Geelong vs Melbourne
Saturday 20 August
Venue: Corio Oval
Attendance: Approximately 4000
| HT | Final | |
| Geelong | 2.0 | 4.12 |
| Melbourne | 3.12 | 3.14 |
Geelong win by 1 goal
Goalkickers: Syme 1, Stiffe 1, McKenzie 1
On the day that Victoria and South Australia played their interstate match at the MCG, Melbourne travelled to Geelong for their second match of the year against the top country side. Both teams were missing players to the state squad but 500 fans travelled from the city to see the game.
The home team was the red hot favourites, and despite kicking into a breeze early they got the first goal. Melbourne had a number of chances but could only register behinds, and after half an hour when they had been the better side despite the score Geelong registered a second goal against the run of play.
The expected slaughter looked on the cards, but the second goal sparked Melbourne into scoring three quick goals through Syme, Stiffe and McKenzie to put them in front at half time. They had set out to deny Geelong possession by using a little marking game, and for a time this was successful.
With the wind in the second half the Pivotonians were a much improved side, and after three unsuccessful attempts on the goal they scored the leveller before getting the winner 25 minutes later.
Melbourne's best were Adams, Thewlis and Aitken.
Notes
Some sources have the scores as 4.4 - 3.15
Media
Argus - 22/08/1881
Australasian - 27/08/1881