Saturday 19 May - Melbourne Crowd
Crowd: About 1500
Melbourne 1
West Melbourne 0
Melbourne win by 1 goal
Goalkicker: Fred Baker 1
Unfavourable weather greeted the players for the first game of the year. A new set of rules had been proposed but not yet adopted, so the game was played under the 1876 vintage laws.
For the first game of the season the players were seen in the fashion of the day, woollen jackets or shirts, leather collars and laces instead of buttons.
The 25 of West Melbourne went in as underdogs, and the 20 of Melbourne threw them around like rag dolls using tactics that would be considered illegal just one week later. The only goal of the day was scored by F. Baker who kicked a goal from 60 yards out.
West had several opportunities to equalise but couldn't kick straight. The match was called off due to rain at half time and Melbourne were declared winners.
Best were Longden, F. Baker and C. Baker
Notes
Some sources suggest West Melbourne refused to play the second half due to the bad weather.
Media
The Argus - 21/05/1877
Australasian - 26/05/1877