A different game in the rain

WHEN Melbourne walked down the race at half-time on Saturday night, it was right in the game, just three points behind the Tigers.

But with rain tumbling down in the third term, the Dees failed to adjust, conceding five goals to a classy Richmond outfit and losing touch with the match.

The Tigers handled the conditions better, playing tough, clean football, as the Demons fell to a 33-point loss at the MCG.

The numbers

DISPOSALS: Oliver 32, Hibberd 29, Jones, Viney 22, Salem 21, Frost, Harmes, Kennedy Harris, Petracca 20

GOALS: Fritsch 3, Dunkley, Lewis 2, Brayshaw, C.Wagner

Competing for half

Up against a quality top-four side, the Demons were challenged in Round 20, but appeared up for the fight.

It was a tight first half, with Melbourne matching the Tigers’ six goals, competing strongly despite fielding an undermanned side.

The territory battle

While the Dees were competitive for much of the evening, Richmond seemed to be in control of the game.

The Tigers had a whopping 70 inside 50s for the night – 33 more than the red and blue – creating plenty more opportunities to score.

It was always going to be tough for Melbourne to prevent the Tigers’ attack, and as it played out, they hit the scoreboard 28 times to 15.

Tigers pounce on errors

Scores from turnovers have been an issue for the Demons in recent weeks, and that continued on Saturday night.

Melbourne coughed up 10.13 (73) from their errors, butchering the ball by foot with 77 turnovers – 11 more than its opposition.

Throwing around the magnets

With personnel missing and answers needing to be found, Simon Goodwin continued to trial his players in different positions throughout the game.

Jayden Hunt, who has spent the 2019 season up forward, returned to defence against the Tigers, while the reinvented defensive-forward Jordan Lewis was effective again in a lockdown role on Dylan Grimes.

The Dees also persisted with Bayley Fritsch and Harry Petty inside 50, and the duo both looked dangerous in their new positions.

Lever’s scare

Jake Lever hobbled down the race in the opening minutes of the second term, but fortunately for Melbourne fans, he returned free of major concern.

The defender, who missed 12 months with an ACL injury, just rolled his ankle and was unhindered in his attempts to play out the game.

Going home with a Jaguar

One red and blue supporter went home a winner on Saturday night, as a young member was plucked out of the crowd and handed the keys to a Jaguar E-Pace.

The quarter-time activation saw signs waved ferociously from the stands, as Melbourne’s major sponsor gave away the incredible prize.

A word from Goody

“Tale of two halves tonight,” Simon Goodwin told Melbourne Media post-game.

“I thought our first half, when it was pretty good conditions, there were some things that certainly worked well for us.

“But as soon as the rain came the momentum shifted – we played a very good wet weather footy team and we just didn’t adjust to the conditions as well as we would’ve liked.”

Looking ahead

Round 21 v Collingwood @ MCG – Saturday, 10 August, 1:45pm AEST

Melbourne fans will have the chance to be a part of the club’s ‘Retro Rival Round’ this week, with some exciting activations taking place in the lead up to the Round 21 clash with Collingwood.

The Demons have plenty to play for against the old enemy, so it is set to be a fiery contest on Saturday afternoon.