The annual Dreamtime at the G will be a huge game for both Essendon and Richmond as they look to improve on a 4-4 start to the season.
The biggest crowd so far for a Dreamtime game is 84,234 but that may be broken this week, as Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher reaches his 400-game milestone.
This year marks the 11th time these two clubs have faced in the annual blockbuster. Essendon lead with six wins to four, winning five of the last six contests, including the last three and a 50-point drubbing in last year’s game.
Heading into this week’s game, let’s look back at some of the best and worst moments from one of the AFL’s biggest drawcards:
In 2006 Richmond won the first Dreamtime game, with Wayne Campbell starring with 25 possessions and two goals.
Two unlikely heroes starred for the Tigers in 2006. Debutant Dean Polo almost stole the show with three goals, winning the first Yiooken Award for best on ground. Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls however kicked the game-winning point, sealing the win for Richmond.
With the scores tied late in the 2007 edition’s fourth quarter, Matthew Richardson thought he had kicked the game-winning goal and was celebrating with the Tigers faithful before he got the shock of his life, seeing he had given away a free kick and then a 50 metre penalty. Essendon kicked the final goal of the game and scraped home for an eight-point victory.
In terms of records, Jack Riewoldt, who made his debut in the 2007 Dreamtime game, has the most goals in a Dreamtime game, kicking six in a losing side in 2010.
2013 was Jobe Watson’s time to shine with the Brownlow medallist dominating with 28 possessions and three goals.
In 2014 Ben Howlett starred with five goals and 25 possessions in the Dons’ 50-point win, but it was Brendon Goddard who went home with the Yiooken Award.
No player has been a two-time winner of the Yiooken Award, although four players will have the chance to become the first this weekend – Goddard, Watson, Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio.
It’s a big game and we are sure to see another special performance by a player on the big stage. Who do you think it will be?
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