Saturday 26 May - Richmond Cricket Ground

Richmond 2.2, 4.6, 7.7, 8.7
Melbourne 2.4, 5.4, 7.7, 9.10

Melbourne won by 1 goal

Goalkickers: McCarthy 5, Roche 2, Moodie 1, Fry 1

After suffering two defeats in their opening three matches, Melbourne restarted their season two days earlier with a win over Geelong, and another win got them back into some sort of form going into a match against reigning premiers Essendon the following Saturday.

Both sides had been decimated by the Queen's Birthday games, with Melbourne's most prominent absentee being champion ruckman David Christy. Richmond had lost even more of their regular starting lineup, and given the conditions they put in a strong performance in only losing by a single goal. In a high scoring game the post was hit 10 times.

An advantage Richmond had despite their weakened side was that they had quicker ruckmen and the size of the ground hampered Melbourne's wing players.

The two sides traded blows all day, and after going goal for goal they were locked at seven apiece in the last quarter. Eventually it took an umpiring controversy to get Melbourne over the line, with the last goal of the day called a major when many thought it had gone over the post. There was some talk of a Richmond protest but it never eventuated.

Best were McCarthy, Moody and Wilson. Ernest Howes was injured.

Notes
Some sources have Richmond on 4.4 at half time

Media
Argus - 28/05/1894
Richmond Guardian - 02/06/1894