Round 18, 1939
Melbourne vs Fitzroy
Saturday 2 September
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 9043
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.5 | 6.10 | 8.11 | 11.15.81 |
| Fitzroy | 2.5 | 4.5 | 4.10 | 4.11.35 |
Melbourne win by 46 points
Goalkickers: Norm Smith 3, Ron Baggott 2, Percy Beames 2, Jack Mueller 2, Ron Barassi 1, Keith Truscott 1
Milestones:
Nil
Assured of a top two spot the Demons were still playing to hold onto first place on the ladder, but had to wait an extra week to confirm their status as minor premiers due to a round postponed on account of the awful condition of league grounds after a long spell of wet weather. Large parts of the MCG were still covered in water, making fast play impossible. After kicking the first goal of the game, Fitzroy led by a goal after the first quarter. Light rain began to fall again, causing the game to become contested, with players soccering the ball along the ground instead of taking possession.
The visitors opened the scoring in the second term, but quick goals to Truscott and Barassi put Melbourne ahead. The margin was out to 17 at the long break, but the Maroons only kicked six behinds in the second half and were beaten comfortably. Their better handling of the conditions, kicking long instead of trying to land precise passes, only carried them so far, and they finished the season with defeat, while Melbourne went on to a final against Collingwood the next week.
best were Truscott, Emselle, and Smith. 19th man O'Keefe replaced Beames (injured) in the last quarter.
The following day Great Britain declared war on Germany, officially beginning World War II.
Seconds
Melbourne 14.26.110 d. Fitzroy 8.3.51
Media
Herald - 25/08/1939, 02/09/1939
Sporting Globe - 02/09/1939
Football Record - 1939 Finals