Round 11 1926

Round 11, 1926
Melbourne vs Fitzroy
Saturday 10 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 11,651

Melbourne win by 39 points

Goalkickers: Col Deane 4, Harry Moyes 3, Harry Davie 2, Robert C Johnson 2, Ivor Warne-Smith 1, Herbert White 1, Stan Wittman 1

Milestones:
Nil

After losing to ladder leaders Geelong a week earlier the Reds returned to an easier draw against the struggling Maroons. Fitzroy had been a force in previous years but were now struggling with little hope of making the finals, and Melbourne took full advantage.

Fitzroy held their own in the first half, just one point down at quarter time and level at half time, before Melbourne kicked away in the second half with 10 goals to two.

In a fast, open game each side managed three goals in the first half, with Col Deane earning the first for Melbourne. Fitzroy took the lead but the home side regained the advantage through a late goal to Moyes from the boundary line.

The game threatened to turn violent in the second quarter after Collins was felled with a blow to the face, but his teammates who went after the culprit were calmed and the game continued. The term produced the most even play of the day, and sound defence by both sides contributed to each side only scoring one goal.

The threat of violence came again early in the third quarter when Moyes was punched by a Fitzroy defender, but Melbourne had their revenge by running away to an easy victory. Their short passing which had failed against Geelong the previous Saturday was now working to perfection. Only a late goal kept Fitzroy within striking distance at the last change.

The Maroons looked to have run out of gas in the last quarter, with two goals in a row to Melbourne to start the quarter and ensure that they would win and strengthen their claim for a finals berth.

Best were Warne-Smith, Chadwick and Taylor. The win left Melbourne a game and a significant percentage advantage in front of fifth. They were the first team to pass 1000 points for the season.

Seconds
Melbourne 12.12.84 d. Fitzroy 7.15.57

Media
Argus - 12/07/1926
Table Talk - 15/07/1926
Football Record R12 1926