MELBOURNE fought back from adisappointing first half, but the start given to Richmond was too great, the Demons goingdown to the Tigers by 49 points.
Richmond’s18.16 (124) to 11.9 (75) victory could have been much worse for the Demons as the Tigers barrelled their way to a 64-point lead at half-time.
That was little consolation for a Melbourne side that started as favouritesafter the Queen’s Birthday win over Collingwood.
A third-quarter revival spearheaded by tall forwards BenHolland and Paul Johnson was the only period of control for Melbourne, when they crept to within 40 points on the back of a 6.2 to 2.4 term.
But in all reality, Melbourne was on the backfoot from the start as Richmondhit the ground running and racked up its best first-quarter score for the year.
With David Neitz a late withdrawal due to a finger injury,Melbournerestructured its attack and had Adem Yze lining up in the forward pocket withRussell Robertson at full-forward.
That rejigged forward set-up was starved of opportunities, the Demons unable to win clearances early in the game. Midfield engine Brock McLean was well-held by Shane Tuck,and Richmondwas able to move the ball into attack with ease.
Melbourne’sdefence looked sluggish against the nimble Tiger forwards, with Nathan Brown, who first saw off Daniel Bell and then was on top of Clint Bizzell, enjoying a wonderful return to football.
Until the latter part of thequarter the Demons were still in touch despite playing poorly but suddenly a seven-point deficit blew out when Chris Hyde kicked two goals inside a minute, thesecond coming from a terrible Melbournedefensive lapse when he was left alone at centre half-forward and was given theball from the centre bounce.
In his return game Byron Pickett was trying hard and BradGreen won his share of the ball but Richmondheld the ascendancy everywhere.
Melbourne’swoes looked like getting even worse when Russell Robertson copped a knock tothe knee, but he battled on in the absence of his skipper.
Ben Holland was having a tough night on Matthew Richardsonand was only saved further embarrassment by the Tiger missing a couple ofsimple shots. But when Richardsongoaled twice from free kicks the Tigers had built a 44-point lead half-way throughthe term, which looked unassailable.
As rain set in just before half-time itseemed that Melbourne’s task would be even harder and when Brett Deledio andShane Tuck slotted goals in time-on the game looked over as the shell-shockedDemons trudged off with a 64-point deficit hanging over them.
Melbournehad to make a quick and powerful surge to have any chance in the third quarterand it came with Ben Holland starting them off with a goal. That was followed by a snapfrom Aaron Davey and a nice goal from Paul Johnson and all of a suddeen the Demons looked a chance to cause a massive boilover.
Nathan Brown punctuated the run, but Melbourne was showing belated spark andintensity that had been absent in the first hour.
Further goals to Holland and MatthewBate gave them more of a sniff, and with Jeff White controlling the ruckand Cameron Bruce coming into the game, Melbourne were on the charge.
Greg Tivendale halted the red and blue run, however the unfashionable Hollandbooted his third goal for the quarter to keep the flame flickering for the Demons.
That was extinguished quickly after the re-start following a first-minute goal to Matthew Richardson.
The Demons battled away in an even last quarter, but the damage had already been done.
MELBOURNE 2.2 2.4 8.6 11.9 (75)
GOALS - Richmond: N Brown 3, M Richardson 3, KPettifer 3, G Tivendale 3, B Deledio 2, C Hyde 2, K Johnson, S Tuck. Melbourne: BHolland 3, A Davey 2, N Jones, B McLean, M Bate, P Johnson, R Petterd, RRobertson.
BEST - Richmond: S Tuck, N Foley, G Tivendale, JBowden, M Richardson, G Polak. Melbourne: J White, A Davey, B Holland, B Green, CSylvia, M Bate.
UMPIRES: C Donlon, M James, BRosebury.
CROWD: 46,161 at theMCG.
INJURIES - Richmond: D Polo (shoulder- replaced in selected side by G Tivendale), A Krakouer (calf). Melbourne: DNeitz (finger - replaced in selected side by A Yze), A Yze (groin), B Holland(nose).
