1948 VFL Grand Final And Replay — First Drawn GF
The 1948 VFL Grand Final and replay saw Melbourne defeat Essendon — initially in a draw, then in the replay 13.11 (89) to 7.13 (55) — to claim their flag after a famous drawn Grand Final. The original on 25 September 1948 was a 10.9 (69) all draw. The replay on 2 October 1948 saw the Demons win by 34 points. The 1948 was the first drawn Grand Final in VFL history.
The Build-Up: First Drawn Grand Final
Melbourne and Essendon had reached the Grand Final after strong seasons. The match was the year’s signature contest.
The Original Grand Final (25 September 1948)
The 1948 Grand Final was a defensive contest. Both teams were tightly matched. Final score at the siren: Melbourne 10.9 (69) drew with Essendon 10.9 (69). The first drawn Grand Final in VFL history.
The Replay (2 October 1948)
The replay was held the following Saturday. Melbourne started fast and held throughout. Multiple Demons contributed.
Final replay score: Melbourne 13.11 (89) defeated Essendon 7.13 (55) — a 34-point replay margin.
Famous Moments
- The first drawn Grand Final in VFL history.
- Melbourne’s tactical adjustments between original and replay.
- The replay’s 34-point margin.
- The crowd of 85,755 at the original.
- The crowd at the replay.
- Multiple Demons’ contributions.
- Norm Smith Medal not yet instituted.
- Dick Reynolds’s gracious post-replay.
- The drawn Grand Final precedent — set the rule changes for 1977 and 2010.
- Standard MCG atmosphere.
Trivia for the Pub
- Date: Original: 25 September 1948; Replay: 2 October 1948.
- Original: 10.9 (69) drew with 10.9 (69).
- Replay: Melbourne 13.11 (89) defeated Essendon 7.13 (55).
- Replay margin: 34 points.
- Melbourne’s 6th VFL premiership.
- The 1948 was the first drawn Grand Final in VFL history.
- The replay precedent informed the 1977 and 2010 drawn Grand Finals.
- Norm Smith Medal not yet instituted.
- The 1948 win launched the Demons’ continuing era.
- The 1955-1960 Norm Smith Demons dynasty was 7 years away.
The Verdict
The 1948 VFL Grand Final and replay was the first drawn Grand Final in VFL history. The Melbourne win in the replay launched the Demons’ continuing era. Long live the 1948 Demons.
