Round 17, 1939
South Melbourne vs Melbourne
Saturday 19 August
Venue: Lake Oval
Attendance: 5000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| South Melbourne | 3.3 | 6.5 | 10.8 | 11.14.80 |
| Melbourne | 2.3 | 6.5 | 9.9 | 12.12.84 |
Melbourne win by 4 points
Goalkickers: Ron Baggott 3, Percy Beames 2, Rowley Fischer 2, Norm Smith 2, Harold Ball 1, Les Jones 1, Alby Rodda 1
Milestones:
Last Game
Ted Buckley
First against last on the premiership table didn't look like much of a contest on paper, but other than their 107 point capitulation against Melbourne earlier in the season, South had shown reasonable form against top sides, and nearly pulled off the upset of the season. They were assisted by fierce winds, and a heavy ground that slowed Melbourne to a crawl, affecting their usual fast play. With the visitors unable to adapt to the conditions, fumbling, overrunning the ball, and mis-kicking, the match was ruined as a spectacle, but remained close throughout the afternoon.
South kicked the first two goals, and went into quarter time six points ahead of their more fancied oppositon. Scores were level at half time, before South took a five point lead into the last change. They kicked the first goal of the last quarter, but lost a player to injury, and were unable to hold on with just 17 players. They kicked five behinds in a row, while Melbourne retook the lead. The margin was out to 10, before a goal on the bell cut the margin back to four points.
Guarding a five point lead going into the last change South pushed another goal in front and looked good for the shock win before an injury left them with just 17 men on the field and Melbourne took advantage to kick two goals and win narrowly.
Best were Lock, Anderson, and G. Jones. O'Keefe was 19th man. Lock injured his ankle.
Elsewhere, Collingwood won narrowly against Hawthorn to keep the race for the minor premiership open going into the last game of the year. Melbourne just had to win against Fitzroy, or defend a 5% percentage lead to finish first.
Seconds
Melbourne 13.16 d. South Melbourne 7.12
Goals - Fanning 5, Gibb 3, Symonds 2, Murnane 1, Barassi 1, Neenan 1
Best - Barassi, Williams, Murnane
Media
Age - 18/08/1939, 21/08/1939
Football Record - R18 1939
Sporting Globe - 19/08/1939
Herald - 21/08/1939
Weekly Times - 26/08/1939