Dees too strong for Tigersafl.com.au
24 April 2025MELBOURNE 3.2 5.4 11.7 12.11 (83)
RICHMOND 2.3 4.6 5.8 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Melbourne: Petty 2, Petracca 2, Fritsch 2, Chandler 2, Tholstrup, Sparrow, Pickett, Langdon
Richmond: Lynch 3, Taranto 2, Nankervis, Mansell, Lalor, Green
BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Petracca, Bowey, Salem, Rivers, Langdon, May
Richmond: Taranto, Hopper, Dow, Ross, Short, Nankervis
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Harry Sharp (replaced Koltyn Tholstrup in the fourth quarter)
Richmond: Tom Brown (replaced Campbell Gray in the third quarter)
Crowd: 71,635 at the MCG
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A poor third quarter has seen Richmond suffer a 20-point defeat to Melbourne in the 10th edition of the traditional Anzac Day Eve clash at the MCG on Thursday night.
The Tigers trailed by just four points at half-time after a tough, contested battle between both sides, before the Demons kicked away, booting six goals to Richmond’s one in the third term.
Adem Yze’s men fought until the very end, kicking the last four goals of the game through Tom Lynch, Tim Taranto and Toby Nankervis, to close the final score to 12.11 (83) to 9.9 (63).
Thomson Dow had an impressive performance for the Tigers, collecting a career-high 28 disposals, with other major ball-winners being Jayden Short (25), Jack Ross (24), Jacob Hopper (23), Nick Vlastuin (22) and Taranto (22).
Lynch finished the night with three goals, Taranto booted two majors, with goals also coming from Nankervis, the returning Rhyan Mansell, Sam Lalor and Steely Green.
On debut, Campbell Gray showed promising signs throughout the game before being subbed out.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1764228/round-7-match-reportFor Richmond, it was the type of so-near, yet so-far performance many had come to expect from this season. There were hints of another upset, most notably during a spell on either side of quarter-time where the Tigers kicked three unanswered goals to surprisingly snare the lead and get to within four points at half-time.
But they were outweighed by far more moments of frustration, like three consecutive Tom Lynch shots that sprayed wide of the target. Or a free kick against Maurice Rioli jnr that gifted Harrison Petty a goal from the goal line. A shocking Nick Vlastuin turnover didn't quite end their hopes, but the resulting goal certainly didn't help.
It was those type of lamentable lapses in discipline and execution that continued throughout the second half, as Melbourne soared towards a second straight win – and one that could put its season back on track – while Richmond teetered through an understandably difficult night within a rebuild that's just beginning.
Not even four straight Tiger goals to finish the game, ensuring a deficit that had earlier ballooned to 44 points became more respectable by the finish, could change the mood of Adem Yze's men. By that point the contest was over, the damage done.
A crowd of 71,635 attended the game and saw a moving pre-game Anzac Ceremony, which included the Shrine guards entering the arena to hand the Eternal Flame from the Shrine of Remembrance to the Corangamite Light Horse Troop for a lap of honour around the MCG.
Both teams then lined up to watch the Eternal Flame be lit, before the Ode to the Fallen, Last Post, and New Zealand and Australian national anthems. A joint banner was then raised which Richmond and Melbourne players ran through together.
The Tigers remain at the MCG in Round 8, facing Hawthorn next Sunday at 3:20pm.
Petty takes the Tiger giftsIt was Richmond that found a way to get Harrison Petty into Thursday night's contest, not Melbourne. First, the Demons forward profited from Maurice Rioli jnr's off-ball free kick he gave away for wrestling with Jake Bowey behind play. It took Petty to the goalsquare, where he easily converted. Just moments later, and with the game in the balance heading towards half-time, Petty was the beneficiary of a Nick Vlastuin brain fade. The Tiger defender's kick was so wayward it nearly took Petty by surprise. But he caught the turnover and slotted through again, getting his night underway.
Oliver catches Q3 fireThe questions were being posed about Clayton Oliver at half-time on Thursday night. What was up with Melbourne's star midfield man? He'd had just five disposals, hadn't won a single clearance, and had spent just 69 percent of his time on the ground. Only two players – Maurice Rioli jnr and Tom Fullarton – had managed less until then. Well, Oliver played like a man with a point to prove in the third term. Inspiring the Demons' thrilling six-goal spell, Oliver had 13 disposals and five clearances for the quarter alone to finish with 22 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles for the match.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1306144/melbourne-demons-v-richmond-tigers-match-report-afl-round-seven-2025
