CHIEF executive Peter Jackson says last Sunday’s game was an important night for the Melbourne Football Club.

Melbourne defeated Richmond by 33 points in the second ANZAC Day Eve match between the clubs.

Jackson said the atmosphere of the night was a credit to the crowd of 59,968.

“I would like to thank all of our members and supporters for attending the game and supporting the cause,” Jackson told melbournefc.com.au.

“The crowd and atmosphere was so respectful during the ANZAC ceremony and then electric all throughout the match.”

Melbourne achieved an all-time membership record of 36,938 on the evening.

Jackson praised the style and tenacity shown by the playing group in the win over Richmond and the support of the Melbourne members and supporters on the night.

“For me, one of the most significant things I saw was the number of ‘Melbourne people’ in the crowd,” Jackson said.

“It was quite something being at the players' race at the end of the game and seeing the MCC and the rest of the Northern Stand full of red and blue and singing the song, let alone those in the rest of the ground as well. 

“The players and my fellow staff and board members have all commented on this.”

Jackson urged Melbourne supporters to maintain their support at Saturday’s game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

The game is a Melbourne home game, meaning members can scan into Etihad Stadium for free.

“We want that support to continue this week as we take on St Kilda at our home game at Etihad Stadium,” Jackson said.

“We know traditionally that our members and supporters don’t attend our games at Etihad in huge numbers but we want this to look, sound and feel like a home game should and provide an atmosphere that will continue to motivate the players.

“This is an opportunity to see two young developing teams take the field in what should be an intriguing contest.”