The final score was 18.13 (121) to 6.5 (41) and the result means the Tigers won eight of their last 11 matches of the year.
The match was even early and Richmond only grabbed a slender four-point quarter-time lead after booting the last goal of the opening term.
But by half time they had virtually ended the contest with a six goal to one second term which gave them a 38-point lead.
Melbourne's only goal for the second quarter came via ruckman Jeff White 14 minutes in. It was to take until the time-on period of the third quarter until the Dees added another.
At the height of the carnage, Richmond kicked 10 of 11 goals between late in the first term and late in the third.
The three-quarter time margin was 54 points and the Tigers went on with the job in the final term.
Richmond had good players all over the field with Shane Tuck, Chris Newman, Brett Deledio and Joel Bowden perhaps the best of them.
But there were very few poor Tigers as they ended their season on a high. This win aside, the 2008 season must give Richmond supporters some heart.
For the first time in recent memory they have a young list which can grow and develop together. And it is not just midfielders, forwards Jack Riewoldt, Jay Schulz and Mitch Morton should be around a while as should their key defenders.
It was a triumphant day for departing Tiger Greg Tivendale but a disappointing end for Demon trio Adem Yze, Ben Holland and White in their last games for the club.
Melbourne's day never really got going and they also lost Colin Sylvia for part of the game with an ankle injury.
They were best served by Yze, Nathan Jones and Simon Buckley.
The Dees end the season in 16th position while the Tigers end in ninth spot. The only consolation for Melbourne was the improvement of their extremely young brigade over the season and the prospect of finding some more rich talent in the upcoming NAB AFL National Draft.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.
DETAILS
Melbourne 2.1 3.1 4.4 6.5 (41)
Richmond 2.5 8.9 12.10 18.13 (121)
GOALS
Melbourne: White 2, Green, Holland, Sylvia, Whelan
Richmond: Deledio 4, Bowden 3, Jackson 2, Riewoldt 2, Connors, Foley, McMahon, Morton, Tivendale, Tuck, White
BEST
Melbourne: Yze, Whelan, Bruce, Warnock, Garland
Richmond: Bowden, Tuck, Newman, Deledio, Foley, McGuane, Johnson, McMahon
REPORTS
Melbourne: Miller for wrestling Morton (Rich) in the second quarter by umpire Wenn.
Richmond: Morton for wrestling Miller (Melb) in the second quarter by umpire Wenn
INJURIES
Richmond: Connors replaced Pattison in selected side
Melbourne: Sylvia (ankle), Petterd (hamstring)
Umpires: Margetts, Ryan, Ellis
Official crowd: 37,046 at MCG
