Saturday May 19 - MCG
Crowd: Approximately 8000
Melbourne 1.2, 2.3, 2.6, 2.7
Fitzroy 1.0, 3.2, 3.4, 4.5
Fitzroy win by 2 goals
Goalkickers: David Christy 2
After suffering a surprise loss the previous Saturday when they missed four shots on goal in the last five minutes which might have tied the match, Melbourne were beaten again. For the second time in a row they could have at least taken a share of the points if they'd kicked accurately.
In a poor game, one of the few redeeming features was that until the last 15 minutes of the game the match was anybody's to win. Melbourne continually fell down across the half-forward and forward line, and it cost them despite being faster and holding their own in the ruck for three quarters.
Fitzroy's sealer came when the ball flew towards a contest between O'Dwyer and his opponent, when Fitzroy's Grace pushed him out of the way and let the ball roll through. It capped a final quarter of an hour when they ran over the top of the Reds. Their win came despite all but losing one of their players with a serious injury, leaving him standing up front practically useless for the rest of the game. Melbourne spent the last quarter attacking but couldn't break through. Roche had two attempts early in the quarter, the second touched just before it crossed the line. Christy seemingly kicked his third, but the umpire had blown for a free kick just before he disposed of the ball.
Shortly after kicking their fourth goal, Fitzroy had a chance to seal the match but the player took so long to line up his place kick that the umpire paid a free kick against him for time wasting. Late in the match, a Fitzroy player deliberately turned around and kicked the ball away after being penalised. Under the rules of the time the umpire was unable to penalise him. The controversy continued after the match, with one Melbourne fan facing court for abusing the umpire.
Best were Moysey, Oldham and Christy.
Media
Argus - 21/05/1894
Sportsman - 22/05/1894