Media articles & stats: Tigers toppled by Demons on Anzac Day eve

[one-eyed]

Tigers toppled by Demons on Anzac Day eve

By Callum Twomey
AFL Media
24 April 2021  11:00pm

MELBOURNE                     2.2      6.6       10.8      12.10 (82)
RICHMOND                        3.3       3.7       5.8       6.12 (48)

GOALS
Melbourne: McDonald 3, Fritsch 2, Jackson 2, Neal-Bullen 2, Petracca, Pickett, Salem
Richmond: Edwards 2, Riewoldt 2, Aarts, Bolton

BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Salem, Oliver, Hibberd, McDonald, Langdon, Viney, May
Richmond: Bolton, Baker, Edwards, Houli, Nankervis
 
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Lambert (calf), Martin (concussion)
 
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Chandler (unused)
Richmond: Ross (replaced Lambert in the third quarter)
 
CROWD
56,418 at the MCG

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Melbourne stamped its credentials as a premiership contender, getting over Richmond 12.10 (82) to 6.12 (48) on a wet MCG on Saturday night.

A concussion to superstar Dustin Martin in his 250th game compounded the loss for Richmond which, in a similar fashion to the round three thumping at the hands of Sydney, was set up by Melbourne's superior pressure and intent at the contest.

Martin was kept out of the contest well before his night was officially ended in the middle of the third quarter.
 
Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd had limited the three-time Norm Smith medallist to just eight disposals before his injury, in a pivotal role in the Demons' victory. Martin, feted for his durability having only missed eight games of his career, is set to miss next Friday's clash with the top-of-the-ladder Western Bulldogs under the AFL concussion protocols. Premiership midfielder Kane Lambert is also likely to miss with a calf injury.

The Tigers kicked the first couple of goals of the match and dominated early play, looking like a side determined to remind everyone who is king, but from midway through the first quarter to halfway through the third it was the Demons that controlled play.

Jack Riewoldt had booted 360 goals at the MCG before Saturday night, but none quite like the opening major of this clash.

With the turf slippery after some pre-game Melbourne rain, the Richmond spearhead at first nutmegged opponent Adam Tomlinson by kicking it through his legs while they scrapped for the ball.

But Riewoldt kept running and instead of picking the ball up, threw his left leg at the Sherrin from the boundary line and saw it skid through for a brilliant – and just as deliberate – goal for the three-time Coleman medallist.

It was the Tigers' only highlight of the night, however.

The belief Melbourne picked up out of withstanding Richmond's early onslaught turned into something far more tangible in the second term. The Demons booted four unanswered goals for the quarter to take a 17-point lead into the main change.

The Demons weren't done there. Any sense they could get complacent, or open the door for the Tigers to reenter the contest, was put aside when Luke Jackson soccered through the first goal of the third term, and Melbourne's pressure continued to overwhelm a side renowned for the same quality.

The Tigers eventually broke a seven-goal run from the Demons, but with Martin struggling with injury, there was little spark for the yellow and black who slumped to a 30-point deficit at three-quarter time. The game safe, Melbourne pulled out some party tricks in the fourth term to cruise to another win.

Christian Petracca (38 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal) was best afield, but such has been the Demons' season, the load was evenly spread. Christian Salem set up the game with 23 disposals in the first half (he finished with 39), while Clayton Oliver (36) and Ed Langdon (32) were also important in Melbourne's midfield mauling. Liam Baker and Shai Bolton were lone hands for the Tigers.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/920111/tigers-toppled-by-demons-on-anzac-day-eve
https://www.afl.com.au/news/600002/dusty-down-as-demons-topple-tigers-for-6-0-start

[one-eyed]

Demons stamp premiership claims with win over Tigers

Peter Ryan
The Age
April 25, 2021

Christian Petracca has made it clear he wants to be Tigers champion Dustin Martin’s successor as he led Melbourne to a dominant victory over the reigning premiers to stamp the Demons as a genuine premiership contender.

He was the most powerful player on the ground in the second half, while Martin had one of the quietest nights of his career, before being concussed in a marking contest in the third quarter.

The knock means Martin will miss next Friday night’s huge match against the undefeated Western Bulldogs.

But Anzac Eve was Melbourne’s night as they beat Richmond at their own game to celebrate loyal veteran Nathan Jones’ 300th game in style with a 34-point win.

After withstanding the Tigers’ fierce and familiar pressure early they gained momentum when the rain arrived at the start of the second quarter, kicking seven unanswered goals to break the game open.

In the end they had rattled Richmond so much the Tigers gave away two undisciplined free kicks in front of goal without the ball being contested as a melee broke out when Kysaiah Pickett became upset with Rhyan Mansell.

Melbourne supporters enjoyed the moment but they will enjoy more the fact the Demons remain undefeated after six rounds for the first time since 1965 (the year Norm Smith was sacked).

They had winners on every line, with Michael Hibberd scoring the points in the game’s most important battle against Martin, who had just six disposals in the first half before finishing the game with eight touches, having spent most of the second half off the ground.

Such was Melbourne’s ferocity it would have mattered little if Martin had been fully fit as they had contributions from Petracca and his fellow midfielders Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and James Jordon.

Their wingman Angus Brayshaw and Ed Langdon were excellent too, with Langdon an expert at creating overlap run while ruckman Max Gawn was indefatigable.

Gawn’s example early was crucial, as he stood in the hole in front of Tom Lynch and took the punishment, dusted himself off and then outworked Toby Nankervis around the ground.

The most impressive aspect of the win was that Richmond – who lost Kane Lambert with a calf injury in the third quarter – weren’t lacking effort.

It was just that Melbourne were able to move the ball in waves to reach the most impressive forward on the ground in Tom McDonald, who kicked back-to-back goals in the second quarter when the game was hot.

That ability to run in waves is due to their belief in what lies behind the ball with Richmond’s surges coming up against brick walls in Lever’s marking and Christian Salem winning ground balls at will.

Steven May is an elite defender and showed great courage to return from an eye socket injury, beating Lynch in the one-on-one battles while Lever has become the player Melbourne recruited him to be.

At the moment Alex Neal-Bullen is an underrated player, with his brilliant snap shot getting the Demons moving in the second quarter while Charlie Spargo has found the terrier role to his liking.

There were contributors all over the ground as the Demons celebrated one of their most decisive and impressive wins in their recent history in front of 56,418 spectators.

Richmond now face the prospect of a rampant Bulldogs on Friday night without Martin, who has rarely missed in his 250-game career, and Lambert, raising the question of whether the lure is in danger of being caught.

Shai Bolton was their best player but the pressure they applied in the first quarter disappeared when Melbourne realised they could stand up to it and punch back.

BEST:
Melbourne: Petracca, Salem, Oliver, Gawn, Langdon, McDonald, May, Hibberd
Richmond: Bolton, Baker, Edwards

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/demons-stamp-premiership-claims-with-win-over-tigers-20210424-p57m23.html