Richmond has suffered a disappointing 32-point Round 4 loss to Melbourne on Anzac Day eve at the MCG.
After an even first half, the Tigers were restricted to one second half goal, falling to a 2-2 record after the first four games.
In front of a healthy crowd of more than 58,000, Richmond won or neutralised the key statistical categories, but fell well short on the scoreboard.
The most glaring discrepancy was the inside 50s, which the Tigers won by 14 (57-43).
Shane Edwards was clearly Richmond’s best player in the loss. He collected 24 disposals, kicked two goals, won seven clearances and five tackles.
Anthony Miles toiled hard all night for his 25 possessions and seven clearances, while fellow midfielders Trent Cotchin (24 disposals) and Dustin Martin (23) won enough of the football.
Richmond started the game brightly, with Nathan Gordon on the end of the scoring chain in the first 90 seconds.
The Demons kicked the next three - two through Chris Dawes and another from Jesse Hogan - before recently upgraded Richmond rookie Matt Arnot slotted a running goal from the boundary.
Ben Griffiths, from six possessions and three marks in the opening term, booted the Tigers’ only other goal for the quarter.
The second term was one which produced few highlights, with errors from both sides a constant.
A strong Edwards tackle was rewarded with a set shot goal, to give the Tigers the lead in the opening stages, as the teams went goal-for-goal.
In a cruel twist for Richmond, with only a few minutes remaining in the half, first-gamer Nathan Drummond landed awkwardly as he flew for an aerial ball, and was stretchered off with a knee injury.
Rain greeted the players as they returned for the second half, and it was Melbourne which struck first through Jeff Garlett.
Richmond’s next three scoring opportunities were behinds, and they were made to pay with the Demons putting the next three goals on the board – from Nathan Jones, Angus Brayshaw and Garlett.
With 90 seconds of play remaining in the quarter, Edwards produced the Tigers’ highlight of the night – a gather from the centre ruck contest and running goal from inside the centre square.
Richmond went into three-quarter time 20 points in arrears, despite leading the inside 50 count 44-32.
After a nine-minute stalemate to start the final term, Vince killed off the contest with a set-shot from 40 metres out.
Richmond faces a stern test in Round 5, against Geelong.
FINAL SCORES
Richmond 3.5 5.9 6.13 6.15.51
Melbourne 4.2 6.5 10.9 12.11.83
GOALS
Richmond – Edwards 2, Gordon, Arnot, Griffiths, Hunt,
Melbourne – Dawes 2, Garlett 2, Hogan 2, Kennedy-Harris, Vandenberg, Watts, Jones, Brayshaw, Vince
BEST
Richmond – Edwards, Miles, Martin, Cotchin, Ellis, Grigg
