Saturday 16 May - East Melbourne
Crowd - 5000

Melbourne 1.11
Essendon 10.16 (half time 1.7 to 3.10)

Essendon win by 9 goals

Goalkicker: Billy Carroll 1

After two losses in a row to start the season, Melbourne travelled the short distance to the East Melbourne ground to face Essendon and were beaten black and blue.

Despite Melbourne winning the toss they were soon on the back foot, but after conceding the first goal of the game Carroll managed the equaliser not long after. With A. Coulson and George Aitken battling hard to keep the opposition away from their goal Essendon missed more chances before finally adding a second major. The ground was slippery, with long grass, but that couldn't be blamed for Melbourne's performance.

The goal sparked Melbourne who added two behinds in quick succession, but Essendon had a third goal after a period of sustained pressure in front of the opposition's line. Their opponents were winning easily on the scoreboard, but it was not a true indication of the quality of the game to that point.

In the second half Melbourne were almost spectators as Essendon racked up seven goals without answer. All they could do in response was kicked three behinds, including two demoralising easy misses at the start of the half, but the home side were heavier, faster and in better shape than their opponents who were already watching yet another season ebb away in the opening weeks.

It was their greatest ever loss, but this record would only stand until July.

Best were Carroll, Ross and Willis.

Media
Argus - 18/05/1885
Sportsman - 20/05/1885
Australasian - 23/05/1885
Australasian - 23/05/1885