Despite the loss, under-siege Melbourne side show plenty of fight.
Richmond held their spot in the AFL’s top eight with a hard-fought 34-point win against the under-siege Melbourne at the MCG.
Second-year player Brandon Ellis had a career-best 39 possessions to spark the Tigers who improved their win-loss record to 5-3 with a 15.16 (106) to 11.6 (72) victory
Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin kicked three goals each for the Tigers who were only 22 points ahead at three-quarter time and kicked three goals to Melbourne’s one in the final term.
Aaron Davey (three goals) and James Magner were solid performers for the Demons who lost their seventh game for the season but showed some fight for coach Mark Neeld.
Almost every player on the field was involved in a push-and-shove contest moments after the halftime siren which appeared to be sparked by Richmond defender Alex Rance.
Riewoldt’s shot at goal bounced through on the siren as the Tigers completed a five-goal third term to lead by 22 points at the final change.
Jeremy Howe, who won last year’s mark-of-the-year award, could be set to claim another title after a spectacular grab over teammate Lynden Dunn in a rare highlight for the Demons in the final quarter.
Jimmy Toumpas limped off the field in the second term for Melbourne with a suspected ankle injury.
Richmond will host Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night and Melbourne travel to Perth to play Fremantle next Sunday.
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