Saturday September 28 - Melbourne Ground
Crowd - 8000 - 10,000
Melbourne 3.12
Carlton 1.22 (half time 1.3 to 1.17)
Melbourne win by 2 goals
Goalkickers: McKie 1, C. Baker 1, Cook 1
The two teams met for the fourth time in 1878, and once again Carlton's kicking for goal cost them the match. At one point during the first half Carlton scored six behinds in 10 minutes, and at the start of the second half alone four players missed easy chances within 40 yards of goal.
On a still day both sides put out their best sides for the last match of the season. Carlton were dominant, but their forward play was horrible. Melbourne were not much better, missing every chance they had.
Carlton eventually got the first goal, but the move of Downes from half-back to centre sparked Melbourne. His pace helped give them supremacy and McKie scored the equaliser.
The visitors maintained their attack in the second half but were having the same problems. They were punished when C. Baker goalled against the run of play to make the score 2-0, after which the game was delayed for several minutes while Carlton players protested that the ball had gone out of bounds before reaching the goal. Their pleas were to no avail. A third goal came not long after to Cook.
Twice during the game Carlton deliberately rushed behinds, much to the chagrin of the audience.
Best were Longden, Wills and Sandilands.
Notes
McKie is referred to as "McKie Junior" and "Longden Junior" (Probably B. Longden) is also mentioned.
Media
Argus 30/09/1878
Australasian - 05/10/1878