As the final siren sounded, the lid was lifted on yet another of our game’s most rare happenings - a draw. As neither song rang out, and red and blue stared blankly at black and white on either side of the fence, the question arose after a short interval - how many draws has Melbourne had, and how many of those have been against Collingwood?
Melbourne has now had twenty drawn games in its history since the first games of the VFL in 1897, and with the addition of Monday’s Queen’s Birthday effort, five of those are against Collingwood, reflecting the intense rivalry between the two teams, and the never-say-die attitude that each takes right through to the final siren.
The most recent draw, however, was NOT against Collingwood. In much more dramatic fashion, it was against Geelong, at Skilled Stadium, in the dying rounds of 2006. With Melbourne having broken a two decade curse the season before - by just one point - there was much anticipation for this encounter. Despite kicking away to a sound early lead, Geelong streaked away to kick six goals to two in the final quarter. It set up a heart stopping final term that finally saw both sides take two points with a draw. The heartbreak, however, was Geelong’s. Desperately needing to win to maintain even the faintest hope of finals action, the Cats could now start preparing for 2007.
Finals and draws are not unknown to Melbourne - its first was against Collingwood, in 1928. It was a season that became drily termed ‘a glorious failure’. Twice the final siren sounded just as an opposition player was permitted to kick a score immediately following. Once was during the home and away season, and resulted in Melbourne losing to St Kilda by a point, as well as relinquishing second place on the ladder. The second time, however, was more heartbreaking. In the drawn semi-final, the bell had sounded for three-quarter time when a behind was snapped for Collingwood. If this had not been counted, Melbourne would have won by a point, instead of drawing and eventually being defeated in the replay.
Two decades on, and the first Grand Final draw saw Melbourne participating. It was 1948, and Essendon’s woeful kicking - 7.27 - cost them as dearly as Collingwood’s wayward boots did in Round 12, 2010. In the replay, it was a case of no contest, as Melbourne streaked to a 39 point win and the team’s sixth VFL flag.
Other draws have punctuated the seasons, small novelties in the records. But, there is no doubt that, at the time, from Round Nine 1898 and equalling scores with Carlton, through to this Monday just past, the draw is a very different feeling to either win or loss.
Melbourne’s Draw Roll Call
Carlton - Round Nine 1898, Round Twelve 1952
Collingwood - Round Nine 1909, SF 1928, Round 16 1935, Round 13 1957, Round 12 2010
Essendon - Round One 1921, GF 1948
Fitzroy - Round Seven 1901, Round 14 1959, Round 12 1961
Geelong - Round Two 1911, Round 21 2006
North Melbourne - Round 18 1971
Richmond - Round Six 1925, Round 12 1953
St Kilda - Round Five 1921
Sydney/South Melbourne - Round Seven 1992
Western Bulldogs/Footscray - Round Five 1929
