Round 2, 1920
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 8 May
Venue: East Melbourne
Attendance: Unknown
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 3.2 | 7.4 | 8.11 | 9.11.65 |
| Melbourne | 3.2 | 6.3 | 8.7 | 12.8.80 |
Melbourne win by 15 points
Goalkickers: Harry Harker 3, Eric Tonkin 3, Charlie Streeter 2, George Haines 1, Jack Huntington 1, Herb Matthews 1, Bill Shelton 1
Milestones:
First game
Harry Harker (and first goal)
Joe O'Carroll
Statistical categories led:
Highest score at East Melbourne
Melbourne kept their early season hot streak going with a second consecutive win after kicking what would eventually be their highest score ever at the East Melbourne ground. After not winning a game at all in 1919 they were now unbeaten. Essendon had also won on the first day after a number of lean years.
The two sides were level at quarter time after Melbourne had kicked the first then Essendon replied with three in a row. The home side took leads into the next two breaks but could have had an even bigger advantage than four points at the start of the final quarter if they hadn't booted 1.7 during the third term.
Melbourne appeared to be tiring at the end of the second quarter, and after a lengthy stalemate at the start of the third Essendon threatened to run away with victory. It took until the last 10 minutes for the visitors to make a game of it, dragging the margin back to four points at the final break.
After an early struggle where neither side could get on top the Same Olds' inaccuracy came back to haunt them in the final term when the pacy Melbourne outfit kicked four goals to one to register the victory. They had been the better high marking side all day, and their centremen had played a much more assured game than their opponents.
Haines was best, forced to rove for most of the game after Tonkin hurt his arm in the first quarter. Farrow and Harker were also amongst the best, the latter kicking five goals on debut.
It was Melbourne's first victory against Essendon since 1910.
Seconds
Melbourne 15.21 d. West Melbourne 9.7.61
Goals - Elliman 3, Anthony 3, Woods 3, Taylor 3, Forness 1, Brumby 1, Crowle 1
Media
Argus - 10/05/1920
Football Record - R3 1920