Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons: Tigers by two goals

Match result:

Richmond defeated Melbourne by two goals at Deakin Reserve in both clubs’ first hitout of the preseason.

The Tigers were dominant after halftime, with the scoreboard not properly reflecting the one-sided nature of the contest.

Melbourne entered the game with at least seven best-22 players unavailable, while Richmond managed its players throughout the game and often played Toby Nankervis and Dustin Martin out of position.

It was another tick for the ‘6-6-6’ formation, resulting in many inside 50s and another high-scoring game, adding onto the pattern of the JLT Series.

Richmond was able to maintain its style of play from the previous two years even with the new rules, and look certain to be contenders in 2019.

Bachar Houli racked up 35 disposals off half-back, while the other leading ball-winners were defenders as well – Jayden Short (29 disposals) and Nathan Broad (21 disposals).

The two standouts for Richmond, however, were young guns Jack Higgins (21 disposals, eight marks, one goal) and Noah Balta (18 disposals, six marks, seven hitouts, two goals), with the latter seemingly ready to make his senior debut.

For the Demons, it was a familiar sign statistically, with Angus Brayshaw and Clayton Oliver combining for 69 disposals.

Both teams will be better for the hitouts, with Melbourne likely heading into JLT2 with a stronger squad, while Richmond may rest its star players.

Final score
Richmond Tigers 16.17 (113)
Melbourne Demons 16.5 (101)

Match preview:

The Richmond Tigers take on the Melbourne Demons on a scorching day at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton. Join The Roar from 4:40pm AEDT for live coverage of a ripping contest.

Two teams expected to challenge for the 2019 premiership will put on a show fans willing to fight the heat at Deakin Reserve, with both clubs naming relatively strong squads.

Richmond will be introducing three new faces on Sunday afternoon, with draftees Riley Collier-Dawkins and Jack Ross to feature, while former Sun and Saint Mav Weller will have a presence in attack.

Key players Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance will all participate in Shepparton, but their workload is likely to be managed given the oppressive conditions in Victoria.

The Demons have gone with a more exploratory squad as they seek to unearth a couple of rookies who can have an impact from Round 1 of the Premiership season.

Draftees James Jordon, Marty Hore and Tom Sparrow, as well as ex-‘Roos Brayden Preuss and Corey Wagner, will all feature in the red and blue for the first time, while Tom McDonald leads the team into this contest.

Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd, Neville Jetta, Jack Viney and Nathan Jones are among the stars missing for the Demons, the first three being named as emergencies.

If intra-club matches are anything to go by, neither team will be taking a backwards step here as both teams look to build match fitness as quickly as possible.

With the heat policy in full force on Sunday afternoon, players will be able to rest and recharge to have a greater crack in heated moments.

This will be the first time seeing Richmond play under the new 6-6-6 structure, with many having concerns about the club’s effectiveness using these rules – Champion Data found the Tigers to have used this formation the least by far in recent seasons.

Sunday’s contest is sure to provide some entertainment for viewers and looks to be the best JLT match of the day.