Richmond has started its pre-season campaign with a 14-point loss to the Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
New recruit Sam Lloyd had a set-shot with two minutes to go to put the Tigers in front, but the score review system confirmed that it had hit the post. The Demons kicked the last two goals of the game to run away with the win.
Chris Newman kicked the Tigers’ first goal within a minute, where he started forward alongside Brett Deledio. The Tigers took a 10-point lead into the first change following a long super-goal by Ben Griffiths from 55 metres out, and a Deledio goal two minutes later.
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Dustin Martin started off half-back, where he ended up accumulating 21 disposals for the game to go with seven inside-50’s.
New recruit, Shaun Hampson, impressed with his work in the ruck. He had six disposals, two marks and 14 hitouts before being substituted out of the game.
Tyrone Vickery kicked two goals in the second quarter, including one from a very strong contested mark against James Frawley. Chris Newman then caught Nathan Jones holding the ball in the goal square to kick his second goal for the game. Rookie-listed, Anthony Miles, kicked his first goal in yellow and black from a quick snap in a clearance situation to help the Tigers take a five point lead into the long break.
The Tigers were held to one goal in the third quarter, coming from a silky goal on the run from Tyrone Vickery. The Demons led by five points heading into the final change.
Melbourne kicked the first goal of the final term following an interchange infringement, before the Tigers got two goals back through a Brett Deledio snap and a Jake Batchelor intercept mark and goal on the run.
From there, the Demons hit back with two more goals of their own to regain the lead. Miles won a clearance and kicked his second goal to keep the Tigers in it, but the Demons ran away with the game.
Miles was one of the Tigers’ best in his first game, winning 16 disposals (11 contested), eight clearances, four inside 50’s, and kicking two goals and two behinds.
Newman was dangerous up forward before he went off with a leg injury in the third quarter, with 12 disposals and two goals.
The Tigers will head to Wangaratta next Saturday to play Collingwood.
RICHMOND: 1.2.2 1.6.7 1.7.10 1.10.15 (84)
MELBOURNE: 0.1.7 1.5.8 1.8.9 1.3.11 (98)
SUPERGOALS:
Richmond: Ben Griffiths
Melbourne: Cameron Pedersen
GOALS:
Richmond: Vickery 3, Deledio 2, Newman 2, Miles 2, Batchelor
Melbourne: Howe 4, Kennedy-Harris 3, Bail 2, Spencer, Trengove, Blease, King
BEST:
Richmond: Martin, Miles, Deledio, Houli, Troy Chaplin, Nathan Foley
Melbourne: Frawley, Howe, Vince, Bail, Trengove, Dunn
