Round 16, 1931
Footscray vs Melbourne
Saturday 29 August
Venue: Western Oval
Attendance: 12,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Footscray | 2.2 | 4.6 | 8.8 | 10.12.72 |
| Melbourne | 0.4 | 2.6 | 5.7 | 5.8.38 |
Footscray win by 34 points
Goalkickers: Robert C Johnson 3, Bill Adams 1, George Margitich 1
Milestones:
MFC Debut
Bill Adams
Melbourne's up and down recent run saw them back down again as they took their first ever VFL loss against the Tricolours.
Ivor Warne-Smith won the toss and kicked with the breeze, but what started as a rare dry Saturday afternoon Footscray's pressure style stopped the Demons from practising their usual fast and open play. Rain began falling during the first quarter, allowing the home side to settle down and take over. With high marking impossible while using a greasy ball, Footscray were more comfortable in the slog and went into quarter time 10 points ahead.
Against the wind Melbourne got their first through Johnson early in the second, and for a time they were on top without reward before Footscray got a steadying goal. The sides traded goals from there and the home side went into the long break an even two goals ahead.
The Tricolours got the first two of the third quarter to take a stranglehold on the contest, before a three goal rally saw the visitors draw to seven point behinds. They never kicked another goal and Footscray won comfortably.
A brief rally in the third quarter saw the visitors draw within seven points, but they never kicked another goal and were back to 19 points behind by the last change. Any chance of a comeback was ended by an early Footscray goal, and the home side went on to win comfortably.
Abernethy, Ogden and Vine were best. Hec Davidson was 19th man. Vine suffered an injured knee.
Seconds
Melbourne 13.20 d. Footscray 10.13
Media
Sporting Globe - 29/08/1931
Football Record R17 1931