One of the biggest matches on the AFL calendar is just around the corner. Richmond and Essendon will square off in the 15th edition of the Dreamtime at the ‘G this Saturday night.
Despite injuries to key players including Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt, Toby Nankervis and captain Trent Cotchin, the Tigers continue to go on their merry way, sitting fifth on the ladder with six wins and three losses.
After being upset by the Western Bulldogs in Round 7, Damien Hardwick’s side has hit back in the past fortnight, defeating Fremantle on the road and then Hawthorn by six goals at the MCG last weekend.
Prior to that, they’d beaten Carlton, Port Adelaide, the Sydney Swans and Melbourne while they dropped the points in consecutive matches against Collingwood and the GWS Giants in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.
Dustin Martin returned to top form against the Hawks on Sunday, racking up 37 disposals – his most in a match since Round 17 in 2017. Unfortunately, he is ineligible for this year’s Brownlow Medal after being suspended for striking the GWS Giants’ Adam Kennedy in Round 3.
Teenage sensation Sydney Stack has also proven to be a revelation for the club after making his debut against the Giants in April, though he had a quiet outing against the Hawks.
In the meantime, the Bombers ended a run of three straight losses, the last of them a controversial post-siren defeat against the Sydney Swans at the SCG, by defeating Fremantle by seven points at Marvel Stadium last Saturday night.
Boom recruit Dylan Shiel finally showed his worth to the club, kicking two goals – his first in the black and red – in the win.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
This followed the fierce criticism he copped following an underwhelming club debut against his old club, the GWS Giants, in Round 1, where Essendon lost by 72 points and were subsequently riled in the media after such a massive pre-season.
Their chances of qualifying for September this season has taken a massive hit, with reigning best-and-fairest Devon Smith to sit out the remainder of the season after opting to undergo knee surgery.
Recent history is against John Worsfold’s side, which has not won in this fixture (four straight losses), nor beaten the Tigers anywhere (eight straight losses), since Round 11, 2014, when it won by fifty points.
And their patchy form so far this season (they sit tenth on the ladder with four wins and five losses) does little to suggest that they will end their hoodoo against their sash rivals in what will be their only meeting for the 2019 season.
The corresponding match last year saw the Tigers romp to an embarrassingly easy 71-point win, which is the largest winning margin by either side since the Dreamtime at the ‘G was first launched as a daytime match in 2005.
The Bombers’ score of 6.7 (43) was also the lowest by any side in the fixture.
However, they were much more competitive when the teams met in the penultimate round of last season, losing by just eight points; a result which killed off their chances of qualifying for consecutive finals series for the first time since 2003-04.
Preceding the match will be the annual Long Walk, an initiative of Essendon legend Michael Long, in which fans march from Federation Square to the MCG as the clock ticks towards the first bounce.
While you wouldn’t say that the Bombers’ backs are against the wall, it remains to be seen whether they can take it up to a Richmond side which, despite a mounting injury toll, continues to impress in 2019.
Billbob
Roar Rookie
Oopppss silly me haha thanx teacher
Cat
Roar Guru
And they’re
Cat
Roar Guru
It’s your home game so it should be at your home ground.
david whyte
Guest
You used the wrong form of there/their six times. Nice one.
RT
Roar Rookie
Lucky it's at our home ground.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Bring it on
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
And listen to the Grumpy Cat supporter(s) whinge about having to play the Tigers at the G.
RT
Roar Rookie
It's too soon to use the same lone again.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Been busy.
Billbob
Roar Rookie
And when Essendon play for there coach then I’ll rate them, there not all in with there players coach’s and game plan, everyone can look good on paper BUT the word talented mean’s players that work there ass’s off for themselves, there team and there coach! And I can site here and say richmond does that better than anyone, and if they weren’t they wouldn’t be 6-3 by round 10. Tiger deserve some respect by true footy lovers
Billbob
Roar Rookie
The tiger statement will come in round 12........believe it u watch my roar pals
Billbob
Roar Rookie
I’ll tell you everything I think is gonna happen, dusty will kick 3 goals n 25 plus, Shiel too get 30 plus with 95% of them uncontested, Lynch too kick 4 goals and our back line too run the ball out of your forward 50 with ease AND maybe get a goal from Saads run out of his defensive 50 when bounces the ball n he misses his own hands because he does it once a match at top speed lol tiger by 35 plus
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
The Pies still haven't beaten anyone above them! Same goes for Geelong. Time to sack their coaches and have them move to Hobart. On that note … is it too soon to discuss Carlton moving to Hobart to become the Tassie Convicts?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Good to see you back TTF. Where have you been?
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
To put it simply, Essendon just aren't good enough. To kick a half decent score they'll have to really take the game on and that'll play right into the Tigers' hands. Probably another debutante this week, who said we had no depth, traded it all out? All these injuries will make us stronger long term. In the meantime, the Bombers will be just another speed hump.
Erik
Roar Rookie
Bombers might win this it will fall short imo ,I love the bombers but they might be able too win if they don't staff the game up ,if they bring the game like they had on Anzac day it will be epic it will be a epic Game too watch.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I don't mind a bit of stick.
Truejackman
Guest
Sydney Stack had a quiet game against the hawks? What game were you watching?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Am I the only one who finds Billbob a refreshing addition to The Roar? Love a commenter who just says what he thinks without fear or favour.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes Billbob, if you can do the Cats, you can have a seat on the adult's table.