Saturday 16 June - Brisbane Exhibition Ground
Crowd: 3000-5000
Queensland 3.5
Melbourne 6.16 (half time 2-3)
Melbourne win by 3 goals
The locals were at a disadvantage due to the match being played under "Victorian Rules" which they weren't familiar with, but the visitors played with a side that captain Howard King admitted was not their best. Even with Queensland expected to lose, crowd numbers were boosted by rugby union clubs postponing games on the same day. Queensland Governor Musgrave was present for the first half.
After a 30 minute delay from the arranged start time, Melbourne got the first goal within three minutes, but despite the confusion over the rules the locals managed to keep the score down to 3-2 in the first half.
The visitors were made to work hard but took over in the second half, despite finishing the game one player short after an injury to Brookes.
Notes
Some sources have the scores 4.16 to 1.5 or 5-3.
Media
Brisbane Courier - 15/06/1888
Telegraph - 18/06/1888
Brisbane Courier - 20/06/1888
Brisbane Courier - 21/06/1888
Australasian - 23/06/1888
Sydney Mail - 23/06/1888