MATCH DETAILS

MELBOURNE V RICHMOND
Date: Monday 24 April
Time: 7:25pm (AEST)
Location: MCG | Wurundjeri 

ANZAC DAY EVE CLASH

The ANZAC Day Eve clash is one of the highlights of the Melbourne fixture each year, with fans flocking to the MCG to witness a special pre-game spectacle that honours the people who have served or are currently serving our country.

The ANZAC Day Eve pre-game ceremony will pay tribute to those who currently serve, veterans and family members of the Australian Defence Force. We encourage all fans attending to be in their seats by 6:45pm for the ANZAC Observance Ceremony. 

ANZAC DAY EVE GUERNSEY

80 years on from his passing, Melbourne has honoured the life and legacy of Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott, launching the club’s 2023 ANZAC Day Eve guernsey, inspired by the late Demon.

Truscott’s legacy is unique and expansive, remembered as a club great, a two-time premiership star and most importantly, as a decorated hero of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

In 1940, at the age of 24, Truscott enlisted in the RAAF and balanced his football and military duties, taking leave from the air force in September to play in the 1940 VFL Grand Final, in which Melbourne defeated Richmond by 39 points.

Truscott was described as a skilful and courageous fighter pilot and was acknowledged for his exceptional service, awarded a number of medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar (DFC), the Pacific Star and the Defence Medal.

Truscott was killed during a RAAF training operation on March 28^th, 1943, when his aircraft hit the sea in the waters of Exmouth, Western Australia. He was 26 years old.

The club’s 2023 ANZAC Day Eve guernsey, was inspired by Truscott’s journey during his time of service.

You can buy our 2023 ANZAC Day Eve Guernsey here.

TICKETING

Fans are encouraged to get down to Melbourne’s spiritual home of the MCG from 5pm, when gates open, before the first bounce at 7:25pm. Tickets to the game can be found here.

General Admission Seating

Please note, general admission seating areas are subject to change. 

Shane Warne Stand
M5-M6
M7 (rows A-O)
M12 (rows A-U - no alcohol)
Q1-Q15 1/2

Ponsford Stand
M28 (rows A-Z)
M29-M32
M33 (rows T-NN)
M34-M36
Level 4 closed

Olympic Stand
Q49-Q53 (rows K-MM)
Q54-Q57

AFL Reserve
Not available

Memberships
Join the legion and show your Demon Spirit in 2023. Sign on as a Melbourne member today and enjoy the footy action live at the MCG. 

For those unable to attend, the game will be available to watch live via the Seven Network, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports. Dees supporters can currently access a Kayo x Melbourne membership deal here, with a 12-month subscription part of the package.

President's Club | Melbourne Football Club’s Premier Match Day Event

Held in Melbourne Cricket Ground’s stunning Olympic Room, experience the Melbourne Football Club’s marquee match day event in the President's Club.

With high profile guest speakers, live music and entertainment, the President's Club is the ideal match day event for any sport fan. 

Key Inclusions

• Gourmet 3-course dining experience with half time supper
• Premium beverage package served throughout
• Centre Wing Level 2 reserved seating
• First class entertainment and guest speakers

The Lounge

The Lounge offers the very best in match day hospitality with a casual atmosphere. Enjoy a selection of blockbuster home games at the MCG in a casual stand-up function with complimentary cocktail food, beer, wine, and soft drinks, where you can watch the game from inside or from the comfort of your premium reserved seats just outside the room.

Experience Includes:

• Ground-facing function room
• Premium Level 1 or Level 2 reserved seating
• Wandering cocktail food (one hour pre-game and half time) 
• Beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Live Entertainment & Guest Speakers

MATCH DAY INFORMATION

Public Transport | Metro Disruptions

There are two train stations close to the MCG, Jolimont and Richmond.

To get to Jolimont station, take the Hurstbridge or Epping lines from any railway station in the central business district.

To get to Richmond station from the city, take any train on the Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley, Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston or Sandringham lines.

Multiple tram routes also stop close to the stadium, including the 70 (via Melbourne Park light rail), the 48 and 75 (both Wellington Parade).

Metro Disruptions

Lilydale / Belgrave line passengers
Buses will replace trains between Parliament and Box Hill this evening.
Passengers are advised to go to Parliament station for replacement bus services.

Glen Waverley line passengers
Buses will replace trains between Richmond and Glen Waverley this evening.
Passengers are advised to go to Richmond station for replacement bus services.
Those travelling beyond East Malvern are to get a Pakenham or Frankston train to Caulfield station for replacement bus services.

To map out your trip to the 'G, use the PTV Journey Planner.

Arrive early

We are encouraging fans to arrive early to the MCG to ensure supporters are inside in time for the match start.

The entry process includes security bag checks, scanning of ticket and finding your spot to enjoy the game live.

We encourage supporters to download their ticket prior to their arrival at the MCG.

Gates open

5:00pm: MCC Members Reserve
5:00pm: AFL Reserve (Gate 6) and Public Gates

Stadium Facilities

Find out more on the below stadium facilities:
- Food outlets
- Bars and cafes
- Accessible facilities

A stadium directory is available here.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Haymes Paint Kick for Cash Returns 

Haymes Paint's Kick for Cash is back in 2023, with more ways to WIN. Yourself and a teammate can enter for a chance to kick for cash on the hallowed turf of the MCG. 

Minor prizes include a $200 Haymes Paint voucher and $200 cash, with the major prize being $10,000 awarded to your nominated local footy club. 

Got what it takes? Tell us in 25 words or less how your local club could benefit from $10,000 and you could get the chance to kick for cash. >>Enter here<<

New Balance's Demon Dash 

The Demon Dash returns to the ‘G at three-quarter time of every home game in 2023, thanks to New Balance.

Register now for your chance to run against a Demon PLUS win a $300 New Balance voucher and a pair of FuelCell Propel v4 just for participating.

>>Details and registration found here<<

The Demon Shop

The shop will be open on the day of the game, up until one hour after the final siren. The Demon Shop is located on Brunton Avenue, underneath light tower 4. 

More location info can be found here.

FOLLOW THE GAME

Broadcast and streaming

The game will be broadcast nationally via Seven Network, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports from 7:00pm (AEDT).

Radio

Tune in on the below stations:
- Triple M
- 3AW
- SEN
- ABC 774
- AFL Nation

Check the AFL Broadcast Guide for interstate and regional radio timings.

Match Centre

Get live scores, stats and highlights via the Demons Match Centre. Available on the website and mobile app.

Social Media

Follow us across social media for a behind-the-scenes insight on game day as well as live match updates as they happen.

Use the hashtags #AFLDeesTigers and #DemonSpirit to join the conversation.

Facebook: facebook.com/MelbourneFC
Twitter: @MelbourneFC
Instagram: @melbournefc
TikTok: @melbournefc

SUPPORT OUR VFL/VFLW

Show your support by getting down to Casey Fields as both our VFL & VFLW teams play at home this Sunday.

MATCH DETAILS

VFL
CASEY DEMONS V RICHMOND
Date: Sunday 23 April
Time: 1:35pm (AEDT)
Location: Casey Fields, VIC

VFLW
CASEY DEMONS v SOUTHERN SAINTS
Date: Sunday 23 April
Time: 10:30am (AEDT)
Location: Casey Fields, VIC

THE SENSE of urgency registered with Melbourne.

Trailing by two goals late in the third quarter against Richmond in Monday night's annual Anzac Day eve clash, the Demons had to make their move.

Seven unanswered goals later and Melbourne had locked away its fourth win of 2023, a hard-fought, at times scratchy and at times pulsating 18-point victory at a packed MCG.

The Demons' usual faces all lifted to the occasion, with hardened midfielder Jack Viney consistent throughout to claim best afield honours, midfield duo Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver stepping up and taking control, Jake Lever dominant in the air and ruck pair Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy having a big say on proceedings.

The 15.6 (96) to 11.12 (78) victory also included a brilliant three-goal final quarter from youngster Jacob van Rooyen, the young Demon taking his moment when it mattered.

The boo was replaced by the 'Roo', with the cheers for the second-year Demon reverberating around the ground in Melbourne's biggest home game of the season.

Richmond came with a plan and executed perfectly in the opening quarter. The Tigers took an 18-point advantage into the second term, with Noah Cumberland's three first-quarter goals lighting the fuse for the yellow and black.

Without spearhead Tom Lynch in attack, the Tigers were careful not to bang the ball in long for Steven May and Lever to cut off and intercept. Instead they went low, causing havoc in Melbourne's back half as Cumberland's speed caught them off guard.

Richmond was dangerous at ground level, swooping on loose balls and following up, with Rhyan Mansell's last-minute snap symbolic of a term where the Tigers' hunt had overwhelmed the Demons.

Richmond jumped to a 25-point lead midway through the second quarter on the back of Jack Riewoldt's pair of goals, but late goals to Bayley Fritsch and Ed Langdon cut the Demons' deficit back to 14 points at half-time.

Jayden Short's influence continued to be significant, with his penetrating kicking and speed breaking the lines, but Melbourne had started to get some points back in the midfield battle deep in the half to shift the momentum.

They carried that into a lively third term, with Kade Chandler's two-goal effort lifting them, but Riewoldt responding with his own two goals. As the game lifted in intensity, so did both teams, who drew on their big-game experience – between them they have won four of the past six premierships – to match each other's blows.

After a manic last minute of the term that included a rough slide tackle, some tough tackling and tight non-umpiring calls, Oliver's set shot after the three-quarter time siren just sailed over the line to bring the Demons back to within two points at the final change.

The Tigers couldn't control the Dees' run from then, with van Rooyen crucial as the Dees jumped to 4-2 to start 2023.

Young Dee grabs his moment
It had been a quiet night for Melbourne's new fan favourite Jacob van Rooyen until his moment came in the last quarter. As Melbourne got its run on, van Rooyen joined in on the action, taking a big flying mark over Tigers backman Noah Balta in the early stages of the term. With the perfect sit, van Rooyen took his chance and then coolly kicked the goal. Moments later he won a free kick from the same forward flank but his kick that time faded right for a behind, before he then took another mark a minute later. The purple patch was confirmed when he kicked his second and then third goals later in the term in an important cameo.

Rucks have their say
The return of Max Gawn to lead Melbourne's ruck division alongside Brodie Grundy was expected to give the Demons a clear advantage in the ruck and midfield battle against Richmond, who are missing Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo due to injury. It saw Ben Miller thrown into the starting ruck and big forward Samson Ryan also pinch-hit, with the pair combining for 21 career games against 'Gawndy's' 367 AFL matches. The Tigers duo battled manfully, with Ryan also hitting the scoreboard, but Gawn's impact was significant in the second half, with the captain having 17 disposals, a goal and taking eight marks.

The big Short (influence)
Richmond has been hit hard by injuries this season but the impact of Jayden Short's absence became extra clear upon his return on Monday night. Short had missed the Tigers' previous three games with a calf injury (all of which were defeats) but he was back to some of his best against the Demons. The 27-year-old was terrific, particularly in the first three quarters, gathering 30 disposals and having a game-high 644 metres gained.

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, Fritsch, Jordon, Langdon, Neal-Bullen, Oliver, Petty, Pickett, Viney, Gawn
Richmond: Riewoldt 4, Cumberland 3, Hopper, Mansell, Martin, Ryan

BEST 
Melbourne: Viney, Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Lever, Sparrow
Richmond: Short, Riewoldt, Taranto, Martin, Hopper

INJURIES 
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: M.Rioli (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES 
Melbourne: Bailey Laurie (replaced Trent Rivers in the fourth quarter)
Richmond: Hugo Ralphsmith (replaced Ben Miller in the fourth quarter)