Round 14, 1947
Melbourne vs Fitzroy
Saturday 19 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 23,307
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.4 | 3.6 | 6.8 | 7.10.52 |
| Fitzroy | 2.3 | 6.4 | 8.6 | 11.8.74 |
Fitzroy win by 22 points
Goalkickers: Des Bell 1, Don Cordner 1, Eddie Craddock 1, Len Dockett 1, Noel McMahen 1, Jim Mitchell 1, Alby Rodda 1
Milestones:
First Game
Eddie Craddock
Max Spittle
First Goal
Eddie Craddock
100 Games
Fred Fanning
With their finals hopes hanging on by a thread after four straight losses, defeat against the Maroons almost certainly cost the 1946 Grand Final side their spot in the September action.
The Melbourne selectors tried to introduce some life into the side by picking two debutants but in rainy, muddy conditions Fitzroy kicked away in the second quarter and held their lead for the rest of the day to put themselves inside the top four. Conditions were so bad that during the seconds curtain raiser the two sides ignored the half time break and played on to get their match over with as quickly as possible.
Melbourne's talls were no match for Fitzroy's smalls in the wet conditions and the Maroons showed that they were more adept at wet weather football. The pacy visitors played around the wings and were too fast for their opponents.
The pace and crumbing advantage showed from the first bounce, but stout defence from Arnold, McGrath and Lock kept them down to one goal. Fitzroy kicked the first two, but the second was immediately replied to, and a late goal to Mitchell gave Melbourne a narrow lead at quarter time.
Fitzroy took over the second quarter, holding Melbourne to a single goal and kicking four of their own. Rain continued to pour after half time, and Melbourne enjoyed a rare period of dominance to get within striking distance before a defensive blunder featuring three defenders crashing into each other allowed their opponents to kick the steadier. A late goal cut the margin back to 10 points, but three to one in the last saw Fitzroy run away with victory.
Don Cordner, Dockett and Rodda were best. Hanna replaced an injured Fanning (leg) at half time. The loss dropped the Demons to seventh.
Seconds
Fitzroy 7.18.60 d. Melbourne 4.10.34
Thirds
Melbourne 9.8 d.Fitzroy 7.4
Media
Sporting Globe - 19/07/1947
Sporting Globe - 19/07/1947
Football Record R15 1947