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Both subs are now on the ground, as the MCG announces a crowd figure of 71,635.
Melbourne swung youngster Harry Sharp into the action during this final term, and he found Bayley Fritsch with a pinpoint pass. Fritsch missed the shot on goal.
The Demons benched Koltyn Tholstrup for the remainder of the match.
The Tigers had earlier activated Tom Brown, taking first-gamer Campbell Gray from the ground.
Melbourne 12.9 (81) lead Richmond 5.8 (38) with 12 minutes remaining.
Goodnight, Irene. We are barely a minute into the last quarter and Melbourne have all but put this to bed.
They have already notched up a goal to stretch the lead to 41 points.
It started with a Christian Petracca handball to Kysaiah Pickett, who found Kade Chandler with a precise pass. Kozzy nailed the set shot.
Melbourne’s cream finally rose to the top to transform an arm wrestle with youth-laden Richmond into a lopsided contest at three-quarter-time.
Max Gawn and Christian Petracca have both shone for the Demons.Credit: Getty Images
A six-goals-to-one third term has given Simon Goodwin’s men a 35-point lead that will have calmed their under-fire coach greatly.
The Demons returned from half-time a different side, demonstrating the intensity rarely seen in two indifferent quarters to start the night.
Clayton Oliver had five disposals at half-time but 13 in the third quarter alone. Christian Petracca had 11, and two goals, in the term, and Max Gawn won 11, too.
Jack Viney laid six more tackles to give him 13 for the game. Kysaiah Pickett had started the previous two quarters in the centre but went forward this time, and his pressure and intensity were crucial.
Melbourne remain a puzzling side, but they are on their way to back-to-back victories.
Richmond will need to make up a six-goal deficit in the final term to win this match.
After pushing the Demons for the first half, they dropped away big-time in the third quarter.
The Demons kicked six goals to one to take a 35-point lead into the final break. Of note, Christian Petracca has booted two after half-time and is getting back to his damaging best.
But the star of the night to date has been ruckman Max Gawn. He has had 23 disposals and 31 hit-outs.
3QT: Melbourne 11.7 (73) lead Richmond 5.8 (38) with one minute until three-quarter time.
Christian Petracca has been a class above.Credit: Getty Images
The Demons are starting to play like the Demons of old, and not before time.
In a performance that is helping save Simon Goodwin’s career, Melbourne have now kicked six third-quarter goals to Richmond’s one to take a comfortable 36-point advantage.
Even more heartening for the fans, the latest goal game off the boot of superstar Christian Petracca for his second of the term and the night.
A quick glance at the stats tells us that Petracca has been busy – 23 disposals, including nine kicks and 14 handballs.
Melbourne 11.7 (73) lead Richmond 5.7 (37) with one minute until three-quarter time.
It might be a name to make commentators nervous, but it doesn’t affect his kicking.
Koltyn Tholstrup has given the Demons a hame-high 19-point lead with a mark and goal.
It is the sort of name that would not sound out of place in a Scandinavian soccer tournament, so we have had a quick check to see where the young lad is from.
According to the Demons website he hails from Esperance in WA.
Tom Sparrow capitalised from a Nick Vlastuin mistake.Credit: AFL Photos
Poor old, Nick Vlastuin. He has handed the Demons a second easy goal.
The first came from a miss-kick that landed in the arms of Harrison Petty. The second was a result of poor judgment.
He scooped the ball up deep in defence and thought he had more time and space. But he was quickly grabbed by Demon Tom Sparrow and brought to the ground.
The free kick for dropping the ball allowed Sparrow to pop one through from 15 metres.
Melbourne have gained the ascendancy in this second half.
Melbourne 9.4 (58) lead Richmond 5.6 (36) with eight minutes until three-quarter time.
Tom Lynch is still a focal point up forward for Richmond.Credit: Getty Images
Tiger star Tom Lynch has answered for Richmond, ending Melbourne’s three-goal run.
He seized on a tumbling ball in the goal square and poked it through for a major. That is his first goal for the night.
Melbourne 8.4 (52) lead Richmond 5.6 (36) with 10 minutes until three-quarter time.
Another goal to the Demons.
Bayley Fritsch has brought up his second as Melbourne turns up the heat.
It was another passage of play that involved a handball from Max Gawn and ended with Fritsch kicking a 40m drop punt around his body.
The Demons have kicked the opening three goals of the third term in an effort that mirrors the start of the game. They are controlling possession, dominating time inside 50 and, more importantly, have ramped up the pressure meter.
But in a slight concern, defender Steven May has rolled his ankle in a marking contest and limped from the ground. It does not look too serious at this stage.
Melbourne 8.4 (52) lead Richmond 4.6 (30) with 13 minutes until three-quarter time.
That’s the Melbourne that fans have wanted to see.
Max Gawn handballs to Christian Petracca who snaps a goal. It’s like a blast from the not-to-distant past.
