Tigers tumble to fourth lossrichmondfc.com.au
By Matt Burgan 4:29 PM Sun 18 April, 2010Richmond 5.2 7.7 7.9 11.12 (78)
Melbourne 8.1 8.7 15.11 20.13 (133)
GOALS
Richmond: Astbury 3, Riewoldt 3, Tambling, Morton, Nason, Taylor, Tuck
Melbourne: Sylvia 5, Green 4, Bate 3, Petterd 2, Bail 2, McDonald, Jamar, Dunn, Bartram
BEST
Richmond: Moore, Tuck, Deledio, Collins, Jackson, Cotchin.
Melbourne: McDonald, Moloney, Green, Sylvia, Jones, Bruce.
INJURIES
Richmond: Jackson (upper leg)
Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Brent Moloney (Melbourne) reported by umpire Scott McLaren for striking Ben Nason (Richmond) during the second quarter.
Umpires: Kennedy, McLaren, Grun
Official crowd: 42, 594 at MCG
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AFTER a round-one shocker against Hawthorn, Melbourne is now just out of the top eight on percentage after notching up an emphatic 55-point victory over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
The Demons 20.13 (133) defeated the Tigers 11.12 (133) to record consecutive victories for the first time since rounds 14 and 15, 2009.
After leading by just six points at the main break, Melbourne blew the game apart in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to zip, resulting in a 50-point lead at the final change.
Melbourne skipper James McDonald continued to belie his status as the AFL's fifth oldest player, racking up 14 touches in the first term, before finishing with 30.
Brent Moloney (37 disposals), Brad Green (four goals and 24 disposals) and Colin Sylvia (five goals), in his comeback match from a broken jaw, were also outstanding.
For the Tigers, Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt worked hard to finish with three goals. Debutant David Astbury also booted three majors. Shane Tuck (31 disposals) had the most touches for the Tigers.
Errant goal kicking had been a topic of conversation in the lead-up to round four, but it was a non-issue in a highly-entertaining first quarter with 13.3 registered, including 8.1 from Melbourne.
The last time the Demons kicked eight goals in an opening term was round 20, 2000 against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium. For the record, it kicked 8.2 back then.
There were some fine individual efforts throughout the match, including two brilliant goals.
In-form Dee Ricky Petterd made a diving knock-on from the boundary line - a la Wayne Harmes - to set up an opportunistic Matthew Bate goal in the first term.
Not to be outdone, in the second quarter Tiger Mitch Morton snapped a high one from the pocket, which wobbled through for a top goal.
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