Saturday 13 August - East Melbourne
Crowd: 5000
Melbourne 2.13
Hotham 1.11 (half time 2.8-1.2)
Melbourne win by 1 goal
Goalkickers: Dave Aitken 1, Murdoch McKenzie 1
In front of a surprisingly small crowd, Melbourne got back in the winners circle after a loss to South Melbourne the previous Saturday.
Melbourne attacked first and kept the ball in front of the Hotham goal for the first few minutes, but their opponents were the first to register a behind. McKenzie missed a golden opportunity not long after and Hotham scored the first goal of the match.
Atkin and Stiffe (twice) missed chances before Atkin finally scored the equaliser, and McKenzie added the winner not long after. No goals were added in the second half.
Best were Aitken, Lamrock and Adams.
Media
The Argus 15/08/1881
The Australasian - 20/08/1881