Round 17, 1945
Melbourne vs Footscray
Saturday 11 August
Venue: Punt Road
Attendance: 12,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 4.6 | 9.15 | 12.18.90 |
| Footscray | 4.2 | 7.7 | 9.7 | 12.9.81 |
Melbourne win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Fred Fanning 4, Jack Mitchell 3, Norm Smith 2, Ron Baggott 1, Frank Kennedy 1, Ralph Latham 1
Milestones:
Last game
Frank Hughes
Footscray had lost four in a row to be left on the edge of the top four, and their fifth defeat in a row dealt them an almost fatal blow with a narrow victory.
Before the match Checker Hughes was said to have addressed his players by saying "During the war, many of you young players have been wearing the numbers of players who have made this club famous. Some of them made the supreme sacrifice. These players were champions because they would never admit defeat. You have the ability to win. Now go out there and win!"
Footscray were the first team on the attack, but they ran into a strong Melbourne defence that wouldn't let them through. The Demons bounced back to get the first goal of the day through Kennedy. The visitors soon settled, and with a better system they overtook Melbourne to hit the front before quarter time. Only a late goal by Baggott kept his side within six points.
Fanning got the first goal of the second quarter, but again Footscray were the better side in the entirety of the term and extended their lead to 19. Quick goals cut the margin to less than six points, before Footscray kicked a pair of steadiers. These were responded to by a double from Fanning, and Melbourne had an eight point margin at the last change.
Each side had their chances in the last quarter, but Footscray couldn't eat into the gap any further and lost on behinds.
Best were Scanlon, Kramer and Fanning. 19th man Lenne replaced La Fontaine (concussion) at half time.
Seconds
Footscray 15.26 d. Melbourne 8.7
Notes
Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 14,000
Media
Sporting Globe - 11/08/1945
Sporting Globe - 15/08/1945
Football Record R18 1945