Saturday August 28 - Melbourne Ground
Melbourne 0
Carlton 0
Match drawn
In the press the match was seen as the unofficial championship of Victoria but the sides battled for three hours without either team scoring a goal. Carlton's preparation was not ideal, with their match against South Yarra the previous Saturday called off after a few minutes when a park ranger threw the teams out of Fawkner Park.
Henry Harrison decided to make a statement during the traditional 'three cheers', referring to Carlton as the 'second best' team. Carlton captain Jack Conway took to the newspapers to refute his claim and issue a challenge to meet anywhere at any time before the end of the season to settle the matter for good. Harrison responded in the papers that "the Melbourne tam will be happy to play another friendly match with them, if their engagements will permit of it" but no additional match was played.
Selected team
Barker, Bell, Bennie, Bruford, Byrne (vc), Carr, Colles, Duff, Finlay, C. Forrester, Freeman, Gaggin, Goldsmith, Harrison (c), Hepburn, Hope, Petrie, Riggall, Ryan, Stodart. Emergencies - Thomas and Forrester.
Media
Age - 28/08/1869
Argus - 28/08/1869, 11/09/1869
Leader - 04/09/1869