The mighty black and yellow Tiger machine has steamrolled the Essendon Bombers in a Dreamtime in the ‘G clash that was little more than a stat-padder and training run for the reigning premier.
Richmond came out firing, after an indigenous ceremony pre-kickoff that had all in attendance delighted.
When the umpire bounced that first ball, and after some initial clashes settled, the Tigers took control, kicking the first five for the game.
It was only a late goal just on quarter time to Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti that gave the perception that Essendon might still be in the game.
Essendon came out firing in the second, putting a string of goals together, but it was to be a false dawn, as the likes of Josh Caddy and Shane Edwards had their way with the Bombers, to take a 31 point lead into the main break.
From the start of the second half, it was all Richmond, with the relentless all-round pressure and discipline of the Tigers too much for an out-gunned and undermanned Bombers outfit that was feeling the loss of David Zaharakis to what looked a serious shoulder injury.
Shane Edwards, Dan Butler, and the young Callum Moore were too much for the bombers who conceded six goals.
At the other end, the force of Alex Rance was a whirlwind of attack repelling defence as the Tigers, ably assisted by Brandon Ellis, held the Bombers to a single goal in the third, and fourth, quarter.
What looked to be a complete demolition in the fourth petered out to something of cruise control, as the crowd slowly dispersed, and the Tigers played controlled football.
For the bombers, there was not much to take out of the game. Dyson Heppell tried his hardest, but could not do it on his own, while Orazio Fantasia, who took a nasty leg knock early, played his hardest, but simply could not breakdown a Tigers outfit that was in control across the park.
The Tigers will look to their game against Port next Friday with some confidence, and while the travel bug might weigh heavily on their minds, if they can continue this MCG form for the rest of the year, the occasional away loss won’t bother them too much.
As for the Bombers, the bathwater should be thrown out carefully, so as not to lose the baby, but it’s certainly back to the drawing board, a fortnight’s worth of goodwill cashed in in the space of mere hours, with what could be a curious trip to the Gabba awaiting them in Round 12.
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