Saturday 10 May - Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne 4
Hawthorn 1 (half time 2-1)
Melbourne win by 3 goals
Goalkickers: J. Cook 2, Upton 1, Harrison 1
After opening their season with a win against a combined public schools team, Melbourne then welcomed the 'junior' Hawthorn club to the MCG. The juniors played with 25 players against Melbourne's 20 but despite fighting harder than expected were beaten comfortably.
The home side ran out to a two goal lead, with the second coming from a kick on a difficult angle by Upton but Hawthorn got their first goal on the board two minutes before half time.
Melbourne dominated for the next half an hour but couldn't find a second goal until Cook added his second from a set shot. This sparked a comeback by Hawthorn who then bombarded Melbourne's goal without reward and in the dying minutes the home side moved the ball down their end and scored the sealer through Harrison.
Best were W Longden, B. Longden and Bennie.
Media
Argus - 10/05/1879
Australasian - 17/05/1879