Saturday August 27 - MCG
Crowd: "About 10,000"

Melbourne 3.6
Carlton 3.19 (half 2.3 - 0.8)

Match drawn

Goalkickers: Murdoch McKenzie 1, Billy Stiffe 1, Dave Aitken 1

Melbourne earned a draw in their third battle of the season against their old rivals despite playing short from the 10 minute mark after Lamrock was knocked unconscious in a contest.

Despite Carlton's dominance before and after Lamrock's injury Melbourne kicked with a strong breeze in the first half and scored the first goal of the game through McKenzie. Soon after the visitors were denied a goal, which seemed to be taken by Booth over the behind line and not long after Stiffe scored Melbourne's second.

Carlton had the advantage in shots, but were two goals down at the break. When they had their turn with the wind they quickly put Melbourne on the defensive. The two goals to level the game came quickly after the restart - and took the lead later in the half with the third.

Aitken levelled for Melbourne and no further score was had. Carlton were unlucky not to win, but had been wasteful by wasting 13 more scoring shots than the Reds.

Best were Watson, Rannard and Aitken.

Notes
Some sources have the crowd as 12,000 to 15,000 and Carlton's half time score as 0.9

Media
Argus - 29/08/1881
Australasian - 03/09/1881