Dom Tyson proves the first-round draft pick Melbourne gave up for him was worth it, influential in win over Richmond at MCG

FEW trade moves are met with the apprehension that greeted Melbourne when it made one of the bravest calls in footy last October.

FEW trade moves are met with the apprehension that greeted Melbourne when it made one of the bravest calls in footy last October.

To be fair, only the most ardent footy boffins knew much about Dom Tyson, when the Demons made the near unthinkable move and forked over pick No. 2 for a youngster with a gammy knee from Greater Western Sydney.

DETERMINED DEES SPOIL TIGERS’ DAY

But as the 20-year-old danced around Steve Morris to goal from 55m near the boundary line yesterday, putting a lick of cream on a swathe of grunt work inside the stoppages, no Melbourne fan gave two hoots about the man they missed out on, Josh Kelly.

With Melbourne leading by eight points at three quarter-time against Richmond, Tyson was best afield and the Demons’ faithful had goose bumps they haven’t experienced since Liam Jurrah was taking hangers in 2010.

Tyson marks in front of Nick Vlastuin. He finished with two goals and 23 possessions.

After much suffering in recent years, the Dees’ faithful are excited by a new breed in Jack Viney, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Chris Salem and, if he counts, Jack Watts, after taking a personal best 11 marks.

Viney has been the talk of the town for the past few weeks for his bump against Adelaide but credit to his father, Todd, for pushing the button on the Tyson deal that has been largely mocked in parts up until about a month ago. Now the trade moves to bring in Tyson, Daniel Cross and Bernie Vince look inspired.

Melbourne chiefs have avoided the big statements and empty promises of the past but one thing was clear yesterday. This club has officially turned a massive corner nine games into Paul Roos’ tenure. Demons fans enjoy coming to the footy again, for the first time in a long time.

As impressive as Lynden Dunn, Cameron Pedersen and Jeremy Howe were across half-back and the spread of goalkickers were in attack, it was Tyson who set this club en route to a watershed win against the Tigers.

Tyson also had six inside 50s.

For a head-over-the-ball player, Tyson has a coolness and classy edge to his game that earned the inside midfielder comparisons to Simon Black in his draft year, before the nasty knee injury struck.

The added bonus, in terms of that trade deal, was that the man the Demons picked at No. 9, Salem, also continued to look comfortable at the level.

We know about his powerful left peg and smoothness in traffic but his chase-down of Bachar Houli in the third term was perhaps even more rousing.

The game plan may be dour and defensive as Roos’ teams tend to be. But who can complain when Pedersen and Chris Dawes notch eight tackles each. That was a team-high number from two of the biggest blokes on the ground.

Whatever you think of their style, you cannot question the progress it has helped deliver or the confidence that has replaced the feel of desolation at AAMI Park.

Melbourne has beaten Carlton, Adelaide and former finals fancy, Richmond. Three handy sides, or so we thought at the start of the season.

The heat is definitely on, after the 17-point win at the MCG.

For a change, it’s not Melbourne copping the grilling.