Round 12, 1901
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 13 July
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 6000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 1.2 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 6.6.42 |
| Essendon | 1.2 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 4.9.33 |
Melbourne win by 9 points
Goalkickers: Vic Cumberland 2, Jim McLean 2, Graham Colclough 1, Jack Purse 1
Milestones:
First Goal
Jack Purse (31st game)
With a severely weakened team due to injury, Melbourne went in as the underdogs and captain Bill McClelland was heard to yell "We're a sorry lot of cripples, but we'll make them play" as he led his side onto the ground.
His side then had the best of the first quarter even though each side only managed one goal and the scores finished level. Melbourne could have had more goals if it wasn't for faulty forward play. Essendon took a four point lead into half time, and kicked the first goal of the third quarter before Melbourne struck back to get in front by a point before the scores levelled at three quarter time.
McLean got the first goal of the last quarter for Melbourne to give them the lead before Essendon sparked and had a period of attacking which was only held back by a strong defence. With minutes left the visitors were still attacking but only managed behinds. Melbourne went down the other end and goalled through Cumberland to seal victory.
Best were Cumberland, Purse and Bowe.
Media
Argus - 15/07/1901
Australasian - 20/07/1901