Semi Final Replay, 1928
Collingwood vs Melbourne
Saturday 22 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 42,175
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Collingwood | 2.2 | 3.3 | 5.7 | 10.8.68 |
| Melbourne | 1.4 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 9.10.64 |
Collingwood win by 4 points
Goalkickers: Robert C Johnson 5, Col Deane 1, Francis Vine 1, Herbert White 1, Stan Wittman 1
Milestones:
Last MFC game
Bert Chadwick
Hugh Dunbar
The two sides who couldn't be separated a week earlier barely managed a definitive result in the replay. Once again Collingwood seemed home at the last change but almost fell victim to another determined Fuschia comeback. This time, at least, they scored five goals of their own in the final term and fell over the line.
Despite terrible weather for football, with a strong dusty wind blowing and often sending the ball off course Collingwood started brightly. Despite Melbourne having the better of a poor quality first quarter, in the end the Magpies still took a lead into the first change of ends. Melbourne's good field play only gained them a single goal at the end of the quarter.
The wind changed direction in the second quarter, and both a dust storm and rain hit the ground. Not surprisingly given the conditions it was a quarter for defenders and a total of nine points was scored for the entire term. Collingwood got the only goal to extend their lead. Melbourne suffered a blow when Jack Collins, who had been playing well in defence, suffered torn knee cartilage early in the quarter. He had to hobble forward where he wasn't much help to his side.
The third quarter was the best of the day, and Melbourne took the lead halfway through the third quarter after Francis Vine kicked a goal, but from then on until the last change it was all Collingwood and they opened up an 11 point lead at the last change.
Each side had a burst of three goals in three minutes during the last quarter. First Collingwood opened up a lead of five goals, before Melbourne struck back. At the 20 minute mark the side lifted,, and With just a couple of minutes to go Collingwood were 10 points in front, before shots by McConville and Abernethy both fell short. Johnson kicked a goal on the siren but it counted for nothing.
The Reds' gamble in playing the underdone Hugh Dunbar came unstuck when the harness designed to strengthen his knee troubled him out of the game. Barnes and Deane also ended the game limping.
The extra game didn't trouble the Pies who went on to win the Grand Final comfortably - a week later than expected. If Melbourne had won they'd have had to play Richmond the next week for the right to play the Magpies a third time in the Grand Final.
Best for Melbourne were Tymms, Warne-Smith and Chadwick. The Reds won the free kick count 64 to 46 - including 33 for out of bounds. Stan Wittman received nine of the frees.
Notes
Sporting Globe says Collins was injured and Dunbar replaced him in defence.
Media
Sporting Globe - 22/09/1928
Argus - 24/09/1928
Age - 24/09/1928
Football Record 1928 Grand Final