Saturday 24 July
Venue: Richmond Cricket Ground
Attendance: Unknown
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 1.3 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 5.9 |
| Melbourne | 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 4.11 |
Richmond win by 1 goal
Goalkickers: Millard 1, Buscombe 1, Lynar 1, Burns 1
On their return from a Tasmanian tour, Melbourne could only field 18 players at the start of the game due to the absence through injury of seven regulars but it didn't hurt them too badly as they took a lead into quarter time despite being outplayed.
Despite their disadvantage Melbourne didn't resort to defensive tactics and managed to level the scores after Richmond had gone ahead. Richmond then pushed ahead again before Millard and Buscombe grabbed goals to give their side the lead.
Keeping Melbourne goalless in the second term the home side took the lead at half tiem
Only strong defensive work by Kelly kept Richmond out early in the third, but against the run of play Lynar scored Melbourne's third to level the match. After the goal the visitors did much of the attacking, but Richmond took the lead back late in the term.
They got another early in the fourth term to make the game relatively safe. Melbourne could only respond with three behinds and a late goal to Murphy was no more than a consolation.
Best were Murphy, Seymour and Kelly.
Notes
Reported as being played in front of 'a large number of spectators'. Some sources have Richmond on 1.1 at quarter time.
Media
Argus - 26/07/1886
Sportsman - 28/07/1886
Australasian - 31/07/1886