Saturday 7 September - Corio Oval

Geelong 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 4.9
Melbourne 0.3, 2.4, 3.5, 3.7

Geelong win by 1 goal

Goalkickers: Wardill 2, McGinis 1

Many of Melbourne's matches in 1895 had been marred by rough, even violent, play but in the twilight of their season they engaged in what was described as one of the finest games ever played on the Geelong oval. Both teams needed to win to stay in premiership contention, even a draw would ruin both side's hopes, but despite this the match stayed civil.

In contrast to the conditions in Melbourne, the game in Geelong was played in fine weather and with a dry ball. A large crowd were in attendance, though not as many who had seen the Pivotonians play Essendon recently possibly due to bad weather in the lead up. They saw Melbourne play an almost full-strength 20 with the exception of the injured David Christy, and the Reds did significantly better than they had against the Pivotonians at home a few weeks earlier.

Geelong had excuses, during the week only half a dozen players being able to attend training, and two of their number entered the match under an injury cloud, but they had the best of the early exchanges and took a two goal lead into the first change. They could have had plenty more if Melbourne's defence had not held firm.

The tables were turned in the second quarter as Melbourne proved to be much improved, mainly thanks to the play of Fred McGinis who helped get his side level at half time, and two goals to Wardill. Geelong made a number of tactical changes at half time, but they didn't help with only strong defence keeping them from being even further than 3-2 behind at the last change.

In a fierce struggle during the last quarter Geelong levelled the scores after 10 minutes, then grabbed the lead soon after. Unbeknown to the Reds, the results in the Fitzroy game meant that they were knocked out of the premiership hunt and were only playing to stop Geelong winning it, so they continued to press forward strongly and had chances to equalise. With less than five minutes to go Fred McGinis hit the post, and in the dying seconds he had another shot which missed the target.

Geelong remained in the hunt for the premiership. The Reds had given away too many chances on goal during the day by their forwards clumsily conceding free kicks.

Best were McGinis, Moysey and Wardill. During the game Moore, making his comeback from a leg injury, hurt the same leg that had put him out to start with.

Media
"Another fine game at Geelong" - 09/09/1895
The Australasian - 14/09/1895