Round 1, 1935
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 27 April
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 15,617
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.4 | 6.5 | 10.7 | 15.9.99 |
| Essendon | 4.3 | 15.6 | 17.7 | 24.15.159 |
Essendon win by 60 points
Goalkickers: Maurie Gibb 6, Percy Beames 2, Jack Mueller 2, Ray Wartman 2, Jack Foster 1, Gordon Jones 1, Bert Taylor 1
Milestones:
First game
Jock Ball
Jack Foster (and first goal)
Audley Gillespie-Jones
Gordon Jones (and first goal)
Ray Wartman (and first goal)
Melbourne had some encouraging performances but their five new players couldn't compete with Essendon's Ted Freyer who kicked a then record opening day 12 goals.
After an even first quarter where Melbourne failed to convince but managed to take a one point lead into the change of ends they were blown away as Essendon slammed on 11.3 before half time. The game died out somewhat in the third quarter once the visitors had all but been confirmed winners. Melbourne played better football to win the quarter but their attackers weren't good enough to take advantage of the chances created by players further up field.
With a seven goal lead going into the last change Essendon extended their margin, but in a high-scoring game Melbourne still only fell a point short of the century.
Best were Gibb, G. Jones and Beames.
Seconds
Melbourne 15.23 d. Essendon 13.9
Goals - Baggott 4, Feltschier 4, L. Smith 3, Libbis 2, N. Smith 1, Adams 1
Best - Felstchier, Sweeney, Spicer
Lists
10 goals
Notes
Some sources say Freyer played on Gordon Jones, but newspaper reports like Jones as playing as a follower rather than a defender.