Dees prove too strong for outgunned Tigers

With the Demons and Tigers coming off the bye, one would’ve expected them to both be sharp as tacks, but the opening two quarters, in particular, were marred by an avalanche of skill errors, making the contest unwatchable at times.

But to the undermanned Tigers’ credit, they turned the game into a scrap and forced the more-fancied Demons into a street fight in the first half.

There were turnovers left, right and centre. The AFL average for clanger kicks per game is 46 from both competing teams combined, yet by half-time the Demons (22) and Tigers (16) had already brought up 38 between them.

Heading into the match, Melbourne’s average in that stat was 20 for an entire game.

At times it felt almost as if neither side wanted to win, but the situation suited Richmond to a tee, and after both teams went goal-for-goal in the first half, the Tigers led by a point at the main break.

However, Melbourne’s intensity lifted markedly in the third term and they broke the game open with the first four goals of the second half, three of which came from turnovers, to lead by 24 points.

Another five consecutive majors in the final term blew the difference out to 44 points and sealed the 13.7 (85) to 5.12 (42) result for the Demons..

Melbourne gave Richmond plenty of chances to burn them on turnover but the Tigers could rarely find a way past the Demons’ defensive pillars Jake Lever (26 disposals, 11 contested possessions and 11 marks) and Steven May (23 touches and 12 grabs) who were standing in the way more often than not.

Melbourne youngster Daniel Turner hadn’t kicked a goal prior to Anzac Eve, but he stood tall with three majors to play a crucial role in his fourth game.

Demons captain Max Gawn finished with 23 possessions (16 contested), 10 marks, 26 hitouts and a goal, and had a great battle with opposite number Toby Nankervis who racked up 18 disposals (11 contested) and 15 hitouts.

A forgettable night for the Tigers was capped off in the third quarter, when Jacob Hopper pinged his hamstring.

He tried to stay out there, but succumbed shortly after in what was his first game back after being sidelined with a knee injury since Round 2. He Had a match-high 23 disposals at the time of being subbed out.

It continues a frustrating run for Hopper who has only managed 19 games from 30 since crossing from GWS and it exacerbates Richmond’s bulging unavailable list which also features Jayden Short (calf), Tom Lynch (hamstring), Tim Taranto (wrist), Dion Prestia (hamstring), Noah Balta (knee), Jack Ross (foot) and Josh Gibcus (knee).

And Richmond’s personnel issues could be further stretched with hard man Marlion Pickett possibly headed for a suspension after gut-punching Clayton Oliver late in the first quarter, prompting the Melbourne superstar to drop to the ground instantaneously.

The incident sparked a huge scuffle involving multiple players from both teams. But given the likes of George Hewett, Mason Redman and Scott Pendlebury have all received varying penalties for mini punches this year, Pickett’s fate is far from clear.

UMPIRE HELPS DEES

In the dying seconds of the third quarter, with Richmond down by 17 points, Nankervis kicked it across goal and straight to Caleb Windsor. The Melbourne youngster converted the set shot 25m out directly in front after the siren, but the opportunity shouldn’t have even arisen.

Seconds before Nankervis’ turnover, Kysaiah Pickett’s snap shot from the pocket went across the face and hit the leg of the boundary umpire standing next to the behind post, before ricocheting back into play and the field umpire waved play on.

PICKETT POUNCES

The back breaking moment came midway through the third quarter when Richmond’s Ben Miller attempted a handball to teammate Nathan Broad in defence, but missed the target from a couple of metres.

Much to Miller’s horror, Kysaiah Pickett was waiting to pounce and cleaned up the mess before converting a magnificent snap shot from the boundary line to put the Demons up by 24 points.

SCOREBOARD

RICHMOND 1.3, 3.6, 4.8, 5.12 (42)

MELBOURNE 2.3, 3.5, 8.7, 13.7 (85)

RONNY LERNER’S BEST

Tigers: Broad, Hopper, Nankervis, Pickett, Ralphsmith, Grimes, Miller.

Demons: Lever, Gawn, Turner, May, McVee, Langdon, Oliver.

GOALS

Tigers: M.Rioli 2, Lefau, Martin, Bolton.

Demons: Turner 3, Fritsch 2, Pickett 2, Laurie 2, van Rooyen, Gawn, Windsor, Petracca.

INJURIES Tigers: Hopper (hamstring). Demons: Nil.

UMPIRES Fisher, Stevic, Broadbent, Adair

72,840 at the MCG

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RONNY LERNER’S VOTES

3 Jake Lever (MELB)

2 Max Gawn (MELB)

1 Daniel Turner (MELB)