Melbourne have run over the top of Richmond to win 42-85 in Wednesday night’s Anzac Eve clash at the MCG.
With both sides coming off the bye, the first half was a bit of a tug-of-war as neither team could get ahead as Richmond entered the main break one point ahead.
The early going was plagued by skill issues as both teams sat back and defended well, while a lack of overall stoppages didn’t allow Melbourne’s midfield to really get into the game.
Things changed early in the second half though, as Melbourne got the ball deep inside 50 and set up a wall of defence behind that to kick the first four goals of the third term.
Simon Goodwin’s side took a 23-point lead into the fourth term and that only increased in the last term as they eventually ran out 43-point winners.
For Melbourne, their key defenders in Steven May and Jake Lever had a field day with Richmond’s poor usage inside 50, while Max Gawn won the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes Medal for best afield.
Richmond’s best included youngsters Maurice Rioli Jr and Thomson Dow who showed some great signs, while other senior players can also hold their heads high.
The Dees, who are now 5-2, next face Geelong in a blockbuster clash at the MCG next Saturday night while Richmond host Fremantle at the same venue on Sunday where they’ll continue searching for their second win of the campaign.
Our player ratings:
Richmond
Maurice Rioli Jr: B+
Was very good, particularly in the first three quarters as a deep forward. Kicked a couple of goals.
Thomson Dow: B+
Perhaps his best game at AFL level? Showed some real signs of class and composure and finished with 22 disposals and eight tackles.
Nick Vlastuin: B+
Continued his quality season and finished with a typical seven-mark, 20-disposal stat-line.
Liam Baker: B+
Jacob Hopper: B+
Was subbed out late in the third term with a hamstring injury but was probably the best on-baller on the ground before that. Finished with 23 disposals.
Shai Bolton: B
Kicked a goal and had 18 touches but really could have done a lot more. This grade might be harsh, but he is capable of much more.
Toby Nankervis: B
Battled well and can hold his head up high against Max Gawn.
Ben Miller: B
Completely shut down Petty and was strong aerially all game.
Hugo Ralphsmith: B
A quality game from the young outside runner. Finished with 21 disposals and did well to go head-to-head with Ed Langdon all night.
Tylar Young: B
Did well in key defence playing primarily on Jacob Van Rooyen.
Nathan Broad: B-
Daniel Rioli: B-
Finished with 23 disposals.
Marlion Pickett: B-
Didn’t do a lot offensively but played an important role in limiting Christian Petracca’s influence whenever the ball went away from the contest.
Dustin Martin: B-
Kicked an early goal and had 18 disposals but didn’t have a big impact.
Tom Brown: C+
Mykelti Lefau: C+
Was beaten too often but still showed some nice signs as an emerging forward.
Sam Naismith: C
Dylan Grimes: C
Sam Banks: C
Jack Graham: C-
Rhyan Mansell: C-
Seth Campbell: D
Kamdyn McIntosh: N/A
Started as the sub for just the fourth time in his career and came on for Jacob Hopper in the fourth term.
Melbourne
Max Gawn: A+
Won the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes Medal after kicking a goal to go with 23 disposals, 10 marks, 26 hitouts and 5 clearances. Won his ruck battle and also helped Melbourne set up brilliantly as a defensive wall.
Steven May: A
Took 12 marks to go with 23 touches as he proved an immovable object in defensive 50 that Richmond simply couldn’t get around.
Daniel Turner: A
Had never kicked a goal in AFL footy but ended with three majors and eight marks. Huge scoreboard impact in a low-scoring game until the last term.
Jake Lever: A
Another huge piece down back. Helped control the air down back alongside May.
Ed Langdon: B+
Was important in helping his team gain metres and link plays from defensive 50 to forward 50. Was stationed on a wing alongside Hugo Ralphsmith with the ball more often than not on their side.
Kysaiah Pickett: B+
Kicked a couple of goals but again could have had more. Also had 20 disposals.
Trent Rivers: B+
Blake Howes: B
Becoming a piece of the furniture in a very strong back six.
Caleb Windsor: B
Kicked a goal and had 14 disposals before being subbed off in the fourth term.
Christian Petracca: B-
Did a few nice things and kicked a goal but didn’t impact much. Was again tagged on the outside by a wingman, this time Marlion Pickett.
Clayton Oliver: B-
Had 23 touches but didn’t impact much in a non-midfielder friendly game.
Bayley Fritsch: B-
Didn’t have a big impact but still finished a couple of his opportunities.
Tom McDonald: B-
Judd McVee: B-
Did well to nullify Martin’s influence in defence but didn’t impact as much as he would have liked to with ball in hand.
Jack Viney: B-
Jack Billings: B-
Alex Neal-Bullen: C+
Jacob Van Rooyen: C
Kicked the first goal of the game but was quiet after that.
Taj Woewodin: C
Tom Sparrow: C
Kade Chandler: C-
Harrison Petty: D
Another game with next to zero impact up forward.
Bailey Laurie: N/A
Came on in the fourth term for Caleb Windsor and snagged two nice goals.
