1. Finally, back-to-back wins for the Dees
Coming into Sunday night's Anzac Day eve game at the MCG, the Demons hadn't strung together consecutive wins since rounds 13 and 14 back in 2011. But all that changed with a stirring victory over the Tigers. The Demons find themselves 3-2 now with the loss to the Bombers their only real blemish in what has been a terrific start to the season for Paul Roos' charges. What is most pleasing for Demon fans is the attacking style of football they are playing. For the third week in a row, the Dees scored over 100 points. In contrast, last season they only did that on four occasions. For the Tigers, they now sit 1-4 and the pressure on them and their coach Damien Hardwick continues to mount. Adding further salt to their wounds, defender Alex Rance will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel after his frustration boiled over in the final term, leading him to dish out a whack to the back of Jack Watts' head.
2. The beard v the mullet
It was an enthralling contest between the two ruckmen on Sunday night. In one corner, Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn in career best form and in the other, big Ivan Maric in his first senior game for the season. There was some real heat between these two giants with some push and shove at the interchange bench in the opening term. Gawn asserted himself on the contest early. The Demon dominated the ruck in the opening half with 26 hit-outs to Maric's 10. He was Melbourne's most influential player in the half with 13 disposals and two goals adding to his domination in the ruck. Maric worked his way into the match in the second term after a very quiet opening quarter but was no match for the beard. Gawn was far too dominant not only at the stoppages but around the ground, finishing with 47 hit-outs, 18 disposals and two goals.
3. Demons' young midfield brigade stands up
Combing with Gawn is the Demon's young midfield brigade which has gone from strength-to-strength so far this season. On Sunday night, it was Jack Viney who led the way, notching up career-best figures of 38 disposals (24 contested possessions) and a game-high 10 clearances. As always his pressure was outstanding, registering eight tackles for the game. Viney was ably assisted by Dom Tyson, who played arguably his best game for the Demons. The former Giant was prolific against the Tigers, gathering 31 possessions, just one shy of equaling his career-best number, five clearances and kicking two goals.
4. Where's Lids?
For weeks, questions over Brett Deledio's fitness have dominated Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's press conferences. Hampered by a quad injury throughout the pre-season, the star midfielder has missed the opening four games of the season and being confined to kicking with a kid's footy. Finally, Tigers fans got the answer they were looking for. Not only was Deledio named in the 25-man squad to face the Demons on Thursday night, but he was still in the side following training on Saturday. But 90 minutes before the game, the news came that all Tigers fans were dreading. Deledio out. Jacob Townsend in. Richmond insisted the midfielder was withdrawn because of a lack of preparation, denying he had suffered a setback.
5. Anzac spirit
There were incredibly moving scenes before the first bounce on Sunday night with fans flocking to the ground early to pay their respect. With the MCG plunged into darkness, the crowd glowed like fireflies as they lit up the arena with their phones to welcome the Anzac flame onto the hallowed turf of the 'G. After a lap of honour, the cauldron was then lit by David and Jenny Jones, the parents of Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. As a hush fell over the stadium, the Last Post rang out, giving football fans and players alike a moment to reflect and remember those who have sacrificed so much for our country. In a touching show of unity, the Demons and Tigers ran through a joint banner, which read, "at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them", before locking horns in an intriguing battle.
