Round 7, 1897
Essendon vs Melbourne
Tuesday 22 June
Venue: East Melbourne
Attendance: 10,000
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Essendon | 3.3 | 4.6 | 5.10 | 8.15.63 |
| Melbourne | 0.2 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 3.9.27 |
Essendon win by 36 points
Goalkickers: Jack Leith 2, George Moysey 1
Milestones:
Nil
Having been run as close as they had in any of their six wins which opened the season three days before, Melbourne finally crashed to their first ever defeat in the VFL on the Jubilee day public holiday.
On a perfect day with no wind, a big crowd showed up, with the attendance said to be the largest at a football match in years. They saw Essendon win the toss and kick with the wind first which helped them set up a match winning lead by the first break.
When the Reds got their chance with the wind in the second quarter they only managed to kick one goal. The wind died off in the second half and Essendon were too far in front, pulling away throughout the afternoon despite their three best players being three of their worst on the day.
Defeat cost Melbourne top spot on the ladder, with Essendon replacing them.
Best were Robinson, Wardill and Moodie, who injured his back. Sykes was also hurt early in the game.
Media
Age - 23/06/1897
Argus - 23/06/1897
Herald - 25/06/1897
Leader - 26/06/1897
Australasian - 26/06/1897
Sportsman - 29/06/1897
Sportsman - 29/06/1897