Australian Football

Match Report

Richmond has scored a solid - if unspectacular - win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, to consolidate its place in the top eight and remain in line for a first finals appearance since 2001. The Tigers were never able to assume complete control of the match, due largely to their inability to be accurate in front of goal and conversely because Melbourne were extremely accurate in the same facet of the game.

Tyrone Vickery and Jack Riewoldt set the scene for the Tigers in the first 12 minutes of the match, both missing set shots for goal from 45 after marks. Sandwiched between those two shots was a a goal from Lynden Dunn, enabling the Demons to hold a slender lead half way through the opening term. A snap from Brett Deledio gave Richmond their first goal at the 17-minute mark but Chris Dawes, playing his second match in Demons colours, kicked his first goal for the club to regain the lead as the clock ticked in to time-on. Dawes followed up with another a few minutes later but a late goal to Robin Nahas kept the Tigers to within two points at the first change.

The second quarter was a relatively free-flowing affair and Melbourne's greater accuracy again prevented Richmond from making a decisive break. Although the Tigers managed five goals for the term (two to Riewoldt) they also added another five behinds. The Demons managed to kick 4.2 in the same period and the half-time margin was only six points in Richmond's favour.

While still inaccurate, the Tigers manage to make a decisive break in the third quarter through goals to Dustin Martin (two), Steve Morris, Jake King and Jack Riewoldt. Dunn, Rohan Bail and Jeremy Howe did their best to keep Melbourne in touch but the final change saw Richmond 22 points to the good.

Melbourne needed to score early in the final term tio give themselves any chance but it was Richmond who dominated the first 16 minutes, kicking 3.1, goals to Martin, Matt White and Troy Chaplin killing off any chance of a Demon revival. Michael Evans scored a late goal for Melbourne but the Tigers coasted to a 34-point win and seventh place on the ladder.

Brandon Ellis (39 disposals and a goal) and Nick Vlastuin (25 possessions. one goal) were outstanding for the Tigers, while Aaron Davey (three goals and 19 touches) and Nathan Jones (22 disposals) battled hard all day for Melbourne.

The Tigers will have a chance to see if they are top four material next Saturday night when they take on Essendon in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match against Essendon. Melbourne will travel to Perth to take on Fremantle, who are also pushing for a top four berth.

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt, Martin 3; King 2; Deledio, Nahas, Ellis, Vlastuin, Morris, White, Chaplin
Melbourne: Davey 3; Dawes, Dunn 2; Nicholson, Bail, Howe, Evans

BEST - THE AGE
Richmond: Ellis, Vlastuin, Deledio, Riewoldt, Martin, Grigg
Melbourne: Dawes, Davey, N. Jones, M. Jones, Magner, Terlich

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Richmond: Ellis, Vlastuin, S. Edwards, Deledio, Grigg, Houli
Melbourne: Davey, N. Jones, Magner, Terlich, M. Jones

COACHES' COMMENTS
Damien Hardwick (Rich): We certainly didn't make the most of out chances going inside 50. We just couldn't quite get the scoreboard reward we were after. We were taking a lot of marks inside 50 but couldn't get the scoreboard ticking our way. If you don't take those chances and the other side kicks reasonable straight, then they hang around. We played okay in spurts. Let's not take anything away from Melbourne. I thought they were very, very good today.

Mark Neeld (Melb): We feel that over the past four or five weeks, we've had one week where people could question the effort of us, and that's across the five week period, so that's not too bad. We realise there will be peaks and troughs. We've got to make sure the troughs aren't too low.

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Melbourne: Toumpas (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Luke McGuane subbed out for Matt White in the third quarter
Melbourne: Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) subbed out for Rohan Bail in the third quarter

UMPIRES: McBurney, Hosking, Foot