Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 25 September
Venue: Melbourne Ground
Attendance: Unknown
| HT | Final | |
| Melbourne | 0.1 | 0.? |
| Carlton | 0.1 | 1.? |
Carlton win by 1 goal
Melbourne started the game without a number of important players - including the Loughnan brothers, Ryan, Edwin Towle and George Watson - but still managed to have the best of the first hour. The ball was often trapped in the middle of the ground being fiercely fought over, and when Carlton went forward Melbourne's backmen defended strongly. They were also aided by a Blues player missing a sitter from 20 yards out. Carlton's defence also held firm, only allowing one behind for the half.
The game went to the break level, but after early pressure on their goal Carlton had the best of the second period. As Melbourne's weakened squad tired, the visitors were in attack for almost the entire last 45 minutes and kicked the only goal minutes before the end of the match. The game was described as "the most exciting ever played in the colony".
Best were Longden, Kneen and Forrester.
Selected side
Bell, Bennie, Bennie, Booth, Carr, Cumming, Davidson, Down, Forrester, Freeman, Hammil, Johnson, Kneen, Longden, Nicholas, Ryan, Scott, Sillett, Stokes, Williams. Emergencies - Cullen, Goldsmith, Jenvey.
Media
Argus - 25/09/1875
Australasian - 02/10/1875