Australian Football

Match Report

Richmond has played Melbourne only once in each of the past three seasons and Tiger fans are probably quite glad of that fact after the Demons defeated the yellow and black for the third year running in Sunday night's ANZAC eve match at the MCG. The Demons won three of the four quarters of the match to record a solid 33-point victory and make it two wins in a row for the first time since rounds 13 ands 14 in 2011. Coincidentally, the second win on that occasion was also against Richmond. 

The match got off to a great start for Melbourne when Angus Brayshaw managed to somehow snap a goal in the first minute despite being wrapped up in tackle in the goal square by Shaun Grigg. Another snap from Bernie Vince five minutes later had the Demons 11 points clear but majors to Shane Edwards and Troy Chaplin had Richmond in front by a point after 11 minutes. Continuing his good form, Jack Watts marked and goaled to put Melbourne back in front two minutes later and the Demons added two further goals before quarter time to lead by 16 points at the first break. 

A second goal to Watts extended the margin to 22 points early in the second term but the Tigers hit back with goals to Dustin Martin, Ty Vickery and Jack Riewoldt to trail by just three points after 12 minutes. Jeff Garlett chipped in with a goal kicked off the ground but Sam Lloyd responded again for Richmond, to again cut the margin to three points midway through the quarter. The Demons got right on top after that, though, kicking four of the next five goals to lead by 22 points at half time. 

Richmond came out firing after the long break and goals to Riewoldt had them within nine points with goals in the first six minutes. The Tigers kept attacking and could have pushed for the lead but shots from Trent Cotchin and Riewoldt both sailed wide. Melbourne then wrested back the momentum with a brace of quick goals to James Harmes and Garlett and, although the Tigers kicked two of the term's last three goals, the Demons too a 16-point buffer into the last break. 

The Tigers needed the first goal go the final term to make a game of it but the first two went the Demons' day via Dom Tyson and Sam Frost. Anthony Miles and Lloyd responded to give the Tigers brief hope but from the 10-minute mark until the last minute of the match it was all Melbourne. The Demons piled on four goals and kept Richmond scoreless to take the lead out to 33 points before a consolation Vickery goal cut the final margin to 33. 

Max Gawn (47 hitouts, seven marks) and Jack Viney (37 disposals, nine tackles) were great players for Melbourne, while Richmond was well served by Cotchin (32 possessions, six tackles) and Riewoldt (24 touches, three goals).

The Demons are currently in finals contention and could move into the eight with a win over St Kilda at Docklands on Saturday. The Tigers, meanwhile, are already two games out of the eight, making their match against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night a vital one. 

GOALS
Melbourne: Garlett 4; Vince, Watts 3; Tyson, Gawn 2; Brayshaw, Bugg, Salem, Harmes, Frost, Kent
Richmond: Riewoldt, Lloyd, Vickery 3; Edwards, Chaplin, Martin, Ellis, Miles

BEST - THEAGE.COM.AU
Melbourne: Viney, Gawn, Tyson, McDonald, Jones, Garlett, Watts, Vince
Richmond: Riewoldt, Edwards, Cotchin, B Ellis, Houli, Lloyd

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Melbourne: Gawn, Viney, Tyson, Salem, Kent, Jones, Garlett
Richmond: Cotchin, Miles, Riewoldt, Edwards

INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Brett Deledio (quad) replaced in the side by Jacob Townsend, Jack Riewoldt (ankle)

REPORTS: Alex Rance (Richmond) for striking Jack Watts (Melbourne) in the fourth quarter

UMPIRES: Stevic, Stephens, Chamberlain

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Hamish McLachlan, Dennis Cometti, Wayne Carey, Luke Darcy, Tim Watson