Saturday 20 September - Melbourne
Melbourne 7
Hotham 3 (half time 5-2)
Melbourne win by 4 goals
Goalkickers: Lempriere 2, Sillett 1, Crohan 1, Lucas 1, Aitken 1, C. Baker 1
It looked like it would be Hotham's day when they scored two goals in the first few minutes of the match, but the tide soon turned decisively in Melbourne's favour and they ran away to an easy victory. First captain Bob Sillett pulled one back, then his teammates had three behinds in a row.
Crohan got the equaliser, sparking a comeback from Hotham who had three behinds of their own. They failed to take advantage and Lempriere booted Melbourne's third and fourth goals before C. Baker scored a fifth before half time.
Melbourne put Hotham under attack immediately after the restart, for two behinds and a goal from Lucas. Aitken got the seventh goal and was best on ground.
Best were Aitken, Smart and Lucas. Hotham protested against one of Melbourne's new players, but the result stood.
Media
Argus - 22/09/1879
Australasian - 27/09/1879