SUMMARY
Richmond's season is slipping away, and at 1-3, the Tigers are a long way from where they thought they would be after the first month of football. Seeking a win to get its season back on track, Ivan Maric is set to return to the Richmond side following a lingering back concern. The Demons will be no easy-beats as they proved against Collingwood last week. However, Melbourne has not won back-to-back matches since the middle of 2011 and it again proves as a potential stumbling block. But the return of Bernie Vince from suspension and Jeff Garlett from an ankle complaint, plus an increased belief amongst the team, gives Melbourne momentum heading into Sunday night's game.
Damien Hardwick's team will be feeling the heat when it takes on Melbourne. Picture: AFL Media
Where and When: MCG, Sunday, April 24, 7.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2015, Melbourne 12.11 (83) d Richmond 6.15 (51) at the MCG
R9, 2014, Melbourne 14.7 (91) d Richmond 9.20 (74) at the MCG
R8, 2013, Richmond 15.16 (106) d Melbourne 11.6 (72) at the MCG
R15, 2012, Richmond 13.23 (101) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at the MCG
R3, 2012, Richmond 20.13 (133) d Melbourne 11.8 (74) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. This is the second time in three seasons the Tigers have started a season 1-3. Melbourne will be looking to go 3-2 for the first time since 2011 when it won three of its first six games, including one draw.
2. The Demons are the most accurate team in the AFL, converting 58 goals and 32 behinds to be operating at 59.8 per cent.
3. Melbourne has averaged 95 points per game in 2016, a major increase from the 71 it averaged in 2015.
4. Richmond is ranked last in the AFL for contested possessions (126.5 per game). Melbourne is ranked equal fifth with 147.5 per game.
5. Richmond holds a clear overall advantage against Melbourne, winning 103 games to 81, with two draws.
6. Powerful Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver places fourth out of all the competition's first-year players (behind Marcus Adams, Darcy Parish and Jacob Weitering) in the Schick AFL Player Ratings.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Damien Hardwick. The Tigers coach, who recently re-signed until the end of 2018, is under the pump with his team slumping to 13th on the ladder. Richmond was in a similar position this time last year and the microscope will be squarely fixed on Hardwick if his side fails to get over the top of Melbourne.
PREDICTION: Melbourne by 24 points
