Few predicted the Melbourne Demons to be challenging for finals after an offseason exodus, but they are in the mix early in the season after a 54-point win over Richmond on Friday night.
After a moving pre-game observance for the traditional ANZAC Day Eve clash, the Tigers put up a serious fight in the first half to challenge Melbourne.
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But the Dees turned it on in the second half with Kozzie Pickett scoring four goals to go with 27 disposals to steer Melbourne to their fifth win from as many games at the MCG this season.
The victory takes Melbourne to a 5-2 record and the Demons sit fourth on the ladder heading into the weekend.
Earlier, star Richmond defender Jayden Short was a late withdrawal from the game, pulling out of the clash less than two hours before the match to be with his wife Maddy, who went into labour.
The couple got engaged in 2023, married in January last year and announced they were expecting their first child late last year.
The Tigers confirmed two-time premiership player Short had been ruled out of the game due to personal reasons and he was replaced in the line-up by James Trezise.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote on X: “The club has wanted to give some centre bounce chances to (Sam) Grlj but with (Sam) Banks and now Short out and Cumming debuting it won’t be this week..”
A pre-game commemoration observance will be held before every AFL and NRL game this weekend, prompting some discussion over the formalities should only be held on ANZAC Day itself.
In a moving pre-game ceremony at the MCG on Friday, the cauldron was lit by Captain Jeremy Smith before the New Zealand and Australian anthems were played, and The Ode and The Last Post were heard.
Richmond and Melbourne together ran through a banner that read “Lest We Forget”.
“A stirring ceremony. Stories and images of sacrifice and service honouring the generations that established the national character and elevated our way of life,” Gerard Whateley said on Fox Footy’s coverage.
“Against that backdrop, these two teams come together to do honour to it all. An elevated stage if ever there was one, for the playing of our national game.
“A perfect precursor to what’s to come tomorrow.”
The inexperienced Tigers side got off to a flyer before the Demons clicked into gear during the second quarter to hit the lead.
The Demons led 10.5 (65) to 7.2 (44) at halftime, seeking their fifth win of the season.
Originally published as AFL ANZAC Day Eve: Dees Richmond star pulls out to be with wife