Round 5, 1948
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Saturday 15 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 12,831
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 3.3 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 14.11.95 |
| North Melbourne | 4.5 | 4.6 | 6.12 | 6.14.50 |
Melbourne win by 45 points
Goalkickers: Lance Arnold 3, Ernie O'Rourke 3, Frank O'Connor 2, Alby Rodda 2, Adrian Dullard 1, Bob McKenzie 1, Frank Scanlan 1, Norm Smith 1
Milestones:
Nil
A hard fought surprise victory over Richmond a week earlier had rescued Melbourne's season and avoided a 1-3 start, and they continued to recover their finals hopes with another victory.
Melbourne didn't have it all their home way, they trailed at the first change and were just two points in front at the last before launching their second straight final quarter blitz to run out comfortable winners. North's poor forward work cost them many opportunities, and Melbourne's defence was its saving grace until the last term when the forwards got into gear.
The Shinboners led by eight points at quarter time, but their early pace faded and the Demons opened an 18 point gap. North's backs were also strong, and in the third their defence kept Melbourne at bay long enough for the forwards to cut the margin to two points at the last change.
At the scoring end Melbourne got the goals they needed to move into fourth on percentage, three in a row to open a comfortable gap before a calamitous handball in defence allowed Rodda to kick the sealer. O'Rourke then added a double to increase the margin.
Best were McGrath, McLean and Deans. O'Rourke replaced Rodda in the third quarter and Bowman was an unused 20th man.
Seconds
Melbourne 9.12 d. North Melbourne 8.11
Media
Sporting Globe - 15/05/1948
Football Record R6 1948