On the Anzac Day eve, Richmond had a huge come from behind victory over Melbourne. Monday night football is alive with a massive crowd of over 85,000 footy fans at the MCG. This was the biggest crowd ever for a match between the Tigers and Dees.
The contest was tight in the first half with Melbourne only able to have a goal advantage heading into the main break. That minor lead came at a huge cost, losing Jake Spencer (Shoulder Injury) and Timothy Smith (Ribs) who was rushed to hospital with a suspected lung collapse. Signs were that the Tigers would be able to run over the top of the Demons in the second Half.
in the third it looked like the Demons had found some serious spark scoring a huge 4.1 to Richmonds 1.5. Jeff Garlett showed some of his best. Garlett booted 2 goals for the quarter, one of which was on the run after some great clearance work by Clayton Oliver who seems to be taking that next step to become one of Melbourne’s bets midfielders. The Dees looked their lead out to 20 points at 3 Quarter time and the Tigers looked to have no answers.
Melbourne tried so hard to keep in front. With only two players left on the bench the Demons just couldn’t hold on. Jack Riewoldt was at his best up forward in the last, booting a couple of major’s. Dustin Martin also sprung into action, getting plenty of hands on the ball and also snagging a goal. The Tigers flew home in the last scoring 5.5 to the legless Demons 2 behinds.
Riewoldt was superb, scoring 6 goals (his highest goal total against the Dee’s) while the single goal scorers were Castagna, Butler, Grigg, Rioli, Martin And Caddy. Melbourne got their goals through Hogan 3, Garlett 2, McDonald, Watts, Petracca, Salem, Gibbered and Hunt. The final scores being Tigers 12.16 (88) to the Demons 11.9 (75).
Next up the Melbourne Demons will face Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Dees will have some high experience and leadership back in the squad with Jordan Lewis back from suspension. Melbourne will be needing a win to stay in contention with the bottom of the 8.
Richmond now sitting at 5-0 will also face a team at 5-0 in the Adelaide Crows for a Sunday twilight match. This will be the biggest game of the round. Can the Tigers continue their dream run? or will it show us that Adelaide really are contenders and not pretenders. Either way I’m sure every fan of Australian Rules Football will be tuning into this one.
Main Photo:
