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The 1st of 12: 1900 Grand Final Results Saturday, September 22, East Melbourne CG. MELBOURNE 2.3 2.5 4.8 4.10 (34) FITZROY 1.4 2.7 2.7 3.12 (30) Umpire: Crapp Crowd: 20,181 MELBOURNE B: M. Herring, E. Scholl, L. Rippon HB : H. Parkin, J. Purse, W. McClelland C : E. Gardner, C. Young, H. Hay HF: A. Lewis, J. Leith, F. Langley F: R. Wardill (Capt), S. Geddes, T. Ryan RUCK: G. Moodie, V. Cumberland, F. McGuinness Goals: Geddes, Leith, Ryan, Wardill. Best: Cumberland, Langley, McGuiness, Moodie, Purse, Wardill. COACH - Dirk Wardil (as captain) FITZROY B: H. McEwen, G. Moriarty, E. Jenkins HB: A. Sharpe, A. Sloan (Capt), P. Hickey C: E. Drohan, H.J. Clarke, K. Robinson HF: T. Beauchamp, A. McDougall, L. Baker F: P. Descrimes, G. Brosnan, C. Kiernan RUCK: M. Grace, W. Potter, W. McSpeerin Goals: Grace 2, Barker. Best: Clarke, Drohan, Grace, Hickey, Moniarty, Robinson. COACH - Alex Sloan (as captain) MELBOURNE'S first premiership win probably was one of the most fortunate in league history as the Redlegs finished a modest sixth at the completion of the home-and-away season. However, the league operated a most unusual finals system at that time, with the eight clubs drawn into two groups. Melbourne, after finishing sixth, was grouped with the teams, which finished second, fourth and eighth for the right to challenge for the flag. Melbourne, after an ordinary season, found form at the right time and won its section, therefore winning the right to challenge the winner of the other group - Essendon. But, because Fitzroy had topped the ladder, the Maroons had the right to challenge the winner of the Melbourne-Essendon match in a grand final. Fitzroy defeated Essendon and became favorites for the flag. The Redlegs suffered a setback even before play when wingers Arthur Sowden and Eric Gardner were ruled unfit. Fitzroy, on the other hand, was almost at full strength for the big match, played in near-perfect conditions. Melbourne attacked furiously in the opening minutes and it became obvious very early that the Maroons were in for a torrid time. Melbourne, after an even first half, took control in the third quarter and led by 13 points at the final break. Fitzroy had the wind in the final term, but the Melbourne defence held firm. In fact, Melbourne defenders "Henry" Parkin and Jack Purse repelled countless Fitzroy thrusts to help the Redlegs achieve a shock four-point win over the reigning premier.