The match, attended by 4,823 spectators, was won by Fitzroy by a margin of 1 point, becoming the first club to claim back-to-back VFL premierships.

In the sectional major rounds, Fitzroy and South Melbourne each finished with records of 3–0 to qualify for the final.

[1] The match was played in heavy rain:[2] The strong wind from the southern end of the ground favoured South Melbourne in the opening quarter.

Bill McSpeerin's goal 15 minutes into the final quarter gave Fitzroy the win.

Fitzroy's Bert Sharpe, the team's centre half-forward in its 1898 premiership side, was a late withdrawal from the side due to the death of his father the day before the Grand Final;[5] his teammates wore black armbands for that match.