Robust Richmond midfielder, Daniel Jackson, believes yesterday’s 34-point victory over Melbourne at the MCG, is a reflection of the growing maturing within the playing group.

The Tigers went into the match as red-hot favourites, but were made to earn their win by a determined Demon outfit, who kept at them throughout.

“It was always going to be a tough game.  They’d been down for a while and they were always going to fight hard, and they did,” Jackson told ‘Roar Vision’ post-match.

“They brought it to us early and we just had to chip away . . .

“Look, I’m sure there are some frustrated fans . . . many people wanted us to win by 10 goals.  But, in the end, I think you’ve got to respect any opposition.

“We did that, we chipped away and a six-goal win, and four points, is a good achievement . . .

“In the past, our young, inexperienced side probably would have panicked, lacked a bit of composure with the ball, and been yelling at each other.  But it felt very calm out there. And, if we want to be a great side, that’s what we’ve got to do.

“We’re getting older, we’re learning, guys have played more games, we’re more mature, the leaders are stepping up, and it certainly felt like we were in control.”

Tiger eyes now turn to a blockbuster clash with Essendon in the annual “Dreamtime at the ‘G” fixture next Saturday night.

“Look, we’ve had a couple of big games this year that we haven’t quite played our best, so we’ll be really looking forward to this opportunity,” Jackson said.

“This has been a monster game for us the last few years and the closest thing we’ve come to finals.

“We’ve got some real momentum going, we’ve been playing some good footy, we’re working really hard at training and in the gym, and our young blokes are playing well.

“We’re looking forward to taking it to them.”