An inaccurate Melbourne have extended their AFL winning streak to 13, with a third-quarter blast enough to down Richmond by 22 points in their Anzac Day Eve clash at the MCG.
A week after slamming through 10 third-term goals to blow away GWS, the Demons again found top-gear after half-time to overturn a nine-point deficit and take a 21-point lead into the final change.
The 9.22 (76) to 8.6 (54) result ensured the reigning premiers skipped to 6-0 this season and haven't lost since round-19 against the Western Bulldogs last year.
Even missing premiership stars Jake Lever and Jack Viney (coronavirus protocols), the Demons proved far too strong for Richmond, who slump to 2-4.
The Tigers, who were coming off a shock loss to Adelaide, came out firing with fierce pressure around the ball as Liam Baker's goal late in the second quarter gave them a surprise half-time lead.
But the weight of numbers, 64 inside-50s to 42, eventually overwhelmed the Tigers as Demons forwards Sam Weideman (three goals) and Bayley Fritsch (two) combined nicely.
Richmond converting their chances early kept them in the match as Melbourne's score was 3.13 before finding their groove with five third-quarter goals.
Christian Petracca had a quieter game, but fellow Demons superstar Clayton Oliver stepped up to earn best-on-ground honours with 41 possessions, 22 of them contested.
Even without All-Australian Lever, the Demons' stingy back-six, led by Steven May, made Richmond work for every point to continue their run as the AFL's best defensive team.
Richmond's top performers were defenders Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short and midfielder Jack Graham
The Tigers lost Thomson Dow (thigh) in the third quarter and the young midfielder was subbed out for Matt Parker.
Richmond have just five days to regroup before playing struggling West Coast at Perth Stadium on Friday night, while the Demons will return to the MCG next Saturday for a twilight clash with Hawthorn.
Bailey lights up Q-Clash as Lions cruise past Suns
A career-best six-goal haul by Brisbane's Zac Bailey has lifted the Lions to a seventh-straight AFL Queensland derby win, defeating Gold Coast by 52-points at Carrara Stadium.
Bailey was the stand-out performer for the Lions who moved to 5-1 thanks to the 21.6 (132) to 11.14 (80) win over the Suns on Sunday.
The 22-year-old kicked two goals apiece in the opening two terms including a magical piece of crumbing in the second quarter where he scooped up a wet footy in his right hand before snapping home on the run in almost the same motion.
When Bailey kicked his fifth goal early in the third quarter, the Lions had opened up a comfortable lead to continue a dominance over the neighbours extending back to 2018.
Bailey's sixth in the final term equalled the record for goals in a Queensland derby, matching previous efforts by Ash McGrath, Charlie Dixon and Charlie Cameron, with the livewire claiming the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best on ground after the match.
Having been held to just three touches in the opening half, Cameron made his own impression on the match with four goals while tall forward Joe Daniher had three majors.
Former Sun Jarryd Lyons once again had a day out against his former club, ending the game with 852 metres gained from 30 possessions, 13 clearances and 10 tackles.
Fellow midfielder Hugh McCluggage had 22 disposals and nine tackles in a strong display, while Lincoln McCarthy celebrated his 100th AFL match with a fourth-quarter goal and 22 touches.
Gold Coast, who are now 2-4, fought hard but were undone by some inaccurate finishing in front of goal.
Despite those misses, Nick Holman and recruit Levi Casboult kicked three majors each for the Suns in positive efforts.
Ben Ainsworth (22 disposals, one goal and three goal assists) was among the home team's best, while Noah Anderson (33 disposals) and Matt Rowell (24 disposals, 13 clearances) were also busy.
Brisbane youngster Kai Lohmann's second AFL game ended prematurely when he limped off in the second quarter with an ankle injury after falling awkwardly in a Lachie Weller tackle.
Both teams are on the road next weekend, with Gold Coast taking on Collingwood at the MCG while Brisbane travel to face the Sydney Swans.
Cats make light work of Roos in 10-goal win
A ground-record seven goals from Jeremy Cameron has helped Geelong to a thumping 60-point AFL victory over North Melbourne at Bellerive Oval.
The Cats were relentless around the ball, bouncing back from a shock Easter Monday loss to Hawthorn with a 17.19 (121) to 9.7 (61) result on Sunday afternoon.
Cameron picked up three of his majors in a blistering second quarter, including one on the run from a tight angle.
The 29-year-old nailed a set shot in the final term to surpass the previous record for most goals in a game at the Hobart venue.
Cameron had a chance for an eighth major in the dying stages but missed a more-than-gettable opportunity.
Teenage Geelong debutant Ollie Dempsey, who gave up basketball a few years to return to the footy field, had several silky handballs in the lead up to goals.
The 19-year-old, picked up by the club at No.15 in the 2021 rookie draft, capped a first game to remember by snapping a maiden goal early in the third quarter.
Tom Hawkins got in on the action with four goals, while five other Cats also registered majors in front of an 8663-strong crowd.
The top five possession winners for the match were from Geelong, with Zach Tuohy (33) topping the count.
The Cats move to 4-2 for the season, while the Kangaroos have been left languishing at the foot of the ladder with just one win to their name.
They've conceded 74 goals in their past four matches.
Geelong looked the better side from the opening bounce - only their errant kicking prevented a 25-8 lead at the end of the first quarter from blowing out further.
The Cats put on four majors to one in the second term before the floodgates opened further in a six-goal third quarter.
The Kangaroos salvaged something in the final term, outscoring the Cats five goals to four, with youngster Paul Curtis slotting a goal in his AFL debut.
North Melbourne next meet Carlton at Docklands Stadium on Saturday, while Geelong host Fremantle.
