Slick Tigers get the jump as Demons fade

Richmond sits atop the AFL ladder for the first time since 1995.

Dustin Martin looks to handpass against the Demons at the MCG last night. Picture: AAP.

Although Richmond are yet to recapture their stunning form of last September, the Tigers sit atop the table a month into their premiership defence after thrashing Melbourne 15.12 (102) to 8.8 (56) last night.

And that, in itself, is something to boast about, for it is the first time since round 12, 1995 that Richmond have been on top after a home-and-away round.

The Tigers’ solid start to the season continued when they were too strong for the disappointing Demons.

The season is not quite a quarter of the way through but, on the evidence to date, concerns of a premiership hangover have been allayed, perhaps surprisingly given the strength of the celebrations that followed the drought-breaking flag.

In an Anzac Day eve clash against rivals yet to live up to pre-season suggestions they would be challengers to the Tigers’ throne, Richmond weathered an early storm.

They seized control in the second term and then had an answer every time Melbourne threatened to challenge through the third quarter before running away to claim their 11th straight win on the MCG.

They are now outright favourites with gambling agencies to claim back-to-back premierships.

Kane Lambert was superb throughout and last season’s top draftee, Jack Higgins, again shone, but there was scarcely a Tiger who did not contribute.

It is not yet time for Melbourne to panic but there are significant concerns. The Demons sit 14th but are only one win out of the eight in what is shaping to be a particularly even season.

Should they manage to find a semblance of what was expected of them, the next month shapes as a period to make a stand in clashes against Essendon, St Kilda, the Gold Coast and Carlton.

But there is much to rectify. After the past fortnight, Melbourne fans must be wondering whether the hype surrounding their side is based on anything more than potential. From quarter-time in their round 4 clash against Hawthorn to halftime last night, the Demons managed just 3.13 (31). In contrast, their rivals booted 20.10 (130).

Last night at least Melbourne had opportunities but their efficiency in converting forward forays was abysmal.

Jake Melksham kicked the first goal of the night, showing poise from deep in the forward pocket. But that is one of the few examples of poise shown by the Demons until he managed to kick their second for the match just shy of halftime.

Inaccuracy and inefficiency cruelled Melbourne’s hopes of establishing an early advantage and effectively cost them a chance to gain any ascendancy.

To add insult to comparison, young Tiger Higgins booted three goals to halftime to take his career tally to five from eight kicks in six quarters. Now that is efficient.

Neither slippery conditions due to persistent rain prior to the match nor an opponent whose miserliness is due to a frenetic team-based defence made it easy to score.

Yet the Demons’ defence again conceded at least four goals in succession — a clear failure this season — twice last night to let the game slip away. If they are to challenge later in the year, they will need to rectify these issues.

One possibility in attack may be to leave Jesse Hogan forward more permanently, rather than using their star goal kicker as a bigger-bodied midfielder at times.

The two sides now have five days to recover for clashes against the Anzac Day combatants Essendon and Collingwood respectively.