Round 2, 1939
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 29 April
Venue: Windy Hill
Attendance: 20,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 6.5 | 7.8 | 15.17 | 19.21.135 |
| Melbourne | 4.4 | 11.10 | 15.11 | 21.15.141 |
Melbourne win by 6 points
Goalkickers: Norm Smith 4, Ron Baggott 3, Ron Barassi 1936 3, Alby Rodda 3, Hugh Murnane 2, Harold Ball 1, Rowley Fischer 1, Maurie Gibb 1, Les Jones 1, Jack Maher 1, Keith Truscott 1
Milestones:
First game
Bill Baxter
Alby Rodda (and first goal)
First Goal
Harold Ball (2nd game)
The two sides had enjoyed vastly differing fortunes on the opening day of the season. Essendon, who finished two wins below Melbourne in 1938, beat finalists Footscray while Melbourne were thrashed by Richmond - the team that finished wedged between them and their next opponents on the table.
A new stand was opened at Windy Hill, and when Essendon were on top in a 10 goal first quarter with the breeze it looked like they were going to have a good day. The game turned in its head in the second quarter when the Redlegs kicked seven goals to one - including the last six - to take a comfortable lead.
Essendon then stole back the momentum with an eight goal third quarter which gave them a one goal lead going into the final term. With the two sides having battered each other for three quarters it was Melbourne who fell over the line thanks to three last quarter goals to Alby Rodda.
The huge score contributed to the highest scoring round in VFL history, and Essendon's score was at the time the second highest ever kicked in a loss.
Baggott, stand-in captain Mueller and Rodda were best. Les Jones played his best game for a year coming on as 19th man for the injured Frank Roberts. Harley had originally been named 19th man but started on the ground as Furniss was a late withdrawal. Rodda injured his thigh.
Seconds
Melbourne 18.11.119 d. Essendon 6.16.52
Goals - Fanning 7, Unknown 11
Media
Sporting Globe - 26/04/1939
Herald - 28/04/1939
Herald - 28/04/1939
Sporting Globe - 29/04/1939
Argus - 05/05/1939
Football Record R3 1939