Round 18, 1952
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Saturday 23 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 16,402
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 2.4 | 6.8 | 9.10 | 11.16.82 |
| North Melbourne | 5.1 | 7.3 | 12.5 | 15.7.97 |
North Melbourne win by 15 points
Goalkickers: Noel Clarke 5, Ken Albiston 3, John Beckwith 1, Jack Thomson 1, Jim Wilson 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Maurie Lehmann
George O'Keefe
100 Games
Noel McMahen
All but officially eliminated from the finals race after their Round 17 loss, the Demons' fate was made absolutely certain when they suffered defeat at the hands of North.
The Kangaroos got the jump, and opened up a 15 point lead but Melbourne dragged it back to one by half time thanks to three late second quarter goals to Noel Clarke. North were clearly the better side after half time though and ran away with the game with superior pace while Melbourne were lifeless.
The visitors scored five goals from their first six scoring shots and opened up a fifteen point lead. Melbourne dragged that back to one by half-time, thanks to three goals to Clarke just before the break, but North were clearly the better side after the half and replied with four quick goals early in the third term to take the advantage back. Melbourne were without some of their key players but it didn't excuse their lack of 'bite' in attack.
Geoff McGivern was lively at centre half-forward, but Denis Cordner couldn't exert his usual influence in the ruck. Alongside McGivern, Spencer and McMahon were the Demons best. McKenzie (bruised thigh) was replaced by Lehmann at half time and McMahen (bruised thigh) by Lane during the last quarter.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.11.95 d. North Melbourne 7.8.50
Goals - Unknown
Best - Lack, Johnston, Staines
Notes
Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 15,770
Media
Argus - 22/08/1952
Age - 23/08/1952
Age - 25/08/1952
Argus - 25/08/1952
Age - 27/08/1952
Football Record R19 1952