June 7 - MCG
Crowd: 10,000-12,000
Melbourne 0
Carlton 4 (half time 0-2)
Carlton win by 4 goals
A week after drawing the largest crowd of the season to date against Hotham, Melbourne and Carlton dragged even more in to the MCG to see the clash between traditional rivals. It was said at the time to be the largest crowd since WG Grace's English cricket team toured.
In 1878 Melbourne had beaten Carlton four times in a row, but the visitors took their revenge in comprehensive fashion with a shutout victory.
The home side attacked first but only managed a behind, and for the next few minutes all the action was in front of the goal they were defending. When they did have a chance F. Baker's kick from 70 yards out fell short, and from the restart Carlton went forward and scored the opening goal of the match. Less than three minutes later they doubled their advantage.
Melbourne attacked first at the start of the second half and kept the ball at Carlton's end, but they couldn't score and lost the elder Longden brother for about 10 minutes when he was knocked out in a tussle. He returned to loud cheers from the spectators, but Melbourne couldn't manage a score.
Eventually after 20 minutes of being under pressure Carlton broke free and scored the first goal. The closest Melbourne got to a reply was a shot deflected through the posts by the Carlton goalkeeper. With two minutes to play the visitors kicked a fourth to wrap up an easy victory.
Best were Downes, the E. Longden and Baker.
Media
Argus - 09/06/1879
Australasian - 14/06/1879
Australasian - 14/06/1879