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AFL Round seven live updates: Richmond vs Melbourne at the MCG ...

AFL Round seven live updates Richmond vs Melbourne at the MCG
Melbourne overrun Richmond late at the MCG to keep their winning streak going, but the news gets worse for Richmond with another injury to a key player. Follow live.

Melbourne has beaten Richmond by 43 points at the MCG on Anzac Day Eve as the Tigers' injury woes deepened again.

In front of a big crowd, the Demons kept within range of the top four, turning a low-scoring physical encounter into a comfortable victory.

Melbourne kicked 10 goals to two after half-time, with fourth-gamer Daniel Turner leading the way with three goals.

Richmond's loss took them to 1-5 for the season, and a year littered with injuries got worse with Jacob Hopper — who was playing his first game since round two — was subbed out in the third quarter, with a leg injury.

He looked emotional as he came from the ground.

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn received the 'Checker' Hughes Medal for best on ground.

Before the game, the traditional Anzac ceremony was impeccably observed, with Lieutenant Colonel Garth Callender lighting the Eternal Flame at the MCG before the Oath to the Fallen, the Last Post and the New Zealand and Australian anthems.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

Key events

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Anzac Eve Scoreboard

Gawn wins 'Checker' Hughes Medal

Melbourne captain Max Gawn takes out the Frank 'Checker' Hughes Medal after a best on ground performance.

Gawn finishes with 23 disposals, 10 marks and 26 hitouts to go along with a goal.

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FT: Demons outmuscle Tigers in second half

The siren sounds and it's a 43-point win for the Demons at the MCG!

They didn't have it all their own way tonight, and it wasn't a perfect performance, but they'll be happy with how they closed it out.

After going into half-time trailing by a point, Melbourne kicked 10 goals to two in the second half.

This is Richmond's lowest score against Melbourne since 1965, and they simply didn't have the firepower to compete once the Dees got up and running.

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Petracca adds to Tigers' pain

Christian Petracca gets a free kick inside 50 after being held onto by Pickett!

The Melbourne superstar goes back and slots the set shot from 40m out from directly in front.

Lead is out to 44 points for the Demons.

Five minutes to go

It's been a successful night in the end for the Dees as we wind down towards the final siren.

Harry Petty had a chance to get the lead over 40 points, but sprays a set shot out on the full.

Laurie doubles up

Bailey Laurie turning into a super-sub here for Melbourne!

A lovely dinked kick from Kozzie Pickett finds Laurie in the pocket and he snaps through his second for the quarter.

This is starting to get a little ugly now for the Tigers, it's out to 38 points.

Demons lead blowing out as Laurie goals

Richmond has fought hard all night, but you get the sense that their race is run here.

Melbourne's sub Bailey Laurie on the scoreboard now, and that's three in a row for the Demons in this quarter.

The Demons leading by 32 points with nine minutes to go.

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Brilliant Turner assist sets up Fristch goal

Daniel Turner is having some outing here!

Turner wins a massive contested ball on the 50m arc and then gives off a terrific handball to Bayley Fritsch, who snaps one through on his non-preferred right foot.

"He's pretty much been the match-winner in this second half," says Matthew Richardson of Turner on Seven's coverage.

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Demons sub activated

Caleb Windsor has been taken off the ground, with the Demons activating their sub for the night - Bailey Laurie.

Tigers strike first in final quarter

Richmond aren't done yet!

They've scrapped all night long, and they're not going to go quietly into the night.

A brilliant intercept on the wing from Nathan Broad before McIntosh found Bolton inside 50.

Bolton runs around and snaps truly from a tight angle.

Richmond's premiership stars inspiring them here.

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3QT: Nankervis' blunder cruels Tigers on siren

That is absolutely BRUTAL for Richmond.

They look to be in control of the ball in their back 50 inside the final few seconds of that quarter ... until Toby Nankervis turns it over by kicking it down the throat of Caleb Windsor.

The young wingman goes back and slots it after the siren to give the Dees a 23-point lead at the final change.

Melbourne had five forward-half intercepts in that quarter alone, kicking three majors from them.

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Hopper subbed out after injury

Richmond has subbed Jacob Hopper out after what looked to be a hamstring injury.

Kamdyn McIntosh coming on as the sub.

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Hobbled Hopper fuming after latest injury

Jacob Hopper is absolutely LIVID!

It's unclear exactly what he's done, we think it's a left hamstring injury.

He clutched behind his left leg after a chase a few minutes ago, but remained on the ground.

However, after visibly limping after that incident, he's now taken off the ground and kicked the bench in anger before he was taken down into the rooms for a further assessment.

We'll keep you updated when we know more.

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Tigers under siege after double-strike

It's well and truly the danger zone now for Richmond!

Kysaiah Pickett with a goal after the Tigers turn the ball over inside their defensive 50 and the lead is now out to 24 points.

Melbourne has 20 marks to Richmond's mark so far this quarter.

Pickett's goal came shortly after Turner kicked his third for the night.

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Turner gives Demons handy break

Take a bow, Daniel Turner!

After taking a brilliant diving mark, the youngster goes back and slots the set shot from 45m out on an acute angle.

That never looked like missing, and have a look at Turner's celebration!

Demons out to a 11-point lead.

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Gawn opens second half in style!

Oh captain, my captain!

Melbourne gets the first goal of the second half, and it's through their skipper Max Gawn.

Petracca was taking a long set shot, and Nathan Broad found himself stuck on Gawn on the goal line, and Gawn outmarks the Tigers defender before snapping through the set shot.

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Second half underway

We're off and running at the MCG yet again.

Let's hope we get some more goals in this half, eh?

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Melbourne's kicking in the mud

Melbourne getting absolutely shredded by the Fox Footy team at half-time. 

The Demons kicking at 61 per cent efficiency in that first half, and David King calls some of the kicking "frighteningly bad".

"Some of those kicks are easy kicks to eat, you shouldn't be missing them," Jason Dunstall adds.

First half stat check

Here are your top three ball-winners from a tightly contested first half.

Disposals

  1. 1.Jacob Hopper (Richmond) - 17
  2. 2.Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) - 15
  3. 3.Trent Rivers (Melbourne) - 12

Petracca locked up in Pickett tag

 Adem Yze has made the decision to tag Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca, and it's paid dividends in the first half.

The 2021 Norm Smith Medal winner was held to just 10 disposals in that first half, with Marlion Pickett shadowing him.

Pickett lost touch of Petracca in the lead-up to that Turner goal, and Petracca showed exactly how damaging he can be when let off the leash.

It's a controversial tactic, the tag, and Hawks icon Jason Dunstall says he'd do it every day of the week if he was in the coaches box.

"If I can tag their best player out of the game, I'm happy to play 17 vs 17 elsewhere," he says on Fox Footy.

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