Saturday 1 August - Hotham Recreation Reserve

Hotham 3.7
Melbourne 0.4 (half time 0.3 to 2.5)

Hotham win by 3 goals

Goalkickers: Nil

A large crowd turned up to see the home team play against a resurgent Melbourne, who had turned what had been a nightmare season around with a win and a draw in their previous two games.

Unfortunately for the Reds, they reverted to type against weakened opposition and were comfortably beaten without scoring a major. Hotham won the toss and went straight into attack, registering the first score of the game with a behind. They had three minors on the board before the visitors attacked for the first time, but it took a counter attack from the next Hotham forward thrust for Melbourne to get their first score.

Despite some brief flashes by Melbourne the home side got the only two goals of the first half, credit to spirited defence by the Reds under constant bombardment. They could have had the third immediately after the break but they missed a good chance. By weight of the pressure they eventually got their third and went on to win comfortably.

The second half was marred by the inexperienced central umpire losing control of the game and allowing Hotham to break the rules with impunity.

Best were Aitken, Willis and A. Coulson.

Media
Argus - 03/08/1885
Sportsman - 05/08/1885
North Melbourne Advertiser - 07/08/1885
Australasian - 08/08/1885
Australasian - 08/08/1885