As it happened: Dees touch up Tigers with telling second half ...

Daniel Turner would not have been high up the list of game-breakers for the Demons, but when his team needed a spark, the 22-year-old was the unlikely firestarter.

Turner booted two of his three goals in the third term, giving the Dees much-needed breathing space against the dogged Tigers, who were admirable in defeat.

It speaks volumes of the Dees’ woes in attack that a player recruited from a mid-season rookie draft (in 2021) as a defender should be needed to play such a role at the other end of the ground.

Daniel Turner celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty

Their entries inside 50 were horrendous in the first half, every bit as bad as they were late last year when their quest for a second flag in three seasons was cruelled by an impotent forward line.

Take this for a sample from the second term. From a free kick in the centre square, Christian Petracca held the ball to allow Richmond to set up defensively then dumped it long and high, asking Max Gawn to outmark the entire Tigers defence.

The Demons would have worked all summer on improving what coaches now call the “connection piece” centre forward but on the evidence so far they are not making deep inroads.

If they are to be the contender they should be this year, they need to fix it quickly.

As dejected as Richmond fans will be with a 1-6 record, they should not have left the MCG without hope. Their side put up a considerable fight only to be overwhelmed by a far more experienced side still with their premiership window wide open.

At times like this, supporters of rebuilding clubs need to look for glimpses from their youngsters.

Maurice Rioli has taken a step forward this year. He appears to be fitter and capable of sustaining his bursts for longer. When he is near the ball, good things happen for the Tigers. He booted two goals with his 14 possessions and laid four tackles.

Mykelti Lefau is a competitor. He was not daunted in his short stints in the ruck against Max Gawn, and hit the ground balls hard. He is worth more investment in by Adem Yze.

Thomson Dow held his own in the midfield. With the Tigers’ best onballers injured, Dow will get his chance this season to prove he is up to the level.

There is no respite on the injury front for the Tigers, who look set to be without another of their starting midfielders for the next few weeks.

Already without Tim Taranto and Dion Prestia, the Tigers have lost Jacob Hopper to a hamstring injury sustained in the third quarter. Returning from a knee injury, Hopper cut a dejected figure as he left the field. He was subbed out moments later.

Jacob Hopper tackled by Max Gawn.Credit: Getty

At his best, Hopper is a tough clearance winner, but he has not had a decent run at it since leaving Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2022.

In the past three seasons, he has played just 26 of a possible 52 games.

That’s us done for tonight.

Thanks for joining us for the first game of Anzac Appeal round.

We’ll see you tomorrow for the big blockbuster clash between Essendon and Collingwood.

G’night!

Daniel Turner celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty

It could be better than first feared for Jacob Hopper, who was subbed out of the game late with a hamstring concern.

Tigers coach Adem Yze said they are hopeful it’s just a minor issue.

“It is one of the first games he has played with tape on his knee. We originally thought it was something to do with the tape,” said Yze.

“Whether the tape was too tight, things like that. And he hasn’t hurt his hammy before so he tried to stay out there and run it out.

“I don’t think he has made it any worse but, yes, I think the into account he had a taped knee made it a little bit uncomfortable.

Jacob Hopper tackled by Max Gawn.Credit: Getty

“Disappointing for the guy because he put a power of work in, trained really hard, made sure that he was ready to play.

“To be fair, he was pretty important for us early... Just feel sorry for him. Hopefully, it’s not a bad one. Yes, I think it is just a minor tweak.

“I felt like we were dominating but we weren’t executing final touches of the game,” Clayton Oliver told Channel Seven about what changed between the first and second half.

“We talked about that. Looked at the stats at half-time. We had a fair bit of forward half football and turnovers in our area, so we were working on that execution.”

Clayton Oliver of the Demons.Credit: Getty

The midfield star paid credit to his defender teammates, Jake Level, Steven May and Trent Rivers, who were all “unbelievable”.

Melbourne played three games in 15 games before the bye, and Oliver said the week off was time needed.

“The boys were tired and it probably showed against Brisbane,” said Oliver.

“Not really an excuse but we didn’t play too well[ against the Lions]. Had time off we needed.”

21-year-old Daniel ‘Disco’ Turner, who came into Melbourne originally as a defender, got the attention of the footy world tonight.

The youngster had three goals, more than any other player, and enjoyed the heck out of every one of them.

Stalwart Demons defender Steven May said he was very much for his teammate.

“I know he played well in the VFL and down back and up forward and I thought he might be coming into the ones and maybe T Mac [Tom McDonald] comes forward,” May told Channel Seven.

“The coaches weren’t sure. They had such a long prep for the game. They thought they would try him up there. Glad he got a goal early and gave us contest.

“He was leading up, taking marks. Gee, he was giving the celebrations a bit... He started getting me up.”

Daniel Turner celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty

Daniel Turner would not have been high up the list of game-breakers for the Demons, but when his team needed a spark, the 22-year-old was the unlikely firestarter.

Turner booted two of his three goals in the third term, giving the Dees much-needed breathing space against the dogged Tigers, who were admirable in defeat.

It speaks volumes of the Dees’ woes in attack that a player recruited from a mid-season rookie draft (in 2021) as a defender should be needed to play such a role at the other end of the ground.

Daniel Turner celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty

Their entries inside 50 were horrendous in the first half, every bit as bad as they were late last year when their quest for a second flag in three seasons was cruelled by an impotent forward line.

Take this for a sample from the second term. From a free kick in the centre square, Christian Petracca held the ball to allow Richmond to set up defensively then dumped it long and high, asking Max Gawn to outmark the entire Tigers defence.

The Demons would have worked all summer on improving what coaches now call the “connection piece” centre forward but on the evidence so far they are not making deep inroads.

If they are to be the contender they should be this year, they need to fix it quickly.

As dejected as Richmond fans will be with a 1-6 record, they should not have left the MCG without hope. Their side put up a considerable fight only to be overwhelmed by a far more experienced side still with their premiership window wide open.

At times like this, supporters of rebuilding clubs need to look for glimpses from their youngsters.

Maurice Rioli has taken a step forward this year. He appears to be fitter and capable of sustaining his bursts for longer. When he is near the ball, good things happen for the Tigers. He booted two goals with his 14 possessions and laid four tackles.

Mykelti Lefau is a competitor. He was not daunted in his short stints in the ruck against Max Gawn, and hit the ground balls hard. He is worth more investment in by Adem Yze.

Thomson Dow held his own in the midfield. With the Tigers’ best onballers injured, Dow will get his chance this season to prove he is up to the level.

There is no respite on the injury front for the Tigers, who look set to be without another of their starting midfielders for the next few weeks.

Already without Tim Taranto and Dion Prestia, the Tigers have lost Jacob Hopper to a hamstring injury sustained in the third quarter. Returning from a knee injury, Hopper cut a dejected figure as he left the field. He was subbed out moments later.

Jacob Hopper tackled by Max Gawn.Credit: Getty

At his best, Hopper is a tough clearance winner, but he has not had a decent run at it since leaving Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2022.

In the past three seasons, he has played just 26 of a possible 52 games.

And that’s it, Melbourne are leaving the MCG with the four points in their back pocket.

It sends them to the top-four, and with a healthy percentage boost after blowing out the game in the second half.

Melbourne defeat Richmond 13.7 (85) to 5.12 (42).

Melbourne celebrate a goal.Credit: Getty

After a low-scoring first half, the Demons have blown out this game in the second.

Christian Petracca kicked their 10th goal (to two) this second half with a huge drop punt set shot.

Melbourne by 44.