Saturday 19 August - Madeline Street Reserve
Crowd: 5000-6000
Carlton 2
Melbourne 2 (half-time 0-2)
Match drawn
Goalkickers: Utar Nicholas 1, James Bennie 1
In the first game at Carlton's new arena Melbourne dominated the first half but the home side managed to get out of the game with a draw.
Before the game Melbourne had protested at one of the Carlton players, claiming that he had already played for Geelong earlier in the year. Carlton refused to withdraw him and the game went on regardless, starting half an hour late. The Reds went in without several of their best players - including Carr, F. Baker, Williams and Johnson.
Nicholas got Melbourne's first goal before Carlton began to launch attacks, which were turned back by the Red defence before Bennie got the second.
Carlton got one goal back shortly after the restart, and despite several Melbourne attacks they were unable to stop the Blues from registering a second goal. Each team had chances to win the game in the dying moments but neither could convert and the match ended in a draw.
Best were Goldsmith, McDonald and the Bennie brothers.
Media
Leader - 26/08/1876
Australasian - 26/08/1876
Sydney Mail - 02/09/1876