THE WAR STEADILY started to invade life in 1940, becoming part of the everyday, not over by Christmas or any time in the foreseeable future. Melbourne had just 1,978 members, sadly proclaimed to be ‘altogether too small’, particularly with the great achievements of the team for the second year in a row. 

 

There was, however, light beyond the gloom. While most of their boys were still gathered in safety, the Demons again proved to be the VFL powerhouse team, finishing at the top of the ladder when the home and away season closed, with only four losses, offset by fourteen wins, to head into finals time.

 

Full of ‘excellent spirit which animated the Club during this great season’, the team battled injury and enlistment absences throughout the season. ‘Friends On Service Abroad’ included Atkins, Ball, Barassi, Cuttriss, Furniss and Truscott from the playing list, and a long roll call of support staff members, including former players Ivor Warne-Smith and Harry Long.

 

With the top place finish, life was looking good, but then came the Tigers in the second semi-final. ‘Captain Blood’ - Jack Dyer - felled Norm Smith, but was not up to the task of taking on a sturdy Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott, who scored two goals. 

 

Richmond proved victorious by only one goal, and the Demons redeemed themselves in a soggy Preliminary Final against Essendon. Young ruckman Harold Ball was instrumental as the rain fell in the final quarter, taking fifteen marks, then filling a gap at full-back as the depleted Melbourne side saw out the game to a five point win. 

 

A week later, it was back against the yellow and black in the Grand Final - and it was still wet. But the Melbourne outfit was ready. On the Thursday night before the game, after training, a meeting was held between a number of players and coach ‘Checker’ Hughes. In later years, rover Percy Beames would describe it as a ‘campaign meeting - we had to figure out how to overcome them!’ Between them, they decided how to deal with Richmond - most particularly how to deal with Dyer. 

 

It was finally decided to put Jack O’Keefe onto Dyer. O’Keefe was the police force’s champion boxer of the day, quite prepared to act as Dyer’s shadow, as well as the barrier between Dyer and any Melbourne player.

 

Rain set in as soon as the game started. It did not bother Melbourne - the Demons led by 45 points at half-time. Seven goals to Smith, Dyer contained effectively by O’Keefe - the back-to-back achievement was there for all to enjoy for the first time in the Club’s history. Some on the MCG were taking part in their last game ever for Melbourne. Ruckman Harold Ball was there, wearing No. 11. Among his teammates were Anderson, Barassi - nineteenth man in this 1940 premiership side - and Truscott, with just one more game awaiting him.

 

For now, however, it was time to celebrate a memorable premiership win. Melbourne had never been headed, and ran out winners by 39 points. And so it was on to post-match celebrations, with Melbourne supporter Dick Lean entertaining the team at a wrestling match. Tough times, trying times and even further triumphs lay ahead for the side, but at this very moment, it was time to relax and enjoy the ‘thrills of pleasure’ that resulted from this season’s victory.

 

MELBOURNE: Beames, Smith, Baggott, La Fontaine, Mueller, Ball

RICHMOND: Harris, Titus, McDonald, Dyer, Edwards, Cotter

 

MELBOURNE: Smith (7), Baggott (2), Beames (2), O’Keefe (2), Fanning, Truscott.

RICHMOND: Harris (5), Titus (3), Bawden, Crane.

 

Played at MCG

Attendance: 70,330

Umpire: A. Blackburn

 

B: R. Emselle, F. Roberts, H. Ball

HB: C. McLean, G. Jones, R. Hingston

C: R. Wartman, A. La Fontaine (captain), S. Anderson

HF: M. Gibb, R. Baggott, K. Truscott

F: F. Fanning, N. Smith, A. Rodda

R: J. Furniss, R. Kimberley, P. Beames

Reserve: R. Barassi

COACH: F. V. Hughes

 

B: K. O’Neill, G. Smeaton, J. Symons

HB: R. Steele, I. Hull, J. Cotter

C: A. McDonald, B. Waldron, B. Edwards

HF: R. Martin, J. Crane, L. Smith

F: R. Bawden, J. Titus, R. Harris

R: P. Bentley (captain), J. Dyer, J. Quinn

Reserve: L. Merrett

COACH: P. Bentley