Saturday 30 April - MCG
Crowd: 1000
Melbourne 4.10
Public Schools 0.5 (half time 2-0)
Melbourne win by 4 goals
Goalkickers: Aitken, Sibley, McKenzie, McDonald
The now traditional match between the VFA side's 20 and 25 from the combined public schools of the metropolis opened Melbourne's season, and both teams had their chances before Aitken opened the scoring for the senior team.
The schoolboys struck back and would have had an equaliser had a player not hit the post from one yard out on goal soon afterwards. This spurred Melbourne on and after new captain Lamrock implored his team to lift they did, with Sibley scoring the second courtesy of a pass from Macdonald.
A third followed soon after courtesy of McKenzie and a fourth from Macdonald. No more goals were scored and Melbourne opened their season with a comfortable victory.
Best were new player Morris, Aitken and Watson.
Selected team
J. Adams, D. Aitken, RD Booth, F. Clendinnen, H Downes, GM Houston, SC Lamrock, J. Macdonald, M. McKenzie, W. Manifold, J. Morris, C. Power, F. Power, H. Power, R. Sibley, WF Stiffe, CH Swyer, S. Thewlis, JF Watson, J. Wilson. Emergencies - F. Wedd, H. Syme
Media
Argus 02/05/1881
Weekly Times - 07/05/1881
Australasian - 07/05/1881