The Richmond Tigers have claimed their third win in a row, defeating the Essendon Bombers by 38 points in a performance that was patchy at times but ultimately finished with a comfortable margin.
Final score
Essendon 10.7.67
Richmond 16.9.105
The Richmond Tigers will be aiming for three consecutive wins when they take on the lowly Essendon Bombers on Saturday night at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:25pm (AEST).
The Tigers had their largest victory of the season last week when they defeated the winless Fremantle Dockers at Domain Stadium by 38 points in near cyclonic conditions.
Led by a best-on-ground performance by captain Trent Cotchin who finished with 39 possessions, and Dustin Martin who handled the conditions better than anyone else on the field, the Tigers dominated through the midfield.
The Bombers are on a seven-game losing streak and coming off a second-half flogging by the Saints last week. Essendon got within four points early in the third quarter but then the Saints tall forwards went rampant, St Kilda eventually winning by 46 points. That margin should have greater as the Saints won the inside 50 count 67-40.
Once again the Bombers struggled up forward, Mitch Brown a lone hand with four goals. The Bombers have only managed to kick more than ten goals in a game just twice this season. They rank last in contested marks, and badly need the out of form forward Joe Daniher to show more of a presence.
Essendon have a better balanced team this week with the return of Courtenay Dempsey and Ryan Crowley. The Tigers have lost Troy Chaplin to injury, offset somewhat by the inclusion of David Astbury.
Prediction
This game will be won in the middle. Only the Suns and Dockers rank lower than these two teams for inside 50s. It will be interesting to see if the Bombers tag Cotchin this week. They decided not to tag Jack Steven last week and he dominated in a 40-possession performance.
Crowley’s return seems to indicate they will tag, although Crowley’s lack on conditioning has seen him struggle in the role this season.
The Tigers will need to pay attention to Zach Merrett and David Zaharakis who have both been superb this season. But the young undermanned Bombers have struggled to put four quarters together this season and it’s that inconsistency that the Tigers will hoping to take advantage of.
Tigers by 38 points.
Preview prepared by Lou Lando.
Bobbo7
Guest
Richmond are still rubbish. Any serious team would have belted them in the final quarter. Typically the Tigers turned off as only they can and that is why they will not go anywhere. No killer instinct and just happy with a reasonable win over an undermanned side.
Widget
Roar Guru
Match Summary The Richmond Tigers have recorded a scratchy 38-point win over the Essendon Bombers in the Dreamtime at the G match. With the traditional festivities of the Dreamtime at the G match completed the two teams got the match underway and Richmond looked the classier team from the outset against the top-up Bombers. Although they were far from convincing the Tigers kicked away to a 20-point lead at quarter time thanks to a big term from Shane Edwards and Brett Deledio. Whatever John Worsfold said to Essendon at quarter time seemed to work as his side came out hungry for the contest in the second term. Led by their skipper Brendon Goddard and young McDonald Tipungwuti in defence the Bombers held firm and took their chances up forward to reduce the margin to 16 points at half time. After having a chance to regroup the Tigers bounced back in the third term as the in form duo of Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt helped the Tigers kick away to a 39-point lead at three quarter time. But just when it looked as if the margin was about to blow out, the Bombers kicked the first two goals of the term reduce the margin. Thankfully for Tigers fans, Ty Vickery stepped up and kicked a steadying goal to seal a 38-point victory. The win moves the Tigers up to 13th on the live ladder with four wins, while even though the Bombers sit in 17th with just one win, there is still plenty to be proud of for their supporters. In terms of the votes it is impossible to go past Dustin Martin who was a clear best on ground in his team's win tonight with a personal best 38 disposals and 10 marks. My two votes may surprise some people but the Bombers captain Brendan Goddard was back to his best tonight as he floated between defence and the midfield, doing whatever is team required on the way to recording 34 touches, six marks and four tackles. My one vote goes to Brett Deledio who set the game up in the first half for the Tigers with some of his trademark ability to hit the scoreboard and find lots of the footy and the veteran finished with 23 touches and three goals. Votes: 3 Dustin Martin (Richmond Tigers) 2 Brendan Goddard (Essendon Bombers) 1 Brett Deledio (Richmond Tigers)
Widget
Roar Guru
FULL TIME RICHMOND 16.9 105 def. ESSENDON 10.7 67 A scratchy win by the Tigers but they bank a valuable four points against the Bombers. Stay Tuned for my match summary and 3,2, and 1 votes. Who deserves the votes in your opinion? Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our coverage of the game.
Widget
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Cotchin with the big pack mark and he gets a late goal. 1:42 to go Q4 Richmond 105 Essendon 67
Widget
Roar Guru
Dustin Martin has broken his personal best for disposals as he gets his 37th.
Widget
Roar Guru
BEHIND RICHMOND Griffiths misses the set shot. 5:30 to go Q4 Richmond 99 Essendon 67
Widget
Roar Guru
Essendon leading the clearance count 40-31.
Widget
Roar Guru
BEHIND ESSENDON A scrappy passage of play ends with Essendon going inside 50 to Parish and he misses. 8:11 to go Q4 Richmond 98 Essendon 67
Widget
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND A great effort under pressure by Ty Vickery gives the Tigers much needed goal. 9:39 to go Q4 Richmond 98 Essendon 66
Widget
Roar Guru
It's hard not to be impressed by the constant effort from Tipungwuti. The kid just has something special about him.
Widget
Roar Guru
BEHIND ESSENDON Jamar gives one off to Goddard who misses from 50. 14:05 to go Q4 Richmond 92 Essendon 66
Widget
Roar Guru
Richmond looking a little sluggish here, they would want a goal soon.
Widget
Roar Guru
BEHIND ESSENDON Merrett snaps one out of no where but misses. 15:15 to go Q4 Richmond 92 Essendon 65
Widget
Roar Guru
GOAL ESSENDON Joe Daniher gets a reward for his hard work tonight with a big grab and goal. 16:47 to go Q4 Richmond 92 Essendon 64
Widget
Roar Guru
BEHIND ESSENDON Fantasia burns off his opponent but can't convert. 17:53 to go Q4 Richmond 92 Essendon 58
Widget
Roar Guru
GOAL ESSENDON Darcy Parish with a tight snap that sails through the goals. 18:13 to go Q4 Richmond 92 Essendon 57
Widget
Roar Guru
Hartley is done for the night with a hamstring strain, leaving the bombers a defender down for the final term.
Widget
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME RICHMOND 14.8 92 ESSENDON 8.3 51 Another fighting effort by the Bombers just when it looked like the Tigers would run away with it. A lack of options up forward is ultimately proving the difference with Essendon only having five less inside 50s. Damien Hardwick will be hoping for a big finish by his men rather than just cruising home to an easy win. Do you think the score will blow out or will the Bombers keep fighting hard?
Widget
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND A beautiful tap on by Rioli finds Riewoldt who dribbles it home. 0:09 to go Q3 Richmond 92 Essendon 51
Widget
Roar Guru
GOAL RICHMOND Grigg finds some space to mark inside 50 and he slots it. 1:38 to go Q3 Richmond 86 Essendon 51