Melbourne midfielder Kysaiah Pickett kicked four goals and had a game-high 29 disposals to help guide his Demons to a 54-point win over Richmond on Anzac Day Eve at the MCG.

Pickett’s goals came at important junctures of the game. 

Two came during a five goal run by the Demons leading into the half-time break. The other two came when Melbourne asserted its ascendency over Richmond late in the third quarter and early in the fourth.

Melbourne had 11 individual goal scorers, winning 19.12.126 to Richmond’s 11.6.72.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Tigers, whose list full of youth and a sprinkle of experience, took it up to the higher placed Demons for all but the final quarter when the sting had come from the game.

First-gamer Sam Cumming looked right at home at the highest level kicking a goal on debut whilst Mykelti Lefau took another step in the right direction as a key forward kicking two goals. Patrick Retschko, in just his second game, had 26 disposals and 503 metres gained, while stand-in captain Jack Ross had 27 disposals.

Despite showing signs of improvement on Friday night, the Tigers remain winless for the season.

Richmond, who looked to walk a little taller with Tom Lynch back in the line-up, kicked two of the first three goals of the match and led at times during the second term.

But the more experienced Demons were able to produce a level of composure and class that allowed them to lift in patches, whilst the Tigers made unforced errors that came with inexperience.

Pickett was awarded the Frank 'Checker' Hughes Medal for best on ground.

Balta the ruck bolter
Max Gawn went to take the first centre bounce, he found himself lining up against an unexpected opponent. Swingman Noah Balta made himself even more versatile when he spent a large portion of the game in the ruck, where he challenged the eight-time All-Australian Gawn. Balta won the first three centre bounce clearances as the Tigers got out to a hot start kicking two of the first three goals.

RICHMOND   3.1   7.2   10.5   11.6 (72)
MELBOURNE   4.4   10.5   13.9   19.12 (126)

GOALS
Richmond: Lefau 2, Campbell 2, Faull, Green, Cumming, Ralphsmith, McAuliffe, Lynch, Lalor
Melbourne: K.Pickett 4, Mihocek 3, Jefferson 2, Windsor 2, Fritsch 2, Chandler, Sparrow, Sharp, Laurie, Langford, Gawn

BEST
Richmond: Prestia, Ross, Brown, Lefau, Retschko
Melbourne: K.Pickett, Windsor, Sparrow, Steele, Howes

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Melbourne: Culley (knee)

LATE CHANGES
Richmond: Jayden Short (personal reasons) replaced in selected side by James Trezise
Melbourne: Nil

Crowd: 67,364 at the MCG