Saturday 5 August - MCG
Crowd: 28,240
Melbourne 0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 4.6
Essendon 0.0, 4.6, 5.10, 5.13
Essendon win by 1 goal
Goalkickers: R. Kelly 1, Roche 1, O'Loughlin 1, Howes 1
The two sides had played out a classic draw in their first clash of the season and remained unbeaten a month later, setting up the match of the season. With the premiership possibly on the line, they played out another thriller, ending with Melbourne losing their 13 game unbeaten streak.
Essendon had just returned from a trip to Tasmania almost level with Melbourne on the ladder. Both sides had the same points, and the same number of goals. The only serious measure Essendon had an advantage in was goals conceded. Bad weather robbed the game of what would have otherwise been a record attendance, but a massive crowd still turned up including train loads of fans from Bendigo and Ballarat. Despite the big numbers of people watching the match was played under a subdued atmosphere due to many of the crowd being neutrals who attended due to the importance of the game rather than to support either side.
The narrow margin was an accurate reflection of the performance of the two teams, Essendon were better but not remarkably so. As well as their ruckmen being beaten handily the home side continually broke down across half-forward and it hurt their chances of victory. Against a slight breeze, the visitors had the best of the first quarter play but went in level as both sides only managed behinds. In the first game Melbourne jumped to an early three goal lead, and they attacked at the start of the game but missed two early shots from close range and continued to spurn chances at goals throughout the term.
After the change of ends, Essendon got two quick goals through Thurgood. Melbourne hit back with a goal through Kelly after Lewis had won a free kick for a push after a run through the middle of the ground. It was their last goal for the quarter, and lasted less than a minute after the restart before Essendon cancelled it out. They kicked another 30 seconds before half time to extend the lead to three goals.
The first goal of the third term gave Essendon what looked like an insurmountable lead, and still led by three goals at the last change. With an Essendon player suffering a broken collarbone in a collision but staying on the ground practically useless, Melbourne attacked strongly but remained two goals behind for most of the quarter. They reduced the margin to one goal on the final bell, too late to threaten another draw.
Best were Lewis, Moore, and Toms. McKenzie entered the match with a leg injury, and he was a fine player until his leg gave way and he was then reduced to hobbling around ineffectively.
On top of the posted attendance figures, it's estimated that more than a thousand other patrons snuck into the ground without paying.
Team
Christy, Fox, Fry, Healing, Howes, Kelly, Lewis, Moore, Moysey, Massey, McRaile, McKenzie, O'Dea, O'Halloran, O'Loughlin, O'Leary, Roche, Smith, Stranger, F. Sheahan, G. Sheahan, Toms, Wilson, Wiseman
Media
Punch - 03/08/1893
Argus - 05/08/1893, 07/08/1893
Daily Telegraph - 07/08/1893
Essendon and Flemington Chronicle - 11/08/1893
North Melbourne Advertiser - 11/08/1893
Leader - 12/08/1893
Links
VFA Results and Tables