The Demons Outclass Young Tigers in Annual Anzac Eve Clash at MCG – Live Updates

Melbourne defeated Richmond by 20 points in the annual Anzac Day Eve clash at the MCG on Thursday night, securing a 12.11 (83) to 9.9 (63) victory in round seven of the 2025 AFL season.

The Demons broke open a tight contest in the third quarter, shifting from a four-point half-time lead to a commanding advantage through a burst of skill and composure that had been absent in their early-season form.

Kysaiah Pickett was instrumental in the turnaround, beginning the game with just five touches in the first half before marking on the lead and converting to extend Melbourne’s margin. He later received a sharp handball from Max Gawn, which Christian Petracca converted to further increase the Demons’ lead.

Pickett finished with 29 disposals and four goals, earning best-on-ground honours in a performance that highlighted his growing influence in the competition. His impact included a notable mark in the dying stages, where he launched atop Campbell Gray after using the young Tiger as a step-ladder, a moment described as potentially the mark of the year.

Richmond showed early promise, bringing pressure and intent that briefly rattled Melbourne and matched them around the contest. However, once the Demons found their rhythm, their superior ball movement and composure allowed them to take control and open the floodgates in the final quarter.

The loss extended Richmond’s challenges, as they were forced to miss premiership defender Noah Balta due to a court-imposed 10pm curfew stemming from an assault conviction in regional NSW on December 30 of the previous year. Balta was also handed an alcohol ban, fined $3,000 and given an 18-month community corrections order as part of his punishment.

Despite the absence of Balta, Richmond coach Adem Yze rejected the idea that the spotlight on his player’s court appearance was a distraction, instead citing the team’s heavy schedule — three games in 11 days — as a greater factor in the defeat.

Yze acknowledged Balta’s quality, noting he had played well the previous week and would be welcome back in the side the following week, but emphasized that the short turnaround and quick succession of matches had made preparation difficult for his young squad.

The result marked the 10th edition of the traditional Anzac Day Eve clash at the MCG, with Melbourne’s class ultimately proving too much for a plucky Richmond side that had threatened to turn the night into a scrap in the opening stages.