UNTRIED Richmond big man Noah Balta has leapt into contention for the Tigers' back-up ruck role after a stunning performance in a 12-point win over Melbourne in the JLT Community Series clash at Shepparton on Sunday.
With Shaun Grigg (knee) in doubt for round one, the Tigers deployed their No.1 ruckman Toby Nankervis (three goals) forward early to allow developing talls Balta and Ivan Soldo to audition for the second ruck role – and although Soldo was solid, Balta certainly lived up to his name.
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The athletic second-year player, 19, produced a superb second term in which he amassed eight possessions, hauled in several strong marks and showed great composure to slot two goals to help drag a 28-point deficit back to level pegging by half time.
The Tigers' tall trio overwhelmed Demon recruit Braydon Preuss, the ex-Kangaroo who assumed the No.1 mantle in the absence of the rested Max Gawn, as the Tigers held on to win, 16.17 (113) to 16.5 (101).
To cap a disappointing afternoon for Melbourne, forward Jeff Garlett looks set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a right shoulder injury in the third term.
Both premiership aspirants were well short of their full-strength line-ups, particularly the Demons, but it didn't seem to bother Simon Goodwin's men in the early going.
The game started in a sweltering 38ºC, with misting fans working overtime on the respective benches, and the footy was hot too with Melbourne applying enormous pressure and moving the ball quickly to pile on seven of eight goals and lead by the best part of five goals early in the second term.
The Tigers then awoke from their slumber to rattle on nine of the next 10 goals in the most decisive burst of the contest.
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was well held early by James Harmes but broke free to kick two goals and create others with his powerful contested work.
Tiger hearts were in their mouths in the second quarter when Martin landed awkwardly after an aerial contest and clutched his right knee, but he allayed fears by getting to his feet and delivering a sizzling pass just seconds later.
Melbourne came home hard with four successive goals to reduce the margin to just seven points late, when better conversion from Richmond would have sealed the game earlier.
Gun Demon on-baller Clayton Oliver, on a limited preparation following post-season surgery on both shoulders, was rusty early but improved dramatically as the game wore on, while fellow midfielder Angus Brayshaw also had the ball on a string and received good support from the likes of Christian Salem and Bayley Fritsch.
Tiger defender Bachar Houli was back to his rebounding best in combination with Jayden Short and Oleg Markov, while Daniel Rioli was brilliant at times in attack.
Melbourne spearhead Tom McDonald (two goals) had little influence in his return from minor knee surgery, while emerging star Christian Petracca started strongly before fading.
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WHAT WE LEARNED
Richmond: It's not Nank-or-bust for the Tigers. As we count down to round one, Richmond is trying to identify its best big-man support for Toby Nankervis, and they have two likely types in the frame if makeshift option Shaun Grigg (knee) isn't available. Noah Balta was a standout with a huge second term and also impressed as a mobile marking target in attack, while Ivan Soldo was more than handy against Melbourne recruit Braydon Preuss.
Melbourne: The Demons' midfield is so good it doesn't necessarily need Max Gawn's silver service to be damaging. Despite All Australian ruckman Gawn being rested and Preuss only performing adequately as his replacement, dynamic duo Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver dominated around the stoppages and were a key reason they scored five goals from centre clearances.
NEW FACES
Richmond: Former Gold Coast and St Kilda defensive forward Mav Weller put in a promising performance in his first formal game for the Tigers with 14 possessions, nine marks, five tackles and 1.1. Top draftee Riley Collier-Dawkins had six possessions and will be better for the run while fellow draftee Jack Ross was quickly into the fray and finished with 21 possessions (11 contested) and five clearances in an assured effort.
Melbourne: Ex-Kangaroos ruckman Braydon Preuss took the ruck responsibility while Gawn rested, and lowered his colours against Richmond's big men. Former North Melbourne player Corey Wagner showed a good turn of speed and kicked a goal. Former Collingwood VFL player Marty Hore didn't look out of place in the back half and neither did fellow mature-age recruit Declan Keilty. Draftees James Jordon and Tom Sparrow did some nice things in the forward half from limited opportunities.
NEXT UP
Both teams face six-day breaks before their second and final JLT Community Series fixture, with Melbourne to host Brisbane at Casey Fields at 4.10pm on Saturday, while the Tigers will travel to Launceston's UTAS Stadium to take on Hawthorn from 7.10pm.
RICHMOND 3.4 8.8 13.15 16.17 (113)
MELBOURNE 7.2 9.2 11.3 16.5 (101)
GOALS
Richmond: Nankervis 3, Riewoldt 2, Martin 2, Balta 2, Baker 2, Higgins, Short, Ellis, Rioli, Weller
Melbourne: T.McDonald 2, Weideman 2, Smith 2, Stretch, Petracca, Garlett, Fritsch, Harmes, Maynard, Wagner, Kennedy-Harris, Oliver, Neal-Bullen
BEST
Richmond: Houli, Balta, Martin, Short, Lambert, Higgins, Rioli
Melbourne: Brayshaw, Oliver, Salem, Fritsch, Harmes, Petracca
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Melbourne: Garlett (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Whetton, Hay, Meredith
Official crowd: 5190 at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton
