Richmond have dashed Essendon’s finals hopes and secured top spot on the AFL ladder with a hard-fought eight-point win at the MCG.
The Tigers were cruising at 33 points up in the final term, but had to hold off a late blitz by the Bombers to record the 12.9 (81) to 11.7 (73) in front of 76,424 fans on Friday night.
Dustin Martin (26 possessions) and Josh Caddy starred with four goals apiece in the victory that extended Richmond’s record-breaking run of wins at the ground to 20.
The Tigers led by a game-high 33 points when Martin kicked his fourth early in the final term, but Cale Hooker kicked three goals to set up a tense finale.
Zach Merrett missed a tough shot in the dying minutes for Essendon and Daniel Rioli sealed the win with a brilliant chase-down tackle of Bombers speedster Adam Saad.
Ominously for the rest of the competition, Damien Hardwick’s men secured the win without premiership skipper Trent Cotchin and grand final stars Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert and David Astbury, who were all out injured.
“It was a terrible game of footy, I thought, but I was happy with the win,” Hardwick said.
“We persevered.
“They threw everything at us in the last quarter … it was an ok performance.”
David Zaharakis (30 disposals), Devon Smith (28) and Dyson Heppell (25) were influential for the Bombers, who won’t play finals despite strong form in the second half of the season.
“The message to the players is around what we learnt from the game,” Bombers coach John Worsfold said of his post-match address.
“‘Where are we at as a group? Are we comfortable with that and where is the improvement going to come from?’
“We’ve done a lot of good things this year … we’ve worked unbelievably hard.
“I would say that hard work will be rewarded.”
Essendon started brightly enough, but the Tigers kicked four goals straight to lead by nine points at quarter-time.
Smith suffered a moment of madness and can count himself lucky his wild left-arm swing missed Kamdyn McIntosh’s jaw by the barest of margins.
Hardwick’s men ramped up the pressure in the second term but couldn’t capitalise on a lopsided 18-8 inside 50 count for the quarter.
They scored six behinds before Caddy converted from a tight angle to restore an eight-point advantage at halftime.
Caddy goaled from two spectacular marks in the third term as the Tigers set up a 21-point lead at the last break.
Hooker was well-held by Alex Rance, but he gave his side a faint hope with his three-goal burst in the last quarter before Richmond steadied to see off the challenge.
Practising Muslim players Bachar Houli and Saad embraced at the coin toss before the game in a show of solidarity after divisive remarks made by Senator Fraser Anning in federal parliament this week.
Slane
Guest
They have pretty much just been putting themselves into a winning position in the last quarter and then switching into time wasting mode. They were putting teams to the sword at this stage last year. Hopefully they can find that next gear for the finals. Otherwise the finals are going to be a lot tighter than they were last year.
PeteB
Guest
It feels like the Tigers have been cruising for most of the year just doing enough to keep winning. Many of their second tier players have been stepping up and doing the hard work. If they switch up tempo like they did in the finals last year it’s a foregone conclusion.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Yeah, you are right! Not playing well. Hopefully we get 5 or 6 back and give it our best shot come finals. A work in progress, sitting 17-4. Gives me hope for a good finals series. Essendon not a factor. Geelong, well that remains to be seen. They wouldn't want Hawthorn week 1.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Tigers aren't in their best form with Cats and Bombers better sides in final quarters. They keep winning though but won't want to take their current form into a qualifying final.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I think Hooker has been carrying an injury so I would rest him for the last game. Replace Hooker on the forward line with a resting ruck. Depending on match ups McNiece might replace Dea. McNiece may be a long term replacement for Baguley. Guelfi would have been somewhat underdone last night but he has had a very good season, especially given that he was taken with pick 76. Begley, Gleeson, Ridley, Redman and of course Daniher will cause selection headaches next year. Essendon need an elite inside midfielder even with Langford's continuing development, and Settlefield from GWS would be handy as well. McKernan and Brown have been surprisingly good this year, but I think there is only room for one of them on the forward line as talls along with Daniher and Stringer. Brown has the advantage that he can play back.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
As comfortable a win, albeit by only 9 points, as you would see.
Rissole
Guest
Would you play two rucks then? Or just put Belly up forward to have a look at Draper? I am doubting Goddard will get another contract. McGrath played his role to perfection against the Saints whene Goddard went off. I'm also excited for next year, we beat a lot of good teams this season.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
It's a pity, the Bombres going down takes out a chunk of the potential round 23 mayhem. They just weren't clean enough with their ball handling early in the last and gave up their first use opportunities to Richmond who duly stretched the lead to over 30, making the hill the Bombres had climb in the 4th a little too steep.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I would like to see Draper given his first game against Port Adelaide next week. The scoreline flattered Essendon but with Fantasia and Daniher back next year, one or more inside midfielders traded in and more experience of the players playing together we will be right up there. Goddard has been very good for the Club and he would have two good years of football in him but the salary cap might mean that he would do better to continue elsewhere and no doubt he would have much to offer on and off the field coaching.
Rissole
Guest
Good for the Bombers to play Richmond before the off-season so it's fresh in their minds just how much work they need to do. Really lacked a marking target up forward last night. Devon Smith to win the B&F while Bellchambers and Heppell have put together very fine seasons.
Swannies
Guest
This Richmond side could become Threemond in 2019.