SIMON Goodwin said it best post-game: “When you look at the stat sheet, it’s the same.”
Melbourne’s Round 5 clash had certain similarities to the weekend prior, as the Demons fell by 27 points to the Tigers.
Here are some of the figures which helped shape the contest at the MCG.
Around the ground
One percenters:
Melbourne: 44 | Richmond: 32
Tackles inside 50:
Melbourne: 8 | Richmond: 4
Time in possession:
Melbourne: 39% | Richmond: 47%
Handballs:
Melbourne: 155 | Richmond: 155
Score from turnovers:
Melbourne: 7.3 | Richmond: 9.3
The Demons’ effort can’t be denied, but they were rushed with ball in hand and forced into turnovers which proved costly.
Going forward
Inside 50’s
Melbourne: 43 | Richmond: 39
Inside 50 efficiency:
Melbourne: 33% | Richmond: 59%
Marks inside 50:
Melbourne: 9 | Richmond: 13
It’s no secret this area has been Melbourne’s biggest weakness for the past 12 months, and it was a deficiency once again on Sunday.
That second quarter
Scores:
Melbourne: 0.1 | Richmond: 4.1
Tackles:
Melbourne: 81 | Richmond: 76
Inside 50s:
Melbourne: 9 | Richmond: 9
Tackles:
Melbourne: 12 | Richmond: 10
It was the term that changed the game, but there were no glaring differences on the stat sheet.
Melbourne had as many looks going forward and had ample opportunity with the ball, it just couldn’t hit the scoreboard and conceded in defence.
Individual efforts
Christian Petracca’s first quarter:
Disposals: 14 (season-high)
Michael Hibberd:
Intercept possessions: 8 (team-high)
Clayton Oliver:
Clearances: 8 (game-high)
James Harmes:
Inside 50s: 6 (game-high)
Steven May:
Metres gained: 475 (game-high)
