Saturday May 16 - East Melbourne
Crowd - 8000
Essendon 2.3, 5.6, 6.6, 11.10
Melbourne 1.1, 2.3, 5.4, 5.5
Essendon win by 6 goals
Goalkickers: Smith 2, Wilson 1, Miller 1, Aitken 1
Melbourne demonstrated a 'dash and brilliancy' not seen for years, but were still comfortably beaten. They were in trouble from the first quarter, when the use of the breeze saw them outscored. Essendon didn't make the same mistakes, setting up a three goal lead at the break.
The visitors made it interesting with three goals to one in the third quarter, but Essendon booted five goals in the last quarter to win comfortably.
Umpire Tait was the subject of criticism, with players reportedly stopping following new rules during the third quarter.
Best were Wilson, Hallett and McRaile.
Media
Essendon Gazette - 21/05/1891
Melbourne Punch - 21/05/1891