SUMMARY
Thanks to a healthy percentage boost from their 79-point win against the Brisbane Lions, the Tigers find themselves in fifth place and with an opportunity to start building momentum. With seven multiple goalkickers against the Lions, they've addressed a shortcoming from round two, but Melbourne will likely prove a more competitive opponent than the Lions on Friday night. The 12th-placed Demons (1-2) fell 25 points short of Adelaide in round three, but have shown significant improvement in the first three rounds. They have been much more competitive in the contest but will need to clean up their ball use to win on Friday night.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday, April 24, 7.50pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
THE SIX POINTS
1. When these sides last met, the Demons won the disposals, marks and hit-outs while the Tigers laid more tackles, took the ball inside 50 more and had eight more scoring shots.
2. The Tigers are the third ranked offensive team in 2015, kicking an average score of 102.6 points per game and kicking more than 100 points in two of their first three games.
3. Despite having played only three games, Demon Jesse Hogan is the number one contested marking player in 2015 with 10. His team has also been impressive with 12.7 per game.
4. These teams last played on a Friday night at the MCG in round 12, 2007. They have met 130 times at the ground, with Richmond holding the advantage 69-60 with one draw.
5. Melbourne has improved its scoring this season, lifting its average score to 75 points a game compared to 60 a game in 2014.
6. Tiger Shane Edwards moved into the top 50 of the Official AFL Player Ratings in round three. He is the Tigers' highest ranked player and No.49 in the AFL.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jack Watts. The Melbourne forward dropped two uncontested marks against the Crows in round three that cost his team dearly. With the Demons having kicked three goals to one in the first quarter, Watts fumbled a mark and Adelaide scored a goal as a direct result of the error. They scored another out of the resulting centre clearance, turning the game in their favour. Watts made a bright start to the season and will be looking to get back on track.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 21 points
