RICHMOND has shaken off a week of turmoil, and some terrible kicking for goal, to score a 23-point victory over Melbourne in an error-ridden game at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
Despite making seven changes to the team that lost to Adelaide last weekend, with Dustin Martin (club suspension), Jake King (knee), Daniel Jackson (suspension) and Dylan Grimes (hamstring) forced out of their side, the Tigers led all afternoon, winning 13.23 (101) to 11.12 (78).
Damien Harwick's men hit the ground running, grabbing a four-goal lead at the opening change.
The Demons then fought back to within 11 points during the second term, and they would have been closer if a wobbly kick from James Magner, which appeared to bounce through for a goal, had not been controversially ruled a behind after a video review.
During the early stages of the third quarter it seemed neither side wanted to win, as the teams racked up 18 clangers between them in the first 12 minutes.
But Richmond then kicked clear once more, extending its lead to 38 points at the final change, which proved a big enough buffer to withstand a late fightback from the Dees.
Robin Nahas booted four goals for the Tigers, while Jack Riewoldt, who had an entertaining battle with James Frawley, finished with 1.5 and one out on the full.
Trent Cotchin (27 possessions and eight tackles) and Shane Tuck (22 touches, nine tackles and a goal) were the leading performers in the midfield for the winners.
Fearless defender Steven Morris, who looked in trouble early on after suffering a knock to his shoulder, was another outstanding contributor.
However, wingman Matt White faces a nervous wait after delivering a high bump on Frawley late in the final quarter.
Melbourne's best players were midfielders Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia (both amassed 25 possessions, six tackles and a goal), defender Jack Watts and key forward Jared Rivers.
With Mitch Clark (foot) and Mark Jamar (calf) sidelined by injuries, the Demons' second-strong ruckmen, Jake Spencer and Stefan Martin, also battled manfully against Tigers giant Ivan Maric.
Richmond's seventh win of the season levels its win-loss record and keeps the Tigers in touch with the top eight.
And although they lost the equivalent game last year, the Tigers should register their eighth victory of 2012 when they host Gold Coast in Cairns next Saturday.
Melbourne remains 16th on the ladder. The Demons, who have won just two of their 14 games this year, play Fremantle at Etihad Stadium next Saturday.
MELBOURNE 1.0 4.4 5.6 11.12 (78)
RICHMOND 4.6 6.12 9.20 13.23 (101)
GOALS
Melbourne: Martin 2, Blease, Garland, Rivers, Jones, McKenzie, Bail, Tapscott, Bennell, Sylvia
Richmond: Nahas 4, Deledio 2, McGuane 2, Grigg, Riewoldt, White, Edwards, Tuck
BEST
Melbourne: Jones, Watts, Sylvia, Frawley, Howe, Rivers
Richmond: Cotchin, Morris, Grigg, Deledio, Tuck, Riewoldt, Maric, Nahas
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Richmond: Ben Griffiths (leg)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: James Magner replaced by Brent Moloney in the third quarter
Richmond: Ben Griffiths replaced by Addam Maric in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Wenn, Foot, Armstrong
Official crowd: 46,773 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
