Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Melbourne manager Simon Goodwin has lauded Max Gawn’s “extraordinary” effect after the uplifting captain led from the front in his team’s 20-point get over Richmond.
The Demons ‘ big guns all fired in a dominant six-goal third quarter that set the platform for a 12.11 (83 ) to 9.9 ( 63 ) triumph in front of 71, 635 fans at the MCG on Thursday night.
After last week breaking their bird for the year against Fremantle, Melbourne broke the game available when they dialled up their stress and suffocated their competitors after half-time.
The Demons ‘ fifth immediately win over Richmond- a lock that dates again to 2021- improved their record to 2-5 back of a clash with winless West Coast in circular eight.
Gawn was outside as he tallied 25 disposals, nine signs, six clearances and a few index involvements as the most influential person on the ground before being rested later in the suit.
” He’s really an extraordinary head and we’ve seen in the last two weeks after once he’s been able to drive the right stuff and lead the footy team very well”, Goodwin said of the 33-year-old.
” We do hope he keeps playing to this standard. That would be nice.
” He’s got enormous pride in his game and you’re seeing one of the best ever in the game go about his craft.
” What we’ve seen in the last few weeks is he’s just reminding everyone that there’s that little bit more left in him”.
Christian Petracca kicked two goals from 28 touches, Jake Bowey (32 disposals, five clearances ) continued his strong start to the season and Jack Viney ( 15 tackles ) worked tirelessly in opposition to Tim Taranto.
Tom Sparrow added 11 tackles as Melbourne won the overall count 72-42.
Following his sizzling display against the Dockers five days earlier, Kysaiah Pickett ( 18 disposals, one goal ) was well held by Nathan Broad in the first half but had an impact after the main break.
Melbourne, who led by just four points at half-time, delivered the fifth-best pressure rating of the last five years in the third quarter and overwhelmed the Tigers.
They kicked 6.3 to 1.2 for the term with Clayton Oliver ( 22 disposals, seven clearances ) also influential, gathering 13 possessions after managing just five in the first half.
The margin ballooned to 44 points during the final quarter before Richmond kicked the last four goals when Gawn was on the bench.
Tigers spearhead Tom Lynch kicked 3.3 from at least eight shots in an intriguing battle with former Gold Coast teammate Steven May.
Taranto kicked two goals from 22 touches, while Jacob Hopper ( 23 disposals ) and Thomson Dow ( 28 ) were among the major ball-winners for a Richmond outfit that was outplayed after half-time.
” In the third quarter our spirit and energy dropped, our communication dropped and we lost our way around stoppage, so we’ll learn from that”, coach Adem Yze said.
” As I’ve said all along, we’ll have some bumps along the road and there will be some quarters where we struggle.
” That was magnified today, but the response I thought in the last quarter was OK.”
Bayley Fritsch, Kade Chandler and Petty matched Petracca’s tally of two goals for Melbourne.
