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Apparently the rivalry between the Swans and Demons goes back to their first meeting in round 1, 1897, the very first year of the VFL.
I found this description of the most famous of their encounters on the Demons' site, and had a good laugh -
"Towards the end of the 1915 season they became embroiled in one of the fiercest brawls ever seen in the history of the game. As World War One took hold, interest in football was waning. But the spark was rekindled in a late season encounter at the MCG.
There was a ground invasion at the MCG of around 2000 spectators during this Melbourne-South Melbourne game.
Len 'Innocent Mary' Incigneri was thought to have started the whole incident by king-hitting South's Payne - the tallest man on the ground - behind the play.
The steward (a short-lived figure in the game, brought in to stamp out rough play - which didn't work on this occasion) and the umpire told Incigneri he was reported. This came after a series of altercations, mainly generated by dubious umpiring decisions. The crowd had had enough and joined in, along with seven or eight policemen.
One spectator swung at Melbourne 'big man', Alf George, and received a blood nose in return for his efforts. The crowd then turned their attention to George - but neither he nor Incigneri would leave the ground.
One Melbourne player, Bacquie, who was not actually playing, then came onto the ground and ended up being knocked out by a soldier on leave. (This altercation was continued at an MCG bar after the game, and the soldier won the re-match. Unfortunately Bacquie, while a talented forward, was extremely volatile. He had been suspended for an entire season - 1911 - when playing with Carlton, after being reported for fighting in the 1910 Grand Final).
The game was eventually resumed. Extra police were called for. Fortunately, they were not needed.
South Melbourne won by seven points, the only player reported was Incigneri - who was suspended for eight weeks - and at least 115 free kicks were awarded during the match."
I found this description of the most famous of their encounters on the Demons' site, and had a good laugh -
"Towards the end of the 1915 season they became embroiled in one of the fiercest brawls ever seen in the history of the game. As World War One took hold, interest in football was waning. But the spark was rekindled in a late season encounter at the MCG.
There was a ground invasion at the MCG of around 2000 spectators during this Melbourne-South Melbourne game.
Len 'Innocent Mary' Incigneri was thought to have started the whole incident by king-hitting South's Payne - the tallest man on the ground - behind the play.
The steward (a short-lived figure in the game, brought in to stamp out rough play - which didn't work on this occasion) and the umpire told Incigneri he was reported. This came after a series of altercations, mainly generated by dubious umpiring decisions. The crowd had had enough and joined in, along with seven or eight policemen.
One spectator swung at Melbourne 'big man', Alf George, and received a blood nose in return for his efforts. The crowd then turned their attention to George - but neither he nor Incigneri would leave the ground.
One Melbourne player, Bacquie, who was not actually playing, then came onto the ground and ended up being knocked out by a soldier on leave. (This altercation was continued at an MCG bar after the game, and the soldier won the re-match. Unfortunately Bacquie, while a talented forward, was extremely volatile. He had been suspended for an entire season - 1911 - when playing with Carlton, after being reported for fighting in the 1910 Grand Final).
The game was eventually resumed. Extra police were called for. Fortunately, they were not needed.
South Melbourne won by seven points, the only player reported was Incigneri - who was suspended for eight weeks - and at least 115 free kicks were awarded during the match."
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