Round 4, 1933
Fitzroy vs Melbourne
Saturday 20 May
Venue: Brunswick Street
Attendance: 22,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Fitzroy | 3.4 | 6.7 | 9.10 | 11.16.82 |
| Melbourne | 3.6 | 7.10 | 9.11 | 11.13.79 |
Fitzroy win by 3 points
Goalkickers: George Margitich 4, Rowley Fischer 2, Lou Riley 2, Bill Deague 1, Robert C Johnson 1, Colin Niven 1
Milestones:
MFC debut
Billy Libbis
After earning their first win of the season a week earlier Melbourne faced a tough task at Brunswick Street in heavy fog. They almost pulled off a surprise victory, losing in controversial circumstances despite losing multiple players to injury.
Colin Niven captained against the side he used to coach in the absence of Francis Vine. Despite the relative strength of the two sides they played out a high standard game. Riley got the first two goals, and Melbourne had three in a row before Fitzroy recovered to cut the margin to two at quarter time. The Reds were the best side in the air, but when the ball hit the ground Fitzroy was superior. After the sides traded the lead during the second quarter, Melbourne held a nine point lead at half time. In the third quarter the visitors continued to play a tough brand of football, winning the ruck and in the air but conceded the lead and only won it back when Margitich kicked a goal on the bell to give his side a one point lead.
Fog settled on the ground at the start of the last term, reducing visibility. Fitzroy opened a two goal lead, turning back many attacks by the opposition. Goals to Fischer and Johnson cut the gap to two points with two minutes left.
In the dying seconds, the ball was at Melbourne's end but the sound of the crowd was so loud that bell couldn't be heard. As Fitzroy fans celebrated winning, umpire McMurray didn't signal the game ver and George Margitich had a shot on goal to win the match. Melbourne thought the ball went through the middle posts but it was signalled as a point. The umpire and players didn't realise that the game was over until they saw fans running onto the field. Melbourne claimed that Margitich's shot was a goal and they should've won, but did not lodge a protest.
Best were Power, Ogden and Long. Barnett (shoulder), Beames (ankle) and Tymms (injured side) were all late withdrawals. Power, Conole and Libbis came into the side. 19th man Johnson replaced Vanthoff (thigh) early in the last quarter. Murray (collarbone) and Jones (collarbone) were also injured.
Players of both sides wore armbands and stood before a flag at half mast for president of the MCC Leo Cussen, who had died three days earlier.
Seconds
Melbourne 16.7 d. Fitzroy 12.12
Notes
Sporting Globe gives the crowd as 25,000 and Australasian says 19,000.
Media
Sporting Globe - 17/05/1933, 20/05/1933
Canberra Times - 22/05/1933
Argus - 22/05/1933
Age - 26/05/1933
Australasian - 27/05/1933
Football Record - R5 1933