Saturday 5 August - MCG
Crowd: 28,240
Melbourne 0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 4.6
Essendon 0.0, 4.6, 5.10, 5.13
Essendon win by one goal
Goalkickers: R. Kelly 1, Roche 1, O'Loughlin 1, Howes 1
The two sides had played out a classic in their first clash of the season and remained unbeaten a month later, setting up the match of the season. With the premiership possibly on the line, they played out another thriller, ending with Melbourne losing their 13 game unbeaten streak.
Essendon had just returned from a trip to Tasmania, returning to Victoria almost level with Melbourne on the ladder. Both sides had the same points, and the same number of goals. The only measures that Essendon had the advantage in were goals conceded and behinds scored. Bad weather robbed the game of what would have otherwise been a record attendance, but a massive crowd still turned up including train loads of fans from Bendigo and Ballarat. Despite the big numbers of people watching the match was played under a subdued atmosphere due to many of the crowd being neutrals who attended due to the importance of the game rather than to support either side.
The narrow margin was an accurate reflection of the performance of the two teams, Essendon were better but not remarkably so. As well as their ruckmen being beaten handily the home side continually broke down across half-forward and it hurt their chances of victory. Against a slight breeze, the visitors had the best of the first quarter play but went in level as both sides only managed behinds. Melbourne missed two early shots from close range and continued to spurn chances at goals throughout the term.
After the change of ends, Essendon started a series of attacking raids. Thurgood kicked two goals, and even after Melbourne's opener halved the lead
Essendon got four to one and the game was blown wide open by half time. Melbourne's first goal halved the margin, but two more to Essendon, including one in the last 30 seconds, gave them a handy lead at the half. The first goal of the third term gave Essendon what looked like an insurmountable lead. The margin was still three goals at the last change, and even though they finished without letting another major in, only a goal on the final bell made the margin look respectable for the home side.
Best were Lewis, Moore, and Toms. McKenzie entered the match with a leg injury, and he was a fine player until his leg gave way and he was then reduced to hobbling around ineffectively.
Team
Christy, Fox, Fry, Healing, Howes, Kelly, Lewis, Moore, Moysey, Massey, McRaile, McKenzie, O'Dea, O'Halloran, O'Loughlin, O'Leary, Roche, Smith, Stranger, F. Sheahan, G. Sheahan, Toms, Wilson, Wiseman
Media
Argus - 05/08/1893
Argus - 07/08/1893
Daily Telegraph - 07/08/1893
Essendon and Flemington Chronicle - 11/08/1893
North Melbourne Advertiser - 11/08/1893
Links
VFA Results and Tables