Unlikely spark Daniel Turner kicked three objectives to assist Melbourne to a 43-point win over Richmond and hold the Demons firmly within the AFL top-four race.
Richmond will await information on the severity of a left hamstring damage to midfield gun Jacob Hopper, who had solely simply returned from knee surgical procedure, suffered within the 13.7 (85) to five.12 (42) defeat on the MCG.
Melbourne struggled to shake off the tenacious, decimated Tigers earlier than Turner, used as a defender in his earlier three video games, made his mark throughout the second and third quarters together with his first three AFL objectives.
Each groups left loads to be desired skills-wise in a scrappy affair within the Anzac Day eve match in entrance of 72,840 followers.
Hopper is ready for an additional stint on the sidelines after leaving the sector in misery, kicking a water bottle on the bench earlier than heading straight down the tunnel.
The midfielder had felt for his hamstring earlier however waved away medical employees and performed on, solely to tug up sore when handballing mere minutes later.
He was changed by wingman Kamdyn McIntosh.
Jake Lever (15 intercepts, 26 disposals) and Steven Could (12 marks) have been usually prolific in organising Melbourne from defence.
For Richmond, Maurice Rioli Jr (two objectives) impressed, whereas Hopper racked up loads of the ball earlier than his exit.
Marlion Pickett utilized a tough tag to Christian Petracca whereas Toby Nankervis had an entertaining ruck duel with Max Gawn, who was named greatest on floor.
Melbourne obtained off to the right begin when Jacob van Rooyen goaled contained in the opening minute.
However the first half was an in any other case scratchy affair with each groups struggling to hit targets or rating.
Pickett may come beneath match assessment officer scrutiny for hitting Clayton Oliver within the abdomen, inflicting the star Demon to drop to the turf simply earlier than quarter-time.
Richmond led by some extent at halftime however firstly of the third time period Gawn took an important contested mark and goaled to revive Melbourne’s lead and kick off a run of 4 consecutive majors that broke the sport open.
That included two to Turner, nicknamed ‘Disco’, who celebrated every of his majors with aplomb.
Richmond hit again by means of Maurice Rioli Jnr however a catastrophic turnover simply earlier than three-quarter time allowed Caleb Windsor to nudge Melbourne’s lead again out to 22 factors.
The Demons kicked away within the ultimate time period to maneuver to 5-2 and sneak inside the highest 4 forward of the remainder of the spherical’s video games.
Melbourne face Geelong on the MCG subsequent Saturday whereas Seventeenth-placed Richmond (1-6) host Fremantle subsequent Sunday.
AAP