AFL Anzac Day eve LIVE: Tigers taking it up to favoured Demons; ‘Good guy’ defence fails for West Coast

Dylan Grimes came to the front and took a grab in the Tigers’ forward arc to earn a free kick after the half-time buzzer.

Had the defender kicked the goal, it would have been just his fourth in his career.

His teammates got around him all the same, despite the minor score. It just nudges Richmond just in front for half-time.

Richmond by 1 at HT.

This from Andrew Wu, at the MCG:

If Dylan Grimes had converted after the half-time siren, it would have been just his fourth goal from 233 games, and his first since his 83rd game, in round four 2017. From 40 metres out directly in front, it should have been a soda. Unfortunately for Tigers fans, he kicked it like a defender.

In the space of the last few minutes, we’ve seen a player unwittingly play on over the goal line to concede a behind, and Clayton Oliver slip over taking a handball receive.

These sides are taking time to shake off the rust from their bye.

Shai Bolton found Hugo Ralphsmith, who went short and found Maurice Rioli out in front of Dustin Martin in their forward arc.

It all started with a terrible turnover from Jake Lever, which landed the ball in Bolton’s hands.

The goal squares the score at 23 apiece.

Christian Petracca made a run down the middle of the ground and found Daniel Turner in front of goal.

Turner put it through for the second goal this quarter, the Demons first in the second term.

It was Turner’s first goal in the AFL and run to the bench with the biggest smile on his face. He got a little cut on his face that needed to be patched up, while he received plenty of pats on the back.

Melbourne by 6.

The ball is ping-ponging around the ground and spending a decent amount of time in both teams’ forward 50s, but each shot has missed the finishing touch.

Tiger Sam Naismith had a shot that missed the lot, while the Demons have racked up two extra behinds.

Melbourne by 2.

Dustin Martin marked the ball in the top left pocket and put it through the big sticks to level the scores two minutes into the second term.

It all started with a turnover in the middle of the ground.

Scores level.

Full credit to the Tigers for the way they started the game. The Dees goaled in the first minute and not again until very late in the term.

In between, the Tigers served it up to one of the premiership fancies, dialling up the pressure around the ground. They lead the inside-50 count by 17-11 but, with Tom Lynch and Noah Balta injured, have lacked a marking target to cash in their chips.

Maurice Rioli has been a livewire. His feet are lightning fast. Good things happen when he is near the ball. Dustin Martin, Jacob Hopper and Liam Baker have all had plenty of it.

For the Dees, they are having trouble moving the ball, unless they are turning the ball over in open space. They have produced the cleanest passages of play but they have been rare. I still expect the Dees to win, but they have a fight on their hands.

Now let’s see what these two can do in this second quarter.

Marlion Pickett’s laid a jab to the guts of Clayton Oliver, who, not surprisingly, fell to the turf.

I say not surprisingly not as a crack at Oliver for simulation but because I’m sure a cut lunch to the comic cuts would not be pleasant.

Pickett can expect to be lighter in the pocket for that – either through a fine or, worse, with a loss of match payments due to suspension.

Surprisingly, we have a red hot contest tonight.

What the Tigers may lack in class, they are making up for it with their endeavour.

I hope that does not come across as patronising for Tigers fans – your side is having serious crack.

Adem Yze and the yellow and black faithful can’t reasonably ask for much more so far. The goal to Mykelti Lefau was very much deserved.