Bannan kicks four goals as in-form Demons beat Tigers

The Demons led by 33 points late in the match, but three goals to Richmond forward Caitlin Greiser in the last five minutes helped Richmond add respectability to the scoreboard. 

Melbourne's finals hopes looked dead and buried after their 72-7 loss to Essendon on September 27 dropped them to a 1-4 record.

But four wins on the trot have catapulted Melbourne (5-4) right back into the finals mix with just two rounds remaining.

Melbourne face in-form Hawthorn and struggling Collingwood in their last two games, needing to win both to make finals.

"We've worked really hard the last few games to change it up a bit and to play to everyone's strengths," Bannan told Fox Sports after the win.

"It's paying off now and it's so much fun.

"Once we play our brand of footy, everyone just gets on a roll and that's what makes it enjoyable."

Richmond slipped to a 6-3 record, with the loss to Melbourne putting their top-four hopes in jeopardy.

In an added blow, Richmond skipper Katie Brennan could be set for a stint on the sidelines after injuring her right ankle while being tackled in the second term, ruling her out for the rest of the match

Richmond's Ellie McKenzie provided the highlight of the opening term when she got the ball on the wing, took three bounces at full pace before nailing her goal on the run.

MCKENZIE, STOP IT 🤯— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) #AFLWDeesTigers pic.twitter.com/nEM787Cm85October 19, 2024

Not to be outdone, Bannan kicked two goals for the term, including a ripper with the outside of the right boot to give the Demons a six-point edge at the first break.

Melbourne's Eden Zanker took a strong grab to kick the only goal of the second quarter, helping extend the Demons' lead to 11 points at half-time.

Bannan kicked her third goal early in the third term, with the Tigers restricted to just three behinds for the quarter.

Melbourne put the game to bed early in the last quarter with three quick goals, including Bannan's fourth courtesy of a holding-the-ball free kick.

Tensions threatened to boil over several times in the final quarter as the Demons ran away with the game.

First, a scrap between Melbourne's Kate Hore and Richmond's McKenzie resulted in other players rushing in.

That one fizzled out, but just minutes later Richmond's Emelia Yassir took exception to Eliza McNamara and slung her to the ground in brutal fashion.

Richmond's 55-minute goal drought - which included a run of six consecutive behinds - was finally ended when Greiser took a strong mark near goal before kicking truly, sparking a run of three straight goals for Greiser.

Eilish Sheerin stood tall for Richmond with 31 disposals, 10 clearances, 586m gained and a goal, while Monique Conti (28 disposals, four clearances) also gathered plenty of the ball.