Melbourne has beaten Richmond by 28 points in their NAB Challenge match at MC Labour Park.

The Demons started much better and held off Richmond in the last term to win 15.13 (103) to 10.15 (75).

Midfielder Travis Johnstone, in his first game of the pre-season, impressed, while David Neitz and Jeff White kicked three goals apiece for the Demons.

Melbourne dominated the start of the match. David Neitz, Jones and Brad Green managed to get boot to ball for goals while the Tigers could manage three behinds only for the period - all from set shots inside 30 metres.

When Aaron Davey and Johnson goaled inside the first three minutes of the second quarter, Melbourne's lead had blown out to 31 points and a rout was on the cards.

But a brace of Richmond goals bridged the gap to 14 points.

Neither team was able to make any headway for much of the third quarter, before Jeff White slotted two in time-on to put Melbourne 26 points up.

Matthew Whelan's snap was the best of Melbourne's four final-term goals as the likes of Cameron Bruce and Johnstone lifted to guide the Demons safely home.

Johnstone was the Demons' top possession-winner with 25 and Bruce was all class, but for a four-quarter effort, it was hard to go past second-year midfielder Nathan Jones, while Chris Johnson was not far behind.

Demons assistant coach Peter Curran was in control of the team as senior coach Neale Daniher watched from the grandstand.

"It was good on-the-job training, I appreciate the opportunity," Curran said.

"But the most important thing was we'd had a look at a few guys over the last couple of weeks and we had something like our best side in today.

"So we took a step forward, there are still things we can work on.

"Importantly, our best players aren't going to get much better, but our middle-tier and younger players are the ones who can help us improve - Chris Johnson and Nathan Jones really helped in many of those areas."

Brock McLean is likely to return for Melbourne's match against Geelong on Saturday at Skilled Stadium.

MELBOURNE 3.3 8.7 11.10 15.13 (103)

RICHMOND 0.3 6.7 7.12 10.15 (75)

Goals: Melbourne: D Neitz 3 J White 3 N Jones 2 A Davey 2 T Johnstone C Johnson B Green C Bruce M Whelan.
Richmond: G Polak 2 K Pettifer 2 D Meyer 2 J Schulz 2 S Tuck B Hartigan.

Best: Melbourne: C Bruce T Johnstone C Bizzell N Jones.
Richmond: S Tuck K Pettifer N Foley.

Umpires: C Donlon T Dey T Keating C Hendry.