Richmond’s big recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper made an impression in the first half as the Tigers dominated clearances until midway through the second quarter.
That gave Richmond early territory with Noah Cumberland making the most of his chances in the first quarter,kicking three goals to set the Tigers on their way. Two of his three were snaps executed in identical fashion as he took a lateral step before snapping on his left foot. However Michael Hibberd moved on to him at quarter-time and shut him down.
With ascendancy in the centre,the Tigers were able to implement their plan to fire the ball in low and hard inside 50 from all angles.
The approach was worrying Melbourne,with Jack Riewoldt on the end of several passes. Unfortunately,from the Tigers’ perspective,the straight shooter could only kick 2.2 from four shots.
They shot to a four-goal lead and the Demons were staring down consecutive defeats.
But with no time to waste the Demons lifted.Inspired by their vice captain Jack Viney,they began to shift the game’s momentum,winning territory and creating goal scoring opportunities and drew within striking distance at half-time.
The third quarter was end-to-end football,with the game played with both teams keeping the accelerator to the floor. It did not help either side to hit targets as they turned the ball over repeatedly but gradually the Demons chipped away at the margin with Riewoldt’s two goals allowing the Tigers to keep their noses in front.
But they were losing their handle on the game,as Hibberd shut down Cumberland,and the Tigers squandered chances late in the third quarter with Samson Ryan and Maurice Rioli jnr missing set shots only to watch Clayton Oliver kick a goal after the siren to bring the final break’s margin back to two points.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick rued the misses saying inaccuracy from set shots was a significant factor in their defeat.
“From their set shots they kicked 9.5. We kicked 6.9. We had reasonably easy shots on goal and we just could not quite nail those and take advantage on the scoreboard,” Hardwick said.
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“It looked like a Richmond game. Time in forward half,forward half turnovers. We just weren’t clean enough for long enough and when push came to shove their rucks got hold of us.”
Hardwick said they had to move Noah Balta into the ruck as Melbourne’s Brodie Grundy changed the game’s course in the third quarter.
Kade Chandler kicked two important goals in the third quarter and ensured the Demons hit the lead early in the final term when he picked up a loose ball in the goal square and kicked a goal.
When van Rooyen took a screamer moments later and converted the goal the momentum was with Melbourne. He immediately followed up with a second goal to break Richmond’s hearts and stamp himself on the competition with the Demons’ season in good shape while the Tigers are well off the pace.
Melbourne: 2.2 6.2 10.5 15.6 (96)
Richmond: 5.2 8.4 10.7 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Melbourne: Chandler 3,van Rooyen 3,Neal-Bullen,Viney,Pickett,Fritsch,Petty,Langdon,Jordon,Oliver,Gawn.
Richmond: Riewoldt 4,Cumberland 3,Hopper,Mansell,Ryan,Martin.
BEST
Melbourne: Petracca,Hibberd,Viney,Gawn,Langdon,Neale-Bullen,Grundy.
Richmond: Short,Hopper,Riewoldt,Daniel Rioli,Balta.
VOTES
Christian Petracca (Melbourne) 8
Jayden Short (Richmond) 8
Michael Hibberd (Melbourne) 8
Jack Viney (Melbourne) 7
Max Gawn (Melbourne) 7
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