25 September - Corio Oval
Crowd - 5000
Geelong 2.2, 2.7, 3,8, 7.10
Melbourne 1.1, 1.1, 1.6, 2.6
Geelong win by 5 goals
Goalkickers: Griffiths 1, Baird 1
After seven straight victories Melbourne's winning streak came to an end in the second last game of the season against the unbeaten Pivotonians.
In perfect weather for football Melbourne won the toss and kicked with a southerly breeze in the first quarter. A counter-attack by the visitors almost earned the first goal of the day before Geelong launched a counter of their own, taking the ball the length of the field via five players before goalling from 60 yards.Despite solid defence Geelong got the second as well, before Griffiths opened Melbourne's account with a goal from 50 yards out.
In the second quarter the home team worked the ball to Melbourne's defensive line five times in a row but missed goalscoring opportunities each time. The two sides went in to the half time break with one goal between them.
Melbourne might have equalised or even taken the lead early in the third quarter but despite dominating the play their forwards failed to take chances. After some rough play Geelong finally kicked the third goal of the game. They missed some opportunities of their own and Baird managed to keep Melbourne in the game with his second. His goal was the catalyst for a lengthy period of attack but nothing came of it. Once Geelong got their fourth goal they dominated the rest of the match.
Best were Griffith, O'Bern and Tuckfield.
Media
Sportsman - 29/09/1886
Australasian - 02/10/1886