Melbourne sink Richmond to nine-year low in hard-fought Anzac eve clash

A team many predicted would be in the finals hunt have slumped to an almost ten-year low after being blown apart on Thursday.

MELBOURNE. 24/04/2023. AFL. Round 6. Melbourne vs Richmond at the MCG. Clayton Oliver of the Demons celebrates a goal after the 3\\4 time siren . Pic: Michael Klein

Melbourne have bounced back emphatically late on Monday night to take down a valiant Richmond outfit.

Entering the contest as overwhelming favourites, the Dees were mobbed in the opening half as the Tigers put them to the sword.

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Despite Richmond’s dominance on the contest they couldn’t pull far enough away as the Demons held on.

The Tigers went into the halftime break holding the 14-point advantage as footy fans watching on were left to question Melbourne's premiership credentials.

Those fears were put to bed in the second half as Melbourne finally found their groove and got into gear.

A four goal to two quarter was perfectly wrapped up when Clayton Oliver delivered on the three-quarter time siren to bring the margin back to within two points.

In the fourth quarter needing an answer in front of goal, it was rookie Jacob Van Rooyen who stood tall and delivered for the Dees.

The youngster rose above the pack to pull down a monster mark to get the ball rolling and he wasn’t done there.

Three contested marks inside 50 resulted in three fourth quarter goals as the Demons flexed their muscles to run away with the game.

We're going to have a lot of fun watching Jacob van Rooyen's career unfold.

Three goals in the final term to aid the Dees home 😈#AFLDeesTigerspic.twitter.com/oBI8mxbzww

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 24, 2023

The night before Anzac Day contest has become a key staple on the AFL calendar with Melbourne now saluting as the winners from the past three contests.

Richmond veteran Jack Riewoldt led the charge for his side in front of goal, slotting four goals with Noah Cumberland kicking three, all of which came in the opening quarter.

New recruit Tim Taranto did all he could through the middle of the ground, ending the contest with a game-high 33 disposals.

But it was a surging Demons that ran over the top of them in the second half with the midfield battle being flipped on its head.

Ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy put their stamp on the contest and fed star trio Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney.

The three combined for 88 disposals and 14 disposals with Viney being named the winner of the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes medal.

The Dees bounced back. Pic: Michael Klein

The win pushes Melbourne into second spot on the ladder, behind only St Kilda.

Unfortunately for the Tigers they slump to 16th on the ladder, making it the lowest spot they’ve found themselves in on the ladder at the end of a round since way back in round 14, 2014.

Riewoldt’s second goal for the night was the 400th of his career on the MCG, with the 34-year-old joining his former teammate Matthew Richardson (464) and Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd (461) in an elite club.

The crowd of 83,985 was the second largest of the seven Anzac Day Eve clashes, just shading the 85,657 who attended in 2017.

Maurice Rioli Jr limped off late in the final quarter with what appeared to be a hamstring injury in a further injury worry for the Tigers.

– with Ed Bourke, NCA Newswire