Round 8, 2003
Richmond vs Melbourne
Saturday, 17 May
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 38,063
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Richmond | 7.3 | 10.4 | 14.5 | 17.10.112 |
| Melbourne | 7.0 | 9.3 | 14.7 | 16.7.103 |
Richmond win by 9 points
Goalkickers: David Neitz 4, Russell Robertson 3, Peter Vardy 2, Brad Green 1, Chris Heffernan 1, Mark Jamar 1, Andrew Leoncelli 1, Guy Rigoni 1, Matthew Whelan 1, Adem Yze 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Russell Robertson
Milestones:
100 Games
James McDonald
The Tigers had won pretty much every aspect of the game but still managed to trail at three quarter time. Given that Melbourne hadn't won a last quarter all year it didn't bode well for the Demons especially as they were down a player with Cameron Bruce off from half-time with a hamstring injury. The two sides had engaged in an entertaining shootout all day with just a goal separating them at half time, and two points at the last break.
Russell Robertson kicked a goal after pulling down a screamer and put the Demons seven points up. Melbourne were still two goals in front deep into the last quarter before the Tigers ran over the top. 23 minutes into the last term Greg Stafford returned, having departed with a seemingly serious knee injury, to beat Brad Miller to a contest and kick the winning goal.
The Demons were undermanned in the centre, with Jeff White out and the inexperienced Darren Jolly and Mark Jamar were forced to take up the slack. They were not disgraced, but the Demons needed the class of their main ruckman.
Robertson, Williams and Rigoni were amongst the best. Cameron Bruce (shoulder) and Chris Heffernan (hamstring) were injured.
Video
Media
"Richardson, Stafford stand tall" - The Age 18/05/2003