Saturday 21 September - Melbourne
Crowd: 6000
Melbourne 2.10
Hotham 1.5 (half time 0.3 to 1.3)
Melbourne win by 1 goal
Goalkickers: Charles Baker 1, Bennie 1
Melbourne had lost and drawn their previous two matches against Hotham in 1878, so their last meeting gave an opportunity to finally get a victory against them and keep pressing their claims for the premiership.
Hotham kicked with the wind and took a one goal advantage in to half time despite Melbourne spending 15 minutes attacking their goal. At times the play was rough, and Hotham lost a player who suffered a wound when thrown into the fence but soon after they scored the opening goal.
When the home side had their turn with the wind in the second half the game turned on its head. Melbourne camped in front of the Hotham goal and continually threatened. C. Baker got the first, and this led to another Hotham revival where they had several chances but couldn't convert.
Best were T. Longden, Sillett and B. Longden.
Selected team
C. Baker, Bennie, Booth, Boys, JV Cook, Crohan, Downes, Houston, Jenkins, Lamrock, E. Longden, W. Longden, MacDonald, A. McKie, J. McKie, Sandilands, Sherard, Sillett, Simson, Wills.
Notes
Some sources have Melbourne scoring three or four.
Media
Herald - 20/09/1878
Argus - 21/09/1878
Leader - 28/09/1878