Collingwood narrowly defeated Melbourne in probably the finest game of the season. Collingwood's form had vastly improved, although the Melbourne side was sadly depleted through injuries. Week two Second round final ( vs ) played brilliantly to account for , kicking five goals five to three points in the final term. Essendon became the only unbeaten team after round two. Second round final (Geelong vs Melbourne) Geelong finished the stronger to down Melbourne, with a goal by Eddy James near the end winning the game for them. The loss eliminated Melbourne from premiership contention. Week three Third round final (Essendon vs Melbourne) Entering this game, Essendon could clinch the premiership with a victory, while Melbourne was already eliminated from premiership contention. In the low-scoring encounter, Melbourne hit the post three times and a goal by Essendon player Waugh was disallowed after the bell. Edgar Croft scored the only goal of the match after marking a skewed kick in the forward pocket. The match set, and still holds, the record as the lowest-scoring in the history of the VFL/AFL, with only 22 points scored between the two teams; and, Essendon's 1.8 (14) also remains the lowest winning score in league history. Third round final (Geelong vs Collingwood) Entering this game, it was known that if lost to in the other match (played at the same time), then the winner of this match would face in a playoff the following week to decide the premiership. Geelong's brilliant first-quarter burst meant Collingwood's chances of making it back into the match were near impossible. However, in a thrilling match, Geelong ran out winners by less than a goal. Finals series ladder Premiership finals teams These are the finals teams for the top two teams in the round-robin series; and, rather than being "Grand Finalists" (because there was no Grand Final match in 1897), they played to decide the premiership. The players that are listed are players used in any one of the three round-robin finals played. Essendon The players listed below are in no particular order, however the captain and vice-captain appear first. Geelong The players listed below are in no particular order, however the captain appears first. Series records Highest team score: Essendon (2nd rd vs Coll.) – 9.16 (70) Lowest team score: Melbourne (3rd rd vs Ess.) – 0.8 (8) Highest score in one quarter: Essendon (4th qtr, 2nd rd vs Coll.)