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Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL Round 7 Tips - Melbourne’s Anzac Eve dominance continues

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Thu 23 Apr 2026 12:19

Jeremy Darke 23 Apr 2026

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The game will be played at MCG on Friday, 24th April, with the bounce at 7:40 PM (AEST)
Melbourne is predicted to dominate Richmond with a 40+ point margin.
Richmond Tigers have yet to secure a win this season, facing form struggles.
Midfield strength and scoring ability give Melbourne an edge over Richmond.

Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL Round 7 Tips

Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons, Round 7 2026 - Expert Prediction

Melbourne won't make the same mistake they did against Essendon as a 40+ result against Richmond looks likely, with the gap between these two sides too big to ignore.

Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons, Round 7 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Richmond Tigers Form Analysis
Melbourne Demons Form Analysis
Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons Team List & News
Richmond Tigers Team News
Melbourne Demons Team News
Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2026 Round 7 FAQ’s

Richmond are yet to win a game this season and are coming off another heavy defeat, this time a 75-point loss to North Melbourne where they struggled both in front of goal and around the contest. Across their last five, they’re averaging just 56 points while conceding well over 100 , a trend that points to sustained scoreboard pressure against them.

Melbourne, meanwhile, are building nicely at 4–2 and just knocked off Brisbane in a high-quality contest, showing they can match it with the best while maintaining strong midfield control.

That midfield edge should translate into territory dominance, giving Melbourne repeat inside 50 opportunities and ultimately creating the separation needed to clear a 40+ margin.

Richmond under 74.5 points also lines up given their scoring struggles, while Jack Steele 25+ disposals is a strong lean in a game where Melbourne should control possession and allow their midfielders to accumulate.

Richmond have lost by 42 points or more in their last 5 matches.
Richmond are averaging 58.66 points per game this season.
Richmond have scored less than 74.5 points in 4 of their last 6 losses to Melbourne.
Jack Steele has tallied 25+ disposals in 3 of his last 5 matches for Melbourne.

Head to Head Stats

Melbourne have won the last 6 matches against Richmond with an average margin of 28 points.

The Demons have not lost against the Tigers since the Anzac Eve tradition began. 5 of the six matches have had a score under the game total.

Richmond Tigers Form Analysis

Richmond’s season is in serious trouble, sitting 0–6 and rooted to the bottom of the ladder with an average losing margin of over 60 points across their last five games. Their most recent outing was a 75-point loss to North Melbourne which summed up their struggles, with poor accuracy (7.13) and a second-half fade-out compounding an already difficult day.

Injuries to key players including Sam Banks, Maurice Rioli and Tim Taranto only added to the damage, exposing a lack of depth and resilience.

The Tigers are being beaten across most key metrics, particularly inside 50s, contested possessions and hit-outs, which is limiting their ability to control territory. While their disposal efficiency is respectable, their high turnover rate continues to hurt.

Scoring remains a major issue, averaging just 56 points across their last five games . With ongoing injury concerns and structural issues, Richmond are struggling to stay competitive for four quarters.

Melbourne Demons Form Analysis

Melbourne’s season is building nicely, with a 4–2 record and a spot inside the top eight reflecting a side that is competitive against strong opposition. Their latest performance, a thrilling two-point win over Brisbane, showcased their ability to absorb pressure and respond, particularly with a dominant third quarter that swung momentum.

Key contributors like Jacob van Rooyen and Harvey Langford highlight a forward line and midfield mix that is beginning to click.

The Demons hold clear statistical advantages over Richmond, particularly in disposals, inside 50s and hit-outs, giving them a strong platform through midfield control. They are averaging over 90 points across their last five games, underlining their scoring capacity, although conceding close to 100 suggests there is still some defensive inconsistency.

Despite that, Melbourne’s balance and ability to win contested ball should allow them to dictate terms against weaker opposition.

Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons Team List & News

Richmond Tigers Team News

Five changes, with Sam Cumming and Tom Burton to debut, while Tom Lynch, Jacob Hopper and Tom Brown return. Sam Banks, Maurice Rioli and Tim Taranto are all injured.

Melbourne Demons Team News

Changkuoth Jiath replaces concussed defender Harry Petty in the Demons’ only change.

Richmond	POS	Melbourne
N. Vlastuin, B. Miller, N. Balta	B	D. Turner, J. Lever, B. Howes
N. Broad, J. Short, S. Grlj	HB	X. Taylor, C. Jiath, T. Sparrow
H. Ralphsmith, D. Prestia, P. Retschko	C	J. Culley, J. Steele, E. Langdon
S. Campbell, S. Cumming, S. Green	HF	K. Chandler, B. Mihocek, B. Laurie
J. Faull, T. Lynch, M. Lefau	F	J. van Rooyen, B. Fritsch, K. Pickett
S. Ryan, J. Ross, S. Lalor	FOLL	M. Gawn, H. Langford, C. Windsor
J. Hopper, T. Burton, T. Brown, C. Gray, K. McAuliffe	I/C	K. Tholstrup, M. Jefferson, M. Heath, H. Sharp, L. Pickett

Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2026 Round 7 FAQ’s

How to watch Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2026 Round 7?

You can watch the Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2026 Round 7 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2026 Round 7?

To buy tickets to the Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2026 Round 7 game check the AFL website or the official Richmond Tigers site.

Verdict

Richmond Tigers v Melbourne Demons

Melbourne will run away on Anzac Eve with a 40+ victory, with Richmond’s scoring woes continuing as Jack Steele controls possession with 25+ disposals.

Melbourne Demons

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