Demons stamp premiership claims with win over Tigers

Such was Melbourne’s ferocity it would have mattered little if Martin had been fully fit as they had contributions from Petracca and his fellow midfielders Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and James Jordon.

Their wingman Angus Brayshaw and Ed Langdon were excellent too, with Langdon an expert at creating overlap run while ruckman Max Gawn was indefatigable.

Gawn’s example early was crucial, as he stood in the hole in front of Tom Lynch and took the punishment, dusted himself off and then outworked Toby Nankervis around the ground.

The most impressive aspect of the win was that Richmond – who lost Kane Lambert with a calf injury in the third quarter – weren’t lacking effort.

Melbourne’s Nathan Jones played his 300th game.Credit:Getty Images

It was just that Melbourne were able to move the ball in waves to reach the most impressive forward on the ground in Tom McDonald, who kicked back-to-back goals in the second quarter when the game was hot.

That ability to run in waves is due to their belief in what lies behind the ball with Richmond’s surges coming up against brick walls in Lever’s marking and Christian Salem winning ground balls at will.

Steven May is an elite defender and showed great courage to return from an eye socket injury, beating Lynch in the one-on-one battles while Lever has become the player Melbourne recruited him to be.

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At the moment Alex Neal-Bullen is an underrated player, with his brilliant snap shot getting the Demons moving in the second quarter while Charlie Spargo has found the terrier role to his liking.

There were contributors all over the ground as the Demons celebrated one of their most decisive and impressive wins in their recent history in front of 56,418 spectators.

Richmond now face the prospect of a rampant Bulldogs on Friday night without Martin, who has rarely missed in his 250-game career, and Lambert, raising the question of whether the lure is in danger of being caught.

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Shai Bolton was their best player but the pressure they applied in the first quarter disappeared when Melbourne realised they could stand up to it and punch back.

BEST:Melbourne Petracca, Salem, Oliver, Gawn, Langdon, McDonald, May, HibberdRichmond Bolton, Baker, Edwards