They might not have won but the Demons were streets better than last week against the Suns. They had a much talked about 38 tackles that match; a mark eclipsed in Sunday's third quarter on their way to 67 (to the Tigers' 65) for the afternoon. Chris Dawes improved from his Melbourne debut - managing three leading marks for his two goals and presenting as the target the Dees need. There were also a few forgettable incidents, namely a forward line stuff-up in the second quarter that saw Jeremy Howe and Neville Jetta nearly run into each other in an attempt to mark a pass from Aaron Davey that ended in a turnover and Richmond goal. Despite the setback, Melbourne hung in there – a quality that has deserted them too often this season.
2. Support from the enemy camp
The Demons entered the game under enormous pressure following their 60-point capitulation to Gold Coast, but they fronted it knowing they had the support of their MCG co-tenant. Richmond president Gary March told guests at the club's pre-game function the Tigers had empathy for their embattled opponents, having gone through lean times themselves. "It's a tough job being a president when things aren't going well on the field and particularly tough when you're sitting [in the stands] on the back on a number of hidings," March said. "I remember sitting there on the back of being 20 goals down at half-time against Geelong … you think there's no way forward." March's support for Melbourne president Don McLardy, who was at the function, was also apparent. "Good people always rise to the top and Don McLardy is one of the great people involved in AFL football," he said. "Under his leadership I've got no doubt that there will be good times ahead."
3. And backing from the rehab group
Melbourne forward Mitch Clark, who is sidelined after surgery on his right foot, also threw his hat in the ring for coach Mark Neeld. Despite expressing some surprise over Neeld's Saturday comments that restoring the club would be a five-year job, he said he supported the coach and his direction. "I'll back 'Neeldy' in ... he's such a positive guy and works so hard to get this club back to where we want it to be," Clark told 3AW. "I'm in it for the long haul and I'll be there trying to fast-track the younger guys as well." The former Brisbane Lion said his foot, which had a screw removed from it late last month, was "feeling pretty good" and he would up the ante on his rehab on Monday having progressed to walking in the altitude room on a treadmill. However, he emphasised his recovery would not be rushed.
4. Electric Ellis … and his new competition
Before Sunday's game, second-year defender Brandon Ellis had a career-high 25 disposals (against Fremantle in round five). Against Melbourne, he racked up 39. The 19-year-old has been tracking impressively since his game against Fremantle, with 18 disposals against Geelong and 23 against Port Adelaide. The official AFL Player Ratings might not have him starring – he's ranked 391st overall, as the 111th defender and 25th at Richmond – but he is trending upwards and will continue to do so if he holds his current form. While Ellis was the club's shining junior last year, the Tigers' newest first-round draft pick, Nick Vlastuin, has strong claims on the title in 2013. Vlastuin, in his fourth game and fresh from winning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, had 25 disposals with 89 per cent kicking efficiency. Afterwards, coach Damien Hardwick said they had both impressed, not only this week but in the games they've played this season. "Both those boys look like they've been playing AFL footy for a long time and that's why our recruiting department picked them up," Hardwick said. "The thing we really like about [Vlastuin] is his flexibility. He's capable of playing half back, up forward, on the wing. We're really pleased with the way he's going."
5. Just getting the job done
It was a game the Tigers simply had to win after arresting a three-game losing streak last week against Port Adelaide in slightly surprising circumstances, given the players they had missing. With tough asks against Essendon and West Coast in Perth rounding out their first half of the season before their bye in two weeks' time, it was four points they dearly needed. Without taking anything away from the Demons, who were more resilient and team orientated than they've been in a while, the Tigers really didn't reach any great heights in their performance until they pushed away in the fourth quarter to kick four of the last five goals.
