Essendon’s slim finals prospects lay solely on the hotly anticipated Friday night clash between the Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers. Join The Roar for live scores and blog of the encounter, starting from 7:50pm AEST.
Last time these two sides met, was in round 11 for the annual ‘Dreamtime at the G’ clash. The Tigers proved formidable, embarrassing a lacklustre Bombers outfit to the tune of 71 points. Shane Edwards had 31 possessions and kicked two goals, while Devon Smith was best on for Essendon.
It is challenging to source superlatives stout enough to accurately reflect Richmond’s dominance at the MCG. The Tigers have amassed 16 straight wins at the venue, with little sign of slowing down.
Richmond’s fast, scintillating handball-driven game style consistently proves decisive and productive on the AFL’s grandest stage. The Tigers gain an astonishing 504 metres per game through handballs, which is 233 metres ahead of second.
The Tigers will be without essential midfield trio Kane Lambert, Trent Cotchin, and Dion Prestia. However, Toby Nankervis and Reece Conca return, which will provide a significant boost.
Essendon’s season has been one filled with disappointment and frustration. Imposing victories against West Coast, GWS, and Port Adelaide have been accompanied with abysmal outings against Carlton, Fremantle, and the Western Bulldogs.
Devon Smith has emerged as a recruiting wonder stroke. Already impressive playing for GWS, Smith has developed into one of the competitions elite, comfortably ranking first in the competition for tackles.
The Bombers will be without the influential Orazio Fantasia, leaving Travis Collyer and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti with big shoes to fill.
Join The Roar for live scores and blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm AEST.
Neil
Guest
No. You are wrong. Richmond only need to lose their last game by 20 points and the Eagles win their last two games by 100+ points each to finish higher on percentage. Not likely I'll grant you but still within the realms of mathematical possibility . Plenty of teams have recorded back to back 100+ point victories before. https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/consecutive-100-point-wins.854796/
mdso
Guest
The Bombers started slowly when they needed to steal the first quarter with their pace. The Bombers lost the game in the quarter. It looked to me like Richmond were playing in second gear. The Bombers once again inefficient in their forward 50, Richmond defended well but their inefficiency kept the Bombers in the game. Richmond never looked like losing the game. while the Bombers gave up so much early territory they were playing behind the 8 ball all night.
Rissole
Guest
Freo are my second team but there is no point jumping on for only two games!
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
"Oh well, I’ll have to follow my wife’s Eagles for the rest of the season." Oh, you poor poor man.
Rissole
Guest
He was probably more likely to miss with a drop punt. Bad miss regardless. Oh well, I'll have to follow my wife's Eagles for the rest of the season.
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
The Richmond Tigers have defeated the Essendon Bombers by eight points on an eventful Friday night at the MCG, ending the Bombers 2018 season and establishing the Tigers as this year’s minor premiership. Richmond dominated the field position all game, accumulating 14 more inside 50s and 12 more marks inside 50. However, their inefficiency and some desperate defending kept the Bombers just within touching distance. Dustin Martin dominated both in the middle and up forward. He collected 26 disposals, took ten goals, and kicked four goals. Devon Smith was by far the Bombers best, with 28 disposals, five tackles, and a goal. The Tigers looked to have the game sowed up when Dustin Martin ran into an open goal to stretch their lead out to 33 points half-way through the final quarter. The game turned on its head from there. The Tiger's run that held them in good stead all game stopped! The Bombers began to make the most of their dominance in the contest, collecting fast and clean clearances. The Bombers had their chances, but missed efforts from Cale Hooker and Zach Merrett will live to haunt the Bombers. Tonight almost perfectly reflects the Bombers season. A lot was expected of Essendon given the exclusion of Prestia, Cotchin, and Lambert. However, they started slower than most expected. Rarely in the contest and reliant on the mistakes of Richmond to keep them in the game. When all the chips seemed down, and no path to victory visible, the Bombers finally clicked into gear. Their runners started going, and Richmond looked defenceless against their onslaught. However, like 2018, the Bombers gave too little too late tonight, and they will have all summer to consider what could have been.
User
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, I'm sure hookers around the body would of peeved you rissoles.
Rissole
Guest
They weren't but if Merrett's shot was 30cm to the left it would have made a great last 1:30.
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Saad takes one last chance through the middle, but Rioli chases him down and WHAT A TACKLE THAT WAS. THE TIGERS HOLD ON DESPITE A GALLANT EFFORT FROM THE DONS. The Tigers are minor premiers! Richmond: 12.9.81 Essendon: 11.7.73 Full-Time
User
Roar Rookie
Winning margin off but never felt like Essendon where truly in the match.
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
The ball is thrown up, but a stalemate emerges, Heppell wins it out of the middle and goes long to Stringer, but the ball is thumped out 45 from the Bombers goal. Bellchambers dominating in the ruck. The ball falls to Merrett 52 out and his kick IS RIGHT. Richmond: 12.9.81 Essendon: 11.7.73 1 Minute Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
GOAL ESSENDON Merrett wins it out of the middle and Heppell finds the ball 40 out from goal, but he's too slow and caught with the ball. Essendon takes the ball back inside 50 and HOOKER IS FOULED 45 out. He goes back and goals. THE TIGERS HAVE JUST STOPPED. Inside two kicks now. Richmond: 12.9.81 Essendon: 11.6.72 2 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
GOAL ESSENDON Langford finds Brown in the middle, but he's too slow with the ball. Needed to just go straight away. The ball finds its way into the forward 50, but with no success. The resulting stoppage falls to Bellchambers and he goals! The Bombers are somehow gaining on the Tigers. They have a chance. Richmond: 12.9.81 Essendon: 10.6.66 4 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Tippa has the ball on the wing, he chips it down the wing and eventually, the ball is dumped haphazardly and with little effect. Richmond: 12.9.81 Essendon: 9.6.60 5 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Hooker has the ball on the wing, his kick goes deep, but the Tigers are able to win the ball and clear it without a qualm. The Bombers have been poor all night and really don't deserve to be as close as they are. Richmond: 12.9.81 Essendon: 9.6.60 6 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Conca's kick in defence is sloppy and Brown intercepts. He finds Hooker, 25 out on a slight angle. HE GOES AROUND THE CORNER AND MISSES! KICK THE DROP PUNT. That was Essendon's chance. Richmond: 12.8:80 Essendon: 9.6.60 8 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Nankervis wins a hard ball 70 out and chips it nicely to Caddy 53 out. He goes back, but it's not long enough and Francis takes a big mark. He goes down the middle, but Richmond tun harder defensively. Richmond: 12.8:80 Essendon: 9.5.59 9 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Essendon's foot skills are too sloppy to really pose any challenge for the Tiger's defence. They have had the chances, but can't make the chains effectively. Richmond: 12.8:80 Essendon: 9.5.59 11 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Goal Essendon Zaharakis gives it to Heppell, who finds Francis, and he gets it to Hooker who goals. The Bombers are coming, the Tigers have just stopped. They need to throw caution to the wind. Richmond: 12.8:80 Essendon: 9.5.59 12 Minutes Remaining
Nicholas Richardson
Roar Guru
Short dumps it on the left inside 50, but Goddard cuts it off. The Bombers are playing slow and they turn it over. Richmond is happy to slowly chip it around now and just take the sting out of the game. Richmond: 12.8:80 Essendon: 8.5.53 14 Minutes Remaining