Melbourne thumped Richmond by 46 points on a wet and wild Sunday at the MCG as both sides took a moment to commemorate the life of suburban footballer Nathan Fitzgerald.As sporadic droplets of rain fell softly over the MCG turf pre-match, Demon and Tigers players linked arms and bowed their heads to honour Fitzgerald – who tragically died in hospital after suffering three head knocks during a suburban footy match in Melbourne’s north a week ago.Teammates from local club Epping stand in honour of Nathan Fitzgerald before Richmond plays Melbourne at the MCG.Getty ImagesThe 27-year-old maths and science teacher was playing for Epping Football Club’s reserves team against Lalor when he sustained head knocks in quick succession, including hitting his head on the cricket pitch – a strip of concrete covered by artificial turf – in the middle of the oval.As a tribute, all 18 clubs across AFL matches this weekend wore black armbands as a mark of respect. On Sunday afternoon, Both Melbourne Demons and Fitzgerald’s beloved Richmond Tigers held a minute’s silence before their match.Fitzgerald’s Epping teammates wore their club’s navy guernsey and joined the players on field in a moving guard of honour and Matthew Fitzgerald – Nathan’s brother – did the coin toss.It was a fitting tribute.Fitzgerald’s death coincides with growing concerns around the number of head knocks and concussions in grassroots footy and at the elite level.Melbourne enjoyed a strong win and, ominously, improved their MCG record this season to 9-0 on a day when Max Gawn drew level with Jim Stynes on games played for Melbourne with 264.Despite showing signs of promise during the first quarter, Richmond’s fiery start was quickly snuffed out by a slicker Melbourne who snatched momentum in the second quarter to punch a string of answered goals.As the club continues to grapple with a ballooning injury list, the Tigers debuted 18-year-old Zane Peucker who kicked his first AFL goal in the opening quarter.The teenager took advantage of a handball from Nick Vlastuin to sprint and slot a goal from just outside 50, while his proud family celebrated in the stands.Melbourne were in control by the second, thanks to Jacob van Rooyen, who had a stellar game and who booted four goals and one behind by halftime.Max Gawn of the Demons and Toby Nankervis of the Tigers compete in the ruck.AFL PhotosStrong performances from the Picketts – including a flying hanger from Kysaiah – pushed the Demons further ahead.The heavens opened in the third quarter and heavy rain fell down, causing poncho-clad spectators to seek cover under the stands.The weather wasn’t as torrential as were the scenes at the Carlton versus Hawthorn game at the same venue the night before, but it still caused some grief with dropped marks and wobbly kicks.Melbourne showed their experience and maturity, overpowering the Tigers in the drenched conditions to boot consecutive goals and lead in uncontested possessions.Steven King’s team out bodied and outran the younger Tigers, with an impressive performance from captain Max Gawn who finished with two goals and 36 hitouts and van Rooyen who slotted an equal career-best of six goals.After a starring five-goal effort in Melbourne’s surprise demolition of Hawthorn last week, van Rooyen took that confidence into a date with the rebuilding Tigers.He became the first Demons player to have back-to-back five-goal hauls since now-GWS forward Jesse Hogan in 2018.Kicking just two goals in a lean four-week patch, van Rooyen has notched 14 in his past three appearances.The 23-year-old’s efforts took him to 35 goals this season - his best return in a single campaign since debuting in 2023.As the rain eased in the fourth term, Richmond found their feet to kick four goals but it was too little too late.The Demons stormed ahead to boost their percentage on the ladder to win 16.15 (111) to 9.11(65), with a shot on the siren from Harry Sharp.Drawing level with Melbourne great and 1991 Brownlow medallist Stynes on games played was important to Gawn.The Melbourne big man is now near Adem Yze (271 matches), the opposition coach on Sunday, and Robert Flower (272 games) at the top of the Melbourne list. Only David Neitz and Nathan Jones are ahead of them.“I’m not a massive milestone guy, but this one in particular [feels different],” Gawn told Channel Seven about drawing level with Stynes.“Just because of the name Jim, I think.“What does it mean to me? He basically gave me my chance in football.“The recruiters got me, and [former Melbourne coach] Dean Bailey gave me my jumper, but Jim ... told me to be myself.“That’s the person I hope I’ve still been today.“I’m hoping everyone at home can see that I’m just out here (still) the 10-year-old boy with a big smile on my face, playing on the MCG. That’s what Jim told me to do.”