Harrison Petty celebrates a goal during the match between Richmond and Melbourne at the MCG in round 20, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

HARRISON Petty and Jacob van Rooyen have had career-best days in attack with a combined 10 goals to propel Melbourne to a runaway 32-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Demons, who twice fell 20 points behind after half-time, edged closer to a top-two spot with their 20.10 (130) to 15.8 (98) victory in a classic contest.

TIGERS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats

Former defender Petty (six goals), young gun van Rooyen (four), and veteran Jake Melksham (four) fired as the key targets in an attacking mix that gave Simon Goodwin food for thought as he ponders axed recruit Brodie Grundy's future role in the side.

02:17

Petty party as six-goal show uncovers new weapon

Melbourne's decision to start Harrison Petty as a forward pays off beyond belief with a stunning return of six majors

One of Melksham's majors included the goal that marked the sixth lead change in a see-sawing contest to put the Demons in front for the final time midway through the last quarter.

They finished far stronger than Richmond, kicking the last six goals of the game to post their highest score since round seven and settle a gripping battle in front of 52,294 fans.

Melbourne's Jack Viney (32 disposals, seven clearances), Christian Petracca (29, eight) and Max Gawn (28, 11) were outstanding.

08:33

Highlights: Richmond v Melbourne

The Tigers and Demons clash in round 20

Captain Gawn, who also had 40 hitouts and 22 contested possessions, was particularly influential when the game was on the line in the last quarter.

The Demons remain in fourth spot on the ladder but moved closer to the top three after Collingwood, Port Adelaide and Brisbane all lost in round 20.

OPINION
Nine things we learned: Slick Saints do have another gear after all

Richmond would have climbed into the top eight if it had won but was left kicking itself after letting its lead slip.

Tim Taranto (24 disposals), Jacob Hopper (23) and Shai Bolton (25) all fought hard in a losing battle, while Tigers superstar Dustin Martin kicked 3.2 from 21 disposals and had 11 score involvements.

00:38

Hopper hops past host of Demons before Rioli's ripper

Jacob Hopper and Daniel Rioli run rings around Melbourne's defence to complete this stunning major

Martin booted two majors in the third quarter, including one from the centre square, as Richmond surged ahead in slippery conditions.

They looked likely winners when Martin's long-range shot sailed through at the six-minute mark of the third term, but the lead had evaporated by three-quarter time.

ANALYSIS
The run home: Giants surge, Bombers fall as race for top two heats up

The Demons kicked five of the next six goals and added another 6.4 to 2.0 in the final term.

Noah Balta's goal 10 minutes into the last quarter had put Richmond in front but they were no match for Melbourne when it mattered most.

07:27

The 10: Round 20's best moments

Watch the best highlights from an entertaining round

Petty finds the ball - and the big sticks - at will
Have the Demons finally found what they've been looking for in attack? Judging by Harrison Petty's output up forward, the answer could be a 'yes'. The swingman, who played much of his career as a backman, showed his versatility as he booted a career-best six goals. But it wasn't only the goals that put Petty in the spotlight, with the 23-year-old also taking a game-high 10 marks (including four contested) and had nine score involvements in a dominant showing that is sure to please coach Simon Goodwin on the eve of finals.

00:51

Petty producing the goods in new forward role

Harrison Petty notches a quick double in the first term after starting the game as a forward

Coulthard keeps it cool
Talk about immediate impact ... Tigers sub Matt Coulthard, playing in just his second game after being taken by the club in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, came on to the ground in the third quarter and within his first minute, had calmly snapped an impressive goal - his first at AFL level. The Tigers shared the love up forward, with 11 individual goalkickers contributing in the disappointing loss.

01:06

Coulthard's cool first goal raises noise level

Matthew Coulthard makes an immediate impact after being activated as the sub by notching his first ever major in the AFL

Dusty is looking ominous as Tigers push for finals
Martin was looking dangerous throughout the nail-biting match, but he was particularly influential up forward for the Tigers in a high-scoring affair. Not only did he kick a team-high three goals, he had a 11 score involvements (another team high) from his 21 disposals.

00:32

Vintage Dusty lights up MCG with powerful major

Dustin Martin continues to create havoc in the middle of the ground with this superb goal on the burst

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:47

    Tigers turn it on early with three in no time

    After conceding the first major of the game, Richmond responds in the best possible fashion with a hat-trick of goals in quick succession

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Petty producing the goods in new forward role

    Harrison Petty notches a quick double in the first term after starting the game as a forward

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Selfless Dees pounce on sloppy Tigers through van Rooyen

    Melbourne takes full advantage of this Richmond blunder to work the footy towards Jacob van Rooyen

    AFL
  • 00:36

    Baker serves up sweet candy in sumptuous goal

    Liam Baker sells the dummy to his opponent before finishing with class

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Hopper hops past host of Demons before Rioli's ripper

    Jacob Hopper and Daniel Rioli run rings around Melbourne's defence to complete this stunning major

    AFL
  • 00:32

    Vintage Dusty lights up MCG with powerful major

    Dustin Martin continues to create havoc in the middle of the ground with this superb goal on the burst

    AFL
  • 00:42

    Petty catching fire as hanger brings another goal

    Harrison Petty continues to flourish in his new forward role with his fourth major of the game

    AFL
  • 01:06

    Coulthard's cool first goal raises noise level

    Matthew Coulthard makes an immediate impact after being activated as the sub by notching his first ever major in the AFL

    AFL
  • 02:17

    Petty party as six-goal show uncovers new weapon

    Melbourne's decision to start Harrison Petty as a forward pays off beyond belief with a stunning return of six majors

    AFL
  • 08:33

    Highlights: Richmond v Melbourne

    The Tigers and Demons clash in round 20

    AFL
  • 06:28

    Full post-match, R20: Demons

    Watch Melbourne's press conference after round 20's match against Richmond

    AFL
  • 06:24

    Full post-match, R20: Tigers

    Watch Richmond's press conference after round 20's match against Melbourne

    AFL
  • 14:09

    Mini-Match: Richmond v Melbourne

    Extended highlights of the Tigers and Demons clash in round 20

    AFL

RICHMOND      5.4    9.7    13.8   15.8 (98)
MELBOURNE    3.5    8.5    14.6   20.10 (130) 

GOALS
Richmond: Martin 3, Baker 2, McIntosh 2, Balta, Bolton, Coulthard, Prestia, Riewoldt, Rioli, Soldo, Taranto
Melbourne: Petty 6, Melksham 4, van Rooyen 4, Pickett 2, Chandler, Hunter, Neal-Bullen, Petracca

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Taranto, Prestia, Baker
Melbourne: Petty, Gawn, Viney, Melksham, van Rooyen, Rivers

INJURIES
Richmond: None
Melbourne: None

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Matthew Coulthard (replaced Ben Miller in the third quarter)
Melbourne: Joel Smith (replaced Adam Tomlinson in the third quarter)

Crowd: 52,294 at the MCG