In the lead up to the clash against the Dees, Tony Greenberg takes a look back at the history between the two sides. . .

• Richmond and Melbourne have played 180 times with the Tigers winning 99, losing 79 and two draws.
• Richmond last defeated Melbourne in Round 18, 2009 at the MCG - 12.14 (86) to 12.10 (82).
• Richmond has lost four of its past five games against Melbourne.
• Richmond and Melbourne have met in two league finals with the Tigers winning one and losing one.
• Richmond and Melbourne have met in one Grand Final, in 1940, which the Demons won by 39 points - 15.17 (107) to 10.8 (68).
• Richmond’s best winning sequence against Melbourne is nine, from 1965-70 and 1971-75.
• Richmond’s longest losing sequence against Melbourne is seven, from 1961-65.
• Richmond’s highest score against Melbourne is 30.16 (196) in Round 2, 1942 at Punt Road.
• Richmond’s lowest score against Melbourne is 1.6 (12) in Round 10, 1908 at the MCG.
• Richmond’s greatest winning margin against Melbourne is 93 points in Round 9, 1980 at the MCG.
• Richmond’s greatest losing margin against Melbourne is 121 points in Round 21, 1993 at the MCG.
• The most goals kicked by a Richmond player in a match against Melbourne is nine by Michael Roach in Round 20, 1980 at the MCG.
• Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd against Melbourne is 76,387 in Round 22, 1998 at the MCG.
• Some Demons-turned-Tigers:  Steve O’Dwyer, Simon Eishold, Haydn Robins, Jon Howat, Chris Sullivan, Troy Simmonds (via Fremantle), Brad Miller.

Richmond v Melbourne the last five
Round 14, 2011 at the MCG

Richmond 3.5 7.5 10.9 13.13  (91)
Melbourne 7.1 12.4 14.14 17.16  (118)

Goals - Richmond:  Vickery 3, Farmer 2, Newman 2, Deledio, Edwards, Foley, Grigg, Martin, Riewoldt.

Leading possession-getters - Richmond:  Foley 27, Houli 27, Deledio 26, Nahas 23, Edwards 22, Newman 20.

Goals - Melbourne:  Green 3, Trengove 3, Watts 3, Jones 2, Jurrah 2, Martin 2, Howe, Sylvia.

Leading possession-getters - Melbourne:  Moloney 30, Scully 26, Jones 24, Gysberts 22, McKenzie 21. 

Round 19, 2010 at the MCG

Richmond 2.5 7.6 9.9 11.14  (80)
Melbourne 3.1 7.5 10.10 16.13  (109)

Goals - Richmond:  Cousins 2, Graham 2, King 2, Morton 2, White 2, Riewoldt.

Leading possession-getters - Richmond:  Jackson 32, Cousins 26, Newman 25, Connors 23, Morton 23, Moore 20.

Goals - Melbourne:  Dunn 5, Jurrah 4, Green 3, Jamar, Jones, Watts, Wonaeamirri.

Leading possession-getters - Melbourne:  Bruce 25, Jones 25, Scully 25, Davey 24, Sylvia 21, McDonald 19.

Round 4, 2010 at the MCG

Richmond 5.2 7.7 7.9 11.12  (78)
Melbourne 8.1 8.7 15.11 20.13  (133)

Goals - Richmond:  Astbury 3, Riewoldt 3, Morton, Nason, Tambling, Taylor, Tuck.

Leading possession-getters - Richmond:  Tuck 31, Deledio 27, Collins 20, Cotchin 19, Jackson 19.

Goals - Melbourne:  Sylvia 5, Green 4, Bate 3, Bail 2, Petterd 2, Bartram, Dunn, Jamar, McDonald.

Leading possession-getters - Melbourne:  Moloney 37, McDonald 30, Bruce 29, Jones 27, Scully 26, Green 24, McKenzie 22, Davey 21.

Round 18, 2009 at the MCG

Richmond 1.5 4.8 7.10 12.14  (86)
Melbourne 2.0 4.3 8.7 12.10  (82)

Goals - Richmond:  Brown 3, Deledio 2, Morton 2, Hislop, McMahon, Nahas, Riewoldt, Vickery.

Leading possession-getters - Richmond:  Cousins 27, Deledio 24, McMahon 23, Jackson 22, Tambling 22, Brown 21, King 20, Morton 20, Newman 20.

Goals - Melbourne:  Dunn 2, Miller 2, Petterd 2, Bate, Davey, Grimes, Jetta, Jones, Newton.

Leading possession-getters - Melbourne:  McDonald 28, Bruce 25, Petterd 25, Bate 23, Grimes 20, Jones 20. 

Round 4, 2009 v Melbourne at the MCG

Richmond 2.3 5.6 9.7 13.14  (92)
Melbourne 2.6 10.7 13.11 14.16  (100)

Goals - Richmond:  Richardson 4, Brown 2, Collins 2, Deledio, McGuane, Moore, Morton, Nahas.

Leading possession-getters - Richmond:  Bowden 44, Foley 32, McMahon 28, Tuck 25, Deledio 23, Polo 23, Jackson 20.

Goals - Melbourne:  Miller 3, Newton 2, Petterd 2, Sylvia 2, Bate, Davey, Dunn, Green, Jetta.

Leading possession-getters - Melbourne:  Davey 25, Bruce 24, McLean 23, Bartram 20, Morton 20, Sylvia 19.