Richmond get the opportunity to continue their move up the AFL ladder when they meet lowly Melbourne at the MCG this afternoon. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 3.20pm AEST.
It was Saturday June 25, 2011. 61,900 people flocked to the MCG that day to see ninth-placed Melbourne face Richmond, perched one spot below them on the ladder.
The teams (along with North Melbourne) were considered to be in the same stage of development and the match was billed as a season-defining test for both sides.
Melbourne took an early lead and comfortably held the Tigers at bay for the rest of the afternoon, eventually prevailing by 27 points to move into a top eight spot.
Finals loomed as a possibility that year and, as a team considered to be full of potential, a probability by 2013.
I’m sure you don’t need me to detail the painful litany of dramas and crises to befall the club since.
Recent displays have prompted club great David Schwarz to publicly utter the F word – Fitzroy – and today the question appears to be not ‘which team will win’, but how big the margin will be.
That said, the opponent today is Richmond – and if any side is capable of finding a slapstick way of losing to the Demons, it is them.
Both clubs have brought six players into their extended, 25-man squads.
Aaron Edwards has been named for his first match in Tiger colours and skipper Trent Cotchin returns from injury. Matt White, Tyrone Vickery, Matthew Arnot and Matt Dea are also in the squad.
Tigers Shane Tuck, Chris Knights and Ivan Maric have all been struck out by injury.
For Melbourne, Shannon Byrnes (wrist), Colin Sylvia (suspension) and, perhaps most crucially of all, Jack Viney (toe) all go out.
Captains return on both sides, with Jack Trengove named on a wing. The Dees’ other returnees are Mark Jamar, James Magner, Neville Jetta, Troy Davis and Jimmy Toumpas.
Be on The Roar from 3.20pm AEST for minute-by-minute updates.
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
So, Richmond run out 34 point winners. Melbourne made them work hard for it. You always felt like the Tigers could go up a gear or two, perhaps playing with one eye on their crucial match against Essendon next Saturday night. Teenagers Brandon Ellis (39 disposals) and Nick Vlaustin were highly impressive for the Tigers, with other stand outs including Cotchin, Houli, Edwards, Martin, Vickery and Deledio. Melbourne fans and staff will be encouraged by how their team hung in there, playing with an intensity and desire rarely seen this year. N Jones, Terlich and Magner were their leading ball winners, Chris Dawes gave them a focal point and the likes of Davey and Howe provided spark. It only gets harder for them now, however, with the names Fremantle (away), Collingwood and Hawthorn marked on the calendar. KEY STATS: Kicks - Richmond 243 Melbourne 170 Handballs - Richmond 132 Melbourne 100 Marks - Richmond 133 Melbourne 83 Tackles - Richmond 65 Melbourne 68 Hit Outs - Richmond 36 Melbourne 57 Inside 50s - Richmond 53 Melbourne 34 GOT ANY THOUGHTS? Please leave comments here on this page! There is still half a game remaining in round 8. Adelaide vs St Kilda can be followed here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/05/19/adelaide-crows-vs-st-kilda-afl-live-scores-blog-2/ Cheerio
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Full time ...and misses, with what turns out to be the last kick of the game. Richmond 15.16.106 Melbourne 11.6.72
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 27 minute mark A chain of play involving Trengove - who has enjoyed a return to form in this second half - ends with Luke Tapscott taking a shot which hits the post. At the other end, Jack Riewoldt takes a mark on the lead... Richmond 15.15.105 Melbourne 11.6.72
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 24 minute mark With seagulls invading the ground and less than four minutes game time remaining, motions are a-being gone through. Richmond 15.15.105 Melbourne 11.5.71
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 22 minute mark Michael Evans is on the end of a handball chain to kick an easy goal. For punters everywhere, the main interest now is the margin - over or under 39.5? Richmond 15.15.105 Melbourne 11.4.70
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 19 minute mark Jeremy Howe gives Melbourne fans something to cheer, taking his obligatory speckie. Richmond 15.15.105 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 17 minute mark Alex Rance, who has been solid, gets a spoil which results in another Tigers attack. Again, Melbourne hold them up well. Their persistence has been admirable. As I type that, Troy Chaplin kicks a goal - a real collectors item - and rightfully celebrates. Richmond 15.15.105 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 13 minute mark Teen Brandon Ellis racks up disposal number 34. 34! Richmond 14.15.99 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 11 minute mark Melbourne can hardly get their hands on the footy at the moment. Matt White gets on the end of a move to make the margin 35 - the biggest of the match. Richmond can pile on goals in a hurry and it's important the Dees don't let this margin escape the realms of respectability. Richmond 14.15.99 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 5 minute mark The Tigers' short-passing game is in full swing; Melbourne are struggling to win the ball back. Eventually, Dustin Martin roves well to kick his third goal of the half. Richmond 13.15.93 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 3 minute mark Trent Cotchin sneaks forward and wins a free kick. Without a goal to his name in 2013, he pushes the shot across the face. Richmond 12.15.87 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Three quarter time STATS DISPOSALS - Richmond 264 Melbourne 189 MARKS - Richmond 89 Melbourne 59 TACKLES - Richmond 48 Melbourne 48 INSIDE 50s - Richmond 37 Melbourne 28 Richmond 12.14.86 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Three quarter time That hurts. Richmond scrap the ball forward and, with just seconds left on the clock, Jack Riewoldt collects, turns and bounces through a goal - right on the siren. Mark Neeld has the appearance of a man who has just noticed a scratch down the side of his car. Psychologically, the difference between a margin of 16 and 22 must be sizeable. Do Melbourne have one last thrust in them? Richmond 12.14.86 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 29 minute mark You can still sense some niggle out there. To coin a cliche, Melbourne have come out to play this afternoon. Aaron Davey, who has been highly impressive, sets up a move which results in Dawes kicking a minor. Richmond 11.14.80 Melbourne 10.4.64
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 26 minute mark Jake King - with only 11 disposals but real influence on the game - kicks his second goal, this one on the run. From a tough angle, Jeremy Howe splits the middle at the other end! Richmond 11.14.80 Melbourne 10.3.63
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 23 minute mark For the second time this term, Martin takes a mark close to goal and converts. They needed that. Richmond 10.14.74 Melbourne 9.3.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 21 minute mark There's some intensity in the game at the moment. Jamar takes aim from a long way out and misses the lot. Richmond - minus the expereiced Chris Newman and Ivan Maric - really need to take a deep breath here and regain composure. Richmond 9.14.68 Melbourne 9.3.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 19 minute mark Substitute Bail roves well and snaps a goal. Plucky Melbourne will not go away! Richmond 9.14.68 Melbourne 9.3.57
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 18 minute mark A fluent move ends in the arms of Aaron Davey - who misses the set shot. Chris Dawes looks poised to step back out. Richmond 9.14.68 Melbourne 8.3.51
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q3 – 16 minute mark Chris Dawes has headed down the race with an unknown ailment. Luke McGuane, who barely featured today, has been subbed out. Matt White comes on Richmond to add some leg speed. Richmond 9.14.68 Melbourne 8.2.50