Saturday 11 May - MCG
Melbourne 2
Hawthorn 3 (half time 1-1)
Goalkickers: Charles Baker 1, Cooper 1
Melbourne played with 20 to Hawthorn's 25, but were reduced to 19 after 15 minutes when P. Goldsmith dislocated his shoulder and was forced out of the game.
They had the best of the play early, but their teamwork was ragged due to having so many new players in the side, and Hawthorn used their numerical advantage to take control in the second half.
Selected side
Anthony, Baker, Batterbury, Booth, E. Cook, JV Cooke, Cooper, Crooke, Downes, Goldsmith, Henderson, Houston, Longden, Nicholas, Sandilands, Sherrard, Sillett, Simson, Waldron, Wills. Emergencies - Birtwistle, F. Page.
Notes
Australasian incorrectly lists the opposition as Hotham.
Media
Weekly Times - 11/05/1878
Leader - 18/05/1878
Australasian - 18/05/1878