Saturday July 25 - Fitzroy Cricket Ground
Crowd - 2000-3000
Melbourne 1.7
Fitzroy 1.9 (half time 0.2 to 1.7)
Match drawn
Goalkickers: Baird 1
A week after pulling off one of the greatest upsets in VFA history, Melbourne had to settle for a draw in their next encounter.
The home side kicked with a slight breeze derived from a wind that was blowing across the ground, and they scored three behinds in a row before Melbourne added their first. Another two behinds for Fitzroy finally led to a break through where they put the first goal of the game on the board.
A late behind was only Melbourne's second scoring shot, against eight for the home team and they had to mount a desperate defence to keep Fitzroy out early in the second half. Eventually the visitors counter attacked and got their only goal of the game through Baird.
There were no further majors, with the ball spending much of its time on the win but Melbourne could have won the game with two late shots which only scored behinds.
Best were Carroll, Aitken and Plant.
Media
Argus - 27/07/1885
Sportsman - 29/07/1885
Australasian - 01/08/1885, 01/08/1885
Fitzroy City Press - 01/08/1885