WITH its season fast slipping away, Richmond is desperate for a win, and it will have added incentive as the club honours legendary coach Tom Hafey, who passed away on Monday. With four losses from their last five games, the Tigers need to find the formula that took them to September last season. Nobody is expecting Melbourne to play finals this year, but the Demons have impressed with gritty performances over the past fortnight. They pushed the Western Bulldogs in round eight but eventually fell 16 points short.



WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday May 17, 1.40pm  

TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide  

LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2013, Richmond 15.16 (106) d Melbourne 11.6 (72) at the MCG
R15, 2012, Richmond 13.23 (101) d Melbourne 11.12 (78) at the MCG
R3, 2012, Richmond 20.13 (133) d Melbourne 11.8 (74) at the MCG
R22, 2011, Richmond 17.15 (117) d Melbourne 17.8 (110) at the MCG
R14, 2011, Melbourne 17.16 (118) d Richmond 13.13 (91) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS
1. When the Tigers comfortably defeated the Demons in 2013 they had 105 more disposals, 50 more marks, 14 more scoring shots and 19 more inside 50s.

2. The Tigers and Demons are equal 11th for contested marks this season with 59 each - an average of 8.4 for Richmond in seven games and 7.4 for Melbourne in eight games.

3. Richmond’s biggest win over Melbourne is 93 points in 1980 at the MCG while the Demons greatest win over the Tigers is 121 points in 1993 at the MCG.

4. With the recent return to the side of Mark Jamar, Melbourne has risen to fourth in hit-outs with 45.1 per game. In three games Jamar has averaged 42 per game.

5. This will be the 185th contest between Richmond and Melbourne, with the Tigers holding a clear advantage, 103-79. There have been three draws.

6. Nick Vlastuin is one of the few Tigers moving up in the Official AFL Player Ratings this season. The young Tiger has climbed from No.347 overall at the start of the season to No.297.

Prediction: Richmond by 20 points