 24/06/1950
Sporting Globe - 24/06/1950
Argus - 26/06/1950
Age - 26/06/1950
Argus - 26/06/1950
Labor Call - 29/06/1950