Saturday September 7 - Melbourne Ground
Crowd - 6000 to 7000
Melbourne 1
Carlton 0
Melbourne win by 1 goal
Goalkicker: Edwin Towle
With the premiership on the line in the game after the clubs had delivered one win each and a draw from their three matches a large police contingent was on hand to make sure the game wasn't ruined by spectators encroaching on the playing field.
Thousands of spectators took advantage of perfect weather to watch the game, and they witnessed Carlton the better side in a rough opening. They attacked strongly but Melbourne's defence held firm to deny them. Just before half time they managed some attack of their own, registering two behinds and getting to the break level.
The Blues started the second half again the better side, and could have had a goal if their shot hadn't been touched on the way through by Williams. This piece of good luck turned the game in Melbourne's favour and suddenly they were the ones putting Carlton under siege. Edwin Towle snapped a goal with 30 minutes left to finally break the deadlock.
Robert Carr could have doubled their advantage soon after. His attempt was stopped by Carlton's defence but it didn't matter as Melbourne had held on to win the match and the Challenge Cup. Towle was chaired off the ground by supporters.
Media
Australasian - 14/09/1872