A FRIGHTENLY quick Melbourne side – capitalised upon by twin towers Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy – has torn through Richmond, sending a warning to the rest of the competition with a 50-point win at a packed Casey Fields.

Rubbing salt into the wound for the Tigers was yet another injury to premier midfielder Dion Prestia, his game finishing early in the second term with a strained pec in the 18.13 (121) to 10.11 (71) loss.

Gawn and Grundy played a variety of roles around the ground, the skipper even featuring in defence at times, and kicked six between them before half-time, with their marking a clear highlight.

The Tigers were without Robbie Tarrant (hip), with former VFL defender Tylar Young given a baptism of fire against 'Gawndy'.

The speed at which Melbourne moved the football – driven by the likes of Christian Petracca (32 and four clearances), Clayton Oliver (31 and nine), Lachie Hunter (26) and Kozzie Pickett (14 and six tackles, playing mostly midfield) – left the Richmond defence at sixes and sevens, futilely lunging at the backs of Demon jumpers while two steps behind their opponents.

The Demons kicked six goals before Richmond saluted for its first through Dustin Martin (staying close to goal the entire game) in the second quarter.

Melbourne's disciplined defence, directed by Steven May (22 and nine marks), and the work of its midfielders to push back made life very difficult for Richmond, with Tom Lynch playing after missing last week's match simulation, and Noah Cumberland often the deepest forward.

Liam Baker – who had appendix surgery just two weeks ago – was one of Richmond's best, playing off half-back with 36 disposals and 660m gained.

Lynch's day ended at three-quarter time in a planned rotation after spending most of pre-season rehabbing a foot injury, with Samson Ryan – who had a lively final quarter – coming on in his spot.

New faces
Melbourne winger Lachie Hunter performed strongly as he pushes for a round one berth, racking up 26 disposals and impressing with his overlap run and smarts around the field. He capped off a strong day with a stunning goal from the boundary, on the run. On the surface, it appears there aren't any teething issues with the inclusion of Grundy, taking now-Docker Luke Jackson's role beautifully.

Round one chance
Hunter and Grundy aside, Melbourne is unlikely to be featuring any fresh faces in its first 22 for its round one game against the Western Bulldogs, but keep your eye on Kade Chandler (1.3) who was a constant threat throughout the game. For the Tigers, previous fringe players Thomson Dow (15 disposals) and Judson Clarke (14) performed quite well in the midfield and on the wing respectively. If Marlion Pickett (adductor) doesn't come up, pencil Clarke's name in.

Medical room
Prestia's day finished early, but there doesn't appear to be huge concern. The midfielder removed his ice-pack from the affected area and completed run-throughs at half-time. Grundy spent a brief period of time off the field in the first term after a knock to his finger, courtesy of a Kamdyn McIntosh tackle, but returned in fine form. There'll be a few sore heads among the Tiger boys, with both Ivan Soldo and Noah Cumberland copping falcons.

MELBOURNE     5.3     9.8     12.11     18.13     (121)
RICHMOND       0.3     3.6       7.8        10.11     (71)

GOALS
Melbourne: Grundy 3, Gawn 3, McDonald 3, Spargo 2, Neal-Bullen, Pickett, Sparrow, Brown, Chandler, Petracca, Hunter
Richmond: Martin, Balta, Riewoldt, Lynch, Dow, Baker, Short, D.Rioli, Taranto, Ryan 

BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Gawn, Hunter, Oliver, May
Richmond: Baker, Taranto, Hopper, Vlastuin, Martin 

INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Prestia (strained pec) 

Reports: Nil