Melbourne moved to within a game of the AFL top eight after a hard-fought 29-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

The Demons broke clear in the final term with six goals to two, winning the battle of the league's two emerging sides 16.13 (109) to 11.14 (80).

Lynden Dunn kicked a career-best haul of five goals and full-back James Frawley was outstanding, restricting the league's leading goalkicker Jack Riewoldt to only one major.

The Tigers were left ruing an inability to make the most of their chances after they led the inside 50s at three-quarter time 47-34.

Mitch Morton and Daniel Jackson impressed for the Tigers and Ben Cousins was also in their best players as speculation continues about his future.

There were eight lead changes through to early in the second term as the Tigers threatened to dominate, but the Demons kept it tight.

The Tigers led the inside-50m count 17-8 in the first term, but only led by seven points at the first change.

Richmond finally broke clear with three-straight goals in the second term for a 16-point lead.

Tigers ruckman Andrew Browne added some comedy in the second quarter when the umpire awarded a free kick, but pointed the wrong way.

Browne then nearly kicked the wrong way before realising the error.

Just as Richmond threatened to take control, Dunn kicked two-straight goals, the second a great snap from an acute angle.

Brad Green took a strong mark seconds before the halftime siren and goaled to reduce the margin to one point.

The intensity lifted in the third quarter as first the Demons kicked clear for a 12-point lead.

Melbourne should have gone further ahead, but three bad misses to Liam Jurrah and a controversial decision not to allow Paul Johnson a mark within scoring range cost them.

Two goals to the Tigers again reduced the margin to one point, but Dunn goaled on the siren from 50m.

Richmond dominated the early part of the final term and a goal to Morton levelled the scores.

But the Demons killed off the match, dominating play and kicking four goals in a decisive nine-minute period.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP