Summary

For the third round in a row, Melbourne missed a golden opportunity to claim the four points. After starting the season with back-to-back wins, the Demons have lost to Geelong (29 points), Fremantle (two) and now Richmond by 13 points. On each occasion, the Dees not only could’ve won – they really should’ve. Six more scoring shots than the Cats – including 19 behinds – cost Melbourne victory, before it gave up a 21-point lead at half-time against Fremantle. On Monday night, Melbourne squandered a 20-point lead at three quarter-time to fall short against a still undefeated Richmond, giving the Dees a 2-3 win/loss record after five rounds.  

The stat

Melbourne had a dominant 19 inside 50s to five in the first quarter, yet only led by three points at quarter-time, which proved costly in the wash-up. Although the Demons still had almost double the forward entries by half-time (39 to 20) – and led 52 to 35 at three quarter-time – when the Tigers had had 22 to five inside 50s, and kicked 5.5 to 0.2 in the final term, it was enough to turn the tide and give them victory.

Leather poisoning

Young-gun Clayton Oliver continued his outstanding season with an equal game-high 32 disposals. Tiger star Dustin Martin also had 32 touches.

The number

85,657 – was the phenomenal attendance figure for the third consecutive ANZAC Day Eve clash between the two teams. It was also far and away the best crowd figure achieved for a Melbourne and Richmond game, eclipsing the previous best of 76,387 at the MCG in round 22, 1998. It was also the fourth biggest home and away crowd for a match involving Melbourne. It now sits 22nd on the list for all-time Melbourne games, including home and away, and finals matches.

Experience differential

Games: Richmond (1750) v Melbourne (1611)

Goals: Richmond (1154) v Melbourne (966)

Average age: Melbourne (24 years, 138 days) v Richmond (24 years, 132 days)

Did you know …

That 30 players who played at least one VFL/AFL match for Melbourne made the ultimate sacrifice. Those players were as follows:

World War I: Jim Bonelli, Cliff Burge, Jack Doubleday, Bill Fischer, Albert Gourlay, Mal Kennedy, Frank Lugton, Jim Mackie, Bill Maxwell, Fen McDonald, Alick Ogilvie, Joe Pearce, Leo Rankin, Harold Rippon, Percy Rodriguez, Bobby Royle, Alf Williamson;

World War II: Syd L. Anderson, Jack Atkins, Harold Ball, Ron J.Barassi, Laurie Brady, Noel Ellis, Clyde Helmer, Derek Mollison, Ted Regan, Beres Reilly, Archie Roberts, Keith Truscott, Barney Wood

3 votes: Michael Hibberd

In his first match for Melbourne, since joining from Essendon last October, the 27-year-old showed exactly why he was targeted by the club. Hibberd, in his first AFL game since round 22, 2015, and just his second match back from an Achilles injury (he played for Casey last round), was outstanding with 27 disposals, 13 intercepts and eight rebounds. He also kicked a fine running goal.

2 votes: Clayton Oliver

Oliver was again among Melbourne’s best – he had a game-high 19 contested possessions. He has now notched up 157 possessions this season at an average of 31.4 per match. Only Tom Mitchell, Zach Merrett, Adam Treloar, Andrew Gaff and Joel Selwood have had more disposals in the AFL. Remarkable for an 18-gamer and likely to be leading the club’s best and fairest after the first five rounds.

1 vote: Jayden Hunt

Keeps getting better and better. In his 24th AFL game, Hunt was one of Melbourne’s best, winning 24 disposals and displaying his trademark dash and flair (see, the headband didn’t hinder his game) on the big stage. No Demon had more metres gained (644) in the match than Hunt. He also had five inside 50s and four rebounds.

Submit your 3-2-1 votes to the Hertz Fans’ MVP

Apologies to …

Jack Watts, Christian Petracca and Nathan Jones, who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Both clubs, with the support of the AFL, produce such a brilliant marquee game on the AFL calendar. Already, after just three matches, the game has grown into something special – a total of 203,800 people have attended from 2015-17. The pre-match spectacle is fitting, moving and displayed in a dignified manner.

Oppo’s best: Jack Riewoldt

It’s hard to go past the Richmond vice-captain who played a blinder and ultimately kicked the match-winner at the 24-minute mark of the final term. Riewoldt booted the opening two goals of the match, and kicked the first major in three quarters, before finishing with six for the night. It was his best haul since round 13, 2015 against the Sydney Swans.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Michael Hibberd, with brother Geoff, receives his guernsey before his first Melbourne game 

Tweet of the round

Instagram of the round

One last word... #AFLTigersDees #RaiseHell

A post shared by Melbourne Football Club (@melbournefc) on

Video

In the mix

Injuries have again hit Melbourne, particularly its ruck stocks, with Jake Spencer (AC joint) set to miss the next six to seven weeks. His absence adds to the loss of Max Gawn (hamstring) for at least another 10 to 12 weeks. Second-gamer Tim Smith (rib/punctured lung) is also set to miss after being taken to hospital during the match. Christian Petracca suffered a knock to the knee and will be monitored. In terms of tall options, Cam Pedersen looms as the most likely, given young ruck Mitch King played his first match in a year with Casey on the weekend. He impressed upon return, but it would be a massive ask. Jordan Lewis is available, after a three-match suspension, and should return. Tom Bugg played a ripper for Casey, winning 35 disposals and kicking five goals. He has also put himself right in contention.

Next round

For the third time in six rounds, Melbourne returns to Etihad Stadium, where it started the season with a fine win over St Kilda, before going down to the Cats in round three. This time, the Demons take on Essendon, which defeated Collingwood on ANZAC Day. The Dees and Dons are coming off a short week and it will be fascinating to see how that plays out. Melbourne has lost its past two encounters against Essendon and the red and blue will be hellbent to end that streak, but more pertinently bounce back after three consecutive losses.

In the press box …

Which journo was attempting to take a pic of the moving pre-match spectacle on their iPhone, when another journo lent right in from of him, totally oblivious to being in the way of the shot?

Saw in the rooms ...

A shattered group of players as they came down the race post-match. Player/coach performance manager Brendan McCartney encouraged the players to keep their heads up, before they went into their meeting. Soon after, Christian Petracca sat against a wall, with head in his hand, after giving his all. Jack Watts, too, sat upright, and stared into space after another strong performance. Nearby was Jayden Hunt, who stretched on a foam roller. He still managed to share a lighter moment, with Nev Jetta’s daughter, when she came up with another foam roller and wanted to play. Hunt embraced the moment and quickly put it in perspective by having a foam roller sword fight, bringing a smile to the little one and those around them. 

Song to sum up match

Two Men Down – James Blake

Simon Says …

“It’s a tough balance as a coach. You sit here and you’re so proud of the way they played, and the way they fought, and the way they scrapped and the way they gave everything they had for a large part of that game. But I reckon when you become a really good team you actually find a way to get the result you need. And we're not at that point yet.” – Simon Goodwin