Saturday 5 August - MCG
Melbourne 0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 4.6
Essendon 0.0, 4.6, 5.10, 5.13
Essendon win by one goal
Goalkickers: R. Kelly 1, Roche 1, O'Loughlin 1, Howes 1
The two sides had played out a classic in their first clash of the season and a month later the two sides remained unbeaten, setting up the match of the season. With the premiership of Victoria possibly on the line the two sides played out another thriller, but it was Melbourne who lost a 13 game unbeaten streak.
Essendon had just returned from a trip to Tasmania, returning to Victoria almost dead level with Melbourne. Both sides had the same amount of points, and they'd kicked the same number of goals. The only measures that Essendon had the advantage in were goals conceded and behinds scored.
Bad weather robbed the game of what would have surely been a record attendance otherwise, 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 the majority of spectators being neutrals who were there for the spectacle rather than holding an interest in which side won.
In the end 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. They had the best of the first quarter and much of the last, and at the other end Essendon champion Albert Thurgood was doing his bit for keeping the Reds in the game by managing just two goals from six shots.
The showers had made the ground slippery, and Melbourne had the benefit of a slight breeze to open the match. While they kept Essendon scoreless they also failed to take proper advantage of the wind. Two early shots from short range were missed and they continued to botch chances throughout the term.
Essendon made no such mistake in the second quarter, blowing Melbourne out of the water. Melbourne's first goal dragged to the margin back to one but the visitors then booted two more - including one in the last 30 seconds - to leave their opponents desperate for majors in the third term. Conceding the first of the second half was a blow that would give Essendon an insurmountable lead.
By the last chance the margin was still three goals, and despite Melbourne's goal on the final bell made the margin look more respectable than it otherwise was.
Lewis was Melbourne's best, along with 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.
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
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