Round 1, 1915
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 24 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 7385
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 0.2 | 1.8 | 6.9 | 12.10.82 |
| Richmond | 2.3 | 5.4 | 9.7 | 11.7.73 |
Melbourne win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Bill Allen 3, Roy Park 3, Tim Collins 2, Jack Huntington 2, Jack Baquie 1, Harry Brereton 1
Milestones:
First Game
Roy Franklin
Teddy Johnston
First MFC Game
Jack Doubleday
Jack McKenzie
Roy Park
First Game as Coach
Jack McKenzie
After winning just five matches over two seasons Melbourne debuted the first of the players they had signed from the defunct University club, two VFL first gamers and a new coach. Richmond only had one new player in their lineup, but Melbourne had been boosted noticeably by their inclusions and registered their first win in the opening round for three seasons.
The Fuschias looked to be on their way to another loss for three quarters. In the first term they were goalless, and would have conceded more than two majors if it hadn't been for strong defence by Evans. He continued to save them in the second quarter, but Melbourne were still outscored by three goals to one.
When Richmond got the first goal of the third quarter they looked to be cantering to an easy victory. Melbourne goalled to bring the margin back to the same as half time, but then Richmond took the advantage back with two goals in a row.
Despite a late rally where they kicked four of the last five goals of the quarter Melbourne turned for home 16 points behind, and despite Richmond kicking the first of the term and opening up a four goal lead again the visitors became careless and Melbourne ran over the top of them with six of the last seven goals to win. In the second half they were unusually potent and accurate for the day, kicking 11.2, and even one of them hit the post. The game turned when a Richmond defender kicked out on the full after one of the behinds and gifted the Redlegs a goal.
Roy Park, the former champion goalkicker from University, put Melbourne in front with his third goal.
Best were Evans, Bacquie and Allan.
After the match a local youngster complained to police that an unnamed Melbourne player had struck him. The player countered that the Richmond fan struck him first and "called him a foul name", which prompted him to lash out.
Media
Richmond Guardian - 24/04/1915
Argus - 26/04/1915
Richmond Guardian - 01/05/1915
Richmond Australian - 01/05/1915
Football Record 1915