1 September - Melbourne Ground
Crowd: 2000-3000
Melbourne 2
Combined Schools 1 (half time 0-1)
Melbourne win by 1 goal
Goalkicker: Booth 1, Anthony 1
20 of Melbourne took on the 25 combined from Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar, Scotch, Wesley and St. Patricks. MFC regulars Lamrock and C. Baker, both from Scotch College, played for the opposition and it was thought that with the star players and greater numbers the schools would represent a tough challenge for the oldest club in the game.
Usual Melburnian, Charles Baker kicked the first goal for the schools, but despite several more chances they only kicked behinds (not counted in that era) and the game went to half time with the score 1-0.
With no wind of any note the schools attacked first and not long after the restart they attacked again but failed to score. From there Melbourne struck back, and eventually they were rewarded with the equalising goal when Booth converted from 40 yards after a mark. Not long afterwards Anthony goalled from a pack 10 yards out to give Melbourne the lead.
The schools could have equalised but Baker managed to miss a chance running into an open goal. Not long after he missed another gettable chance and time was called with Melbourne having won.
Selected team
Anthony, Baker, Barrass, Booth, Cooke, Cooper, Fullarton, Goldsmith, Hopkins, Houston, Longden, Macdonald, McKie, Moffatt, Power, Sherrard, Sillett, Stephen, F. Webb, Williams.
Media
Weekly Times - 01/09/1877
Argus - 03/09/1877
Australasian - 08/09/1877