Saturday 30 May - Richmond Cricket Ground
Richmond 3.13
Melbourne 1.20 (half time 3.10-0.5)
Richmond win by 2 goals
Goalkicker: Willis 1
In their first ever VFA match against the oldest club in the land, Richmond won the toss and kicked with the wind. It helped them to a match winning lead, with a goal shortly after kick off and two more to reply before half time.
Melbourne couldn't capitalise on the home side losing one of their best men for the second half with a shoulder injury. They were restricted to a series of speculative shots by the tight Richmond defence and registered 1.15 for the half. Even the goal was claimed to have been touched off the boot.
Defeat left Melbourne with five straight VFA defeats to start the season - their worst opening to a season in history to that point.
Best were Doran, Carroll and Coulson.
Media
Argus - 01/06/1885
Sportsman - 03/06/1885
Australasian - 06/06/1885
Australasian - 06/06/1885
Richmond Guardian - 06/06/1885