Round 6, 1899
Essendon vs Melbourne
Saturday 10 June
Venue: East Melbourne
Attendance: Unknown
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 2.3 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 4.6.30 |
| Melbourne | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.10.16 |
Essendon win by 14 points
Goalkickers: Fred McGinis 1
Milestones:
Nil
Statistical categories led:
Lowest score at East Melbourne
After five straight wins to open the season Melbourne crashed badly against Essendon, who boosted by the return of the great Albert Thurgood, a star of their VFA days. Melbourne lacked Vic Cumberland (knee), Arthur Sowden (family bereavement) and George Moysey who had suffered a mid-week injury when he hurt himself with an axe.
With Cumberland out, Wardill was forced to do more ruck work than usual, and without Moysey, Melbourne's handball suffered. Essendon had first use of the wind and they attacked from almost the entire first quarter. It took until the third quarter for Melbourne to get their first and only goal for the game. They had scored five behinds in quick succession during the second quarter, but their forwards too often wandered from position and joined the defence which cost them scoring opportunities. The home side moved the ball surely in wet conditions, while Melbourne fumbled, crowded the play, and kicked the ball without precision.
With darkness falling on the ground in the last quarter the two sides went through the motions and Essendon got the only goal of the last term.
Best were Herring, Wood and Moriarty.
Notes
Newspapers suggest McGinis' goal came in the second quarter.
Media
Argus - 12/06/1899
Melbourne Punch - 15/06/1899
Australasian - 17/06/1899