During the season, the Carlton Football Club had been split by infighting within the committee, resulting in the resignation of coach Jack Worrall Round 13.

The South Melbourne side was missing full-back Bill Dolphin, who was injured; winger Jim Caldwell, who had been suspended for nine matches for striking Carlton's George Bruce in the previous week's preliminary final; and top forward Dick Casey, who was injured from the previous week's final.

Had Casey been fit, he would have taken pressure off South Melbourne's leading goalkicker that season, Len Mortimer, who, despite kicking a goal, played indifferently throughout.

Norm Clark was available for Carlton; he replaced Les Beck from the Blues' winning Final side of the previous week.

In the first quarter, South Melbourne's back-flanker Tom Grimshaw was knocked out, but he eventually recovered consciousness and finished the match standing in the goal square.

With five minutes to go, "Mallee" Johnson and Charlie Hammond got the ball to centre half-forward Harvey Kelly, who kicked a goal, bringing Carlton to two points behind.