Round 17, 1949
Melbourne vs St. Kilda
Saturday 13 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 17,612
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.4 | 5.8 | 10.12 | 15.16.106 |
| St. Kilda | 3.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 7.10.52 |
Melbourne win by 54 points
Goalkickers: Colin Love 4, Bob McKenzie 3, Len Toyne 3, Ray Harvey 2, Denis Cordner 1, Alby Rodda 1, Stan Rule 1
Milestones:
First Game
Ray Harvey
Jack Thomson
First Goal
Ray Harvey
Colin Love (2nd game)
With three games to play Melbourne had done themselves no favours in the tight race for fourth place by losing a tight game to North Melbourne the previous Saturday, but they made some amends by easily thrashing the Saints. It was Melbourne's highest score and biggest win of a disappointing season.
The Demons were wasteful early, kicking 1.4 in the opening stages before conceding two goals to the Saints. From the start of the second quarter Melbourne began to kick accurately and they were out to an 12 point lead at the half.
At the start of the third quarter neither side was able to break through the other's attack until Rule opened the scoring, prompting a flood of four more goals to no reply and a 42 point lead at the final change. St Kilda goalled to open the last quarter, before Love and Toyne responded to make the lead 48 and Melbourne were not challenged again.
Victory left the Demons facing a death or glory match against Essendon the next week which would all but decide their fate.
Woods, Deans and McLean were best. Thompson replaced Cordner (ankle) at three quarter time, and Carlon was unused 20th man.
Seconds
Melbourne 18.23 d. St Kilda 13.6
Thirds
Melbourne 10.8 d. St Kilda 9.11
Media
Sporting Globe - 10/08/1949
Sporting Globe - 13/08/1949
Football Record R18 1949