Balta wasn't the only youngster to impress with Riley Coller-Dawkins, Richmond's first selection in the 2018 national draft, slotting into the middle, his attack on the ball impressive enough to put him in the frame for round one. He sat out the third quarter and finished with six touches but he will benefit from the hit-out and looks on track. It was Tigers' star Dusty Martin who lifted after quarter-time to help Richmond regain the ascendancy in the middle and allow the Tigers to take over the game, their run and carry and forward pressure too much for Melbourne in the second and third quarters despite the fact Clayton Oliver (32 disposals and Angus Brayshaw (37 disposals) were brilliant throughout the afternoon. The game finished on a strange note with power failing late in the last quarter with the lights going out as the crowd of 5190 found voice with scores tightening up. But it was Balta that had the Tigers' hierarchy interested as he shared forward duties with premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis and worked in tandem with Ivan Soldo in the ruck as the Tigers experimented with their set up ahead of the season opener.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praised him after the game and said working out the best on-field set-up was going to be a struggle. "He was terrific for us in and around the ruck, and he provided a contest and a couple of highlights," Hardwick said. The new ruck rules and the arrival of Lynch has forced Richmond to reassess their strategy heading into 2019 with both Nankervis and champion forward Jack Riewoldt having to become used to working in tandem with teammates in their respective roles. With Lynch in doubt for round one and the Tigers keen to remain patient with him as he recovers from a PCL operation he had midway through last season they will look at whether to stick with the structure that served them so well or bring in an extra tall such as Balta or Soldo against Carlton.

The Tigers, who play Hawthorn in Tasmania in the final game of the JLT Community Series, look to have lost none of their ferocity gathering pace after a slow start while Melbourne plays the Brisbane Lions. "All in all, it was a positive experience," Hardwick said. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was pleased with what he saw, particularly with several key players missing. "There was a bit to like, especially early. We have six players playing their first game for the footy club and I thought our start was outstanding," Goodwin said. Unfortunately for Melbourne speedster Jeff Garlett dislocated his shoulder in the third quarter and sat on the bench with his shoulder iced during the last quarter. It is a blow for Garlett who lost his spot in the team late last season as the Demons surged towards finals with the 29-year-old likely to miss up to three weeks.

Meanwhile Melbourne's Brayshaw is set to be automatically mentioned among the game's elite midfielders heading into this season. The 23-year-old was the best player on the ground in the opening quarter against Richmond with 12 disposals that included three clearances and five inside 50s, finishing the game as good as he started. Coming on the back of a surprise third placing in last year's Brownlow Medal and a strong finals series he took the contest up to Richmond star Dustin Martin who responded well in the second quarter. Goodwin said Brayshaw and Oliver were both outstanding and he was also satisfied with what he saw from Braydon Preuss who carried ruck duties on his own for the first time with Melbourne. "He is an improving player, a developing player. We see him as a long term player who is going to work on his craft. He hasn't played the game for a long time so he has plenty to work on and we are going to foster and develop him," Goodwin said. Martin scared Tiger fans when he landed awkwardly on his ankle but he played without discomfort after leaving the ground momentarily.

Melbourne were without Max Gawn so Brayden Preuss had to ruck alone while co-captains Jack Viney and Nathan Jones were missing. The Demons' forwardline has a slightly new look with high flying Joel Smith lending support to the two key forwards Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman while Marty Hore won a spot in the line-up. Richmond were without Lynch, Josh Caddy, Jason Castagna and Shaun Grigg and introduced new faces in Collier-Dawkins, Jack Ross (who wins the ball, but will need time to develop) and recycled small forward Maverick Weller who will keep pressure on the Tigers' young forwards.