ANALYSIS: Richmond is still king of the AFL, even if there are new challengers emerging
Richmond, without arguably its four most important players — Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert and Nick Vlastuin — put the clamps on the freewheeling, fast flowing Bulldogs.Shai Bolton finished fourth in the club's best and fairest last year and his standing in the game only continues to rise.
Melbourne may not have built the bank of trust Richmond's proven record has earned, but a seven-win start to the season has rightly put a sparkle in the eyes of many a Demons supporter. The Dees were initially a little subdued against a determined North Melbourne yesterday and the early loss of Adam Tomlinson to a serious knee injury was emotionally confronting. But Melbourne stood up in a match its former fragile self might have dropped.Bayley Fritsch kicked a career-high six goals and excitement machine Kysaiah Pickett — three goals — again had you captivated.