Saturday 29 May - MCG
Crowd: 5000-6000

Melbourne 1.10
Hotham 1.12 (half time 0.5-0.11)

Match drawn

Goalkicker: Thomas Nash 1

After two wins in a row against 'lesser' clubs to start the season, Melbourne had gone for midweek games at Sandhurst and Seymour and won both convincingly.

Back at their home ground, they took one of the league's senior sides for the first time all year with the ground marred by muddy conditions. The slush made the game more one of luck rather than skill, but it was still an entertaining clash. They went in as favourites, but after the first few minutes it was clear they wouldn't have it all their own way.

Both teams made gallant attempts at scoring, but their goal-keepers kept the opposition at bay until half time. The wet and slippery ball and puddles across the ground also made kicking difficult, and several easy chances were missed by both sides.

Melbourne kicked a number of behinds on either side of half time, but still couldn't break through and eventually conceded the first goal of the game - but their advantage didn't last long as Nash equalised with a long running kick.

Play continued for another half an hour but with no further score until darkness fell and players trudged off covered in mud as the game ended in a draw.

Best were McKenzie, Booth and Watson.

Notes
Some estimates of the crowd go up to 12,000

Media
The Argus - 31/05/1880
Leader - 05/06/1880
The Australasian - 05/06/1880