The 1879 Victoria v South Australia involved a series of two matches with teams representing Victoria and South Australia. The matches were played in Victoria at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground. These two matches are recognised as the first games of intercolonial Australian rules football.

Game 1 (1 July)

Teams Some players selected in the initial squad for South Australia were unable to make the trip to Victoria for the series. These players included Thomas Smith from Port Adelaide, A. Mehrtens from South Adelaide, W.H.J. Dedman from Norwood, W. Knill, W. Osborn and C.E. Warren all from the Victorians (SAFA) side. +VictoriaSouth AustraliaJohn Gardiner (captain)CarltonAlfred McMichael (captain) NorwoodGeorge CoulthardCarltonRobert AbsalomSouth AdelaidePaddy GunnCarltonThomas BlinmanSouth AdelaideMillarWilliam BrackenNorwoodHerbert BryantEssendonEdward ColbeyNorwoodWilliam GoerCarltonMartin ConsidineSouth AdelaideRobert SillettMelbourneRichard CoonanSouth AdelaideFrank LordingHothamW. DavisVictorian (SAFA)G.V. CookeGeorge DownsVictorian (SAFA)Billy McLeanHothamGeorge GiffenNorwoodHarry DownesMelbourneThomas GreenNorwoodMinchinA.T. HarrisonKensingtonJimmy RobertsonHothamW. HughesOld AdelaideThomasKirk KennedySouth AdelaideJ. GibsonSouth MelbourneAldam Murr PettingerSouth ParkArthur LeyHothamJoseph PollockNorwoodYoungSouth MelbourneLouis SuhardNorwoodMurphyCarltonJoseph TraynorNorwoodRannardWest MelbourneTurnerOld AdelaideMackenzieJulian WoodsNorwood Victoria def. South Australia (7–0). Venue – East Melbourne Cricket Ground. Attendance – 10,000. Umpire – Jas. Slight.

Game 2 (5 July) The second game was played under the rules of the South Australia Football Association which were almost identical to that of the Victorian Football Association but for the allowance of high tackles.

+VictoriaSouth AustraliaJohn Gardiner (captain)CarltonAlfred McMichael (captain)NorwoodGeorge CoulthardCarltonJoseph TraynorNorwoodMurphyCarltonJoseph PollockNorwoodBilly McLeanHothamLouis SuhardNorwoodRannardWest MelbourneA.T. HarrisonKensingtonJ. GibsonSouth MelbourneHarry DownesMelbourneG.V. CookeThomasKirby McKenzieCooper (IN)

Result – Victoria def. South Australia (4–1). Venue – East Melbourne Cricket Ground Attendance – 8,000 Umpire – Jas. Slight.

References