Saturday August 22 - Friendly Societies' Gardens
Crowd: 3000

Melbourne 2.7
South Melbourne 9.10 (half time 0.1 to 6.7)

South Melbourne win by 7 goals

Goalkicker: Billy Carroll 1

Melbourne finally moved to the ground on the site of today's Olympic Park precinct after being ordered out of the MCG to make way for cricket season and the higher drawing Carlton, but their first match at the Gardens was spoilt by a dominant South side.

A formal opening ceremony was held with members of the VFA, and South gave three cheers for their opponents before proceeding to demolish them. With Spooner filling in as captain for the absent George Aitken it was clear from the start that South were a step above the home side.

South had several players absent as well, but with the use of a strong breeze in the first half they were unstoppable. They were two goals in front before Melbourne made their first attack of the match and the more muscular South side ran away to a six goal lead at half time. They had all six on the board before Melbourne registered a single behind.

In the second half Melbourne were kicking with the breeze and surprised South by getting the first goal of the half through Carroll. He could have kicked another not long after but missed with a kick on the run. South then started scoring again, running away with an easy victory.

Billy Carroll, Strachan and Edwards were Melbourne's best.

Notes
Some sources have South Melbourne's half-time score as 6.8

Media
Argus - 24/08/1885
Sportsman - 26/08/1885
Leader - 29/08/1885
Australasian - 29/08/1885
Australasian - 29/08/1885