The final analysis
Well, it was a 38-point win for the Tigers but there’ll be some food for thought because they weren’t as ruthless as they might have been. Dustin Martin was best on ground for his 38 possessions, 7 clearances and 6 inside 50s but Brett Deledio was excellent too with 23 and 3 goals, while skipper Trent Cotchin led from the front with 2 goals from 29 hard-nosed possessions.
The Bombers were best served by Darcy Parish (25 possessions and 2 goals), who is so unnervingly poised for one so young, while Brendon Goddard (34 touches) and David Zaharakis (30) had plenty of the ball. Anthony McDonald-Tippungwuti was about as brilliant as one could be from only 14 possessions. His tackling pressure in defence but the frighteners up Richmond forwards at all times. No-one was safe.
Essendon matched their opponents in many of the vital statistical categories tonight but came up well short on the scoreboard in a brave showing. Thanks for joining us for all the live action and please stop by for plenty more of it throughout this 2016 AFL season.
.@DustinMartin4 wins the Yiooken Award #dreamtimeattheg @Richmond_FC #AFLDonsTigers https://t.co/c0nqRJ0Owj
— AFL on 7 (@7AFL) May 28, 2016
Richmond win by 38 points!
Richmond 16.9 (105) defeat Essendon 10.7 (67)
The Tigers are home! It wasn’t as convincing as we might have predicted at three-quarter time but they’ve weathered a late surge by the admirable Bombers and they get home by 38 points.
Tigers goal! 4th quarter (1:42 remaining) Essendon 10.7 (67) vs Richmond 16.9 (105)
They haven’t been super impressive in this final term, Richmond, but at least they’re absorbing some of the pressure now. Vickery has played a big role in that with his calm demeanour and strong marking. He hauls one in outside 50 and sends a pass inside to Deledio but it’s chopped off by some desperate Essendon defence. Corey Ellis centres the ball to the top of the square soon after and Tigers captain Trent Cotchin hauls in an impressive pack mark before threading the goal. The Tigers are home!
Tigers goal! 4th quarter (9:39 remaining) Essendon 10.6 (66) vs Richmond 15.8 (98)
Gawd, Essendon go forward again from the re-start and all of a sudden they’re hunting in packs whenever the Tigers have the ball. Crowley marks 48 metres from goal and his set shot is high and straight but it pitches 5 metres short and there’s a scramble at the line. Merrett takes a snap and misses. Ooft. Shaun Hampson is having a bit of a shocker too. He’s outmuscled by Jamar on the wing and then gives away a 50-metre penalty, which leads to further comedy when Goddard grabs a handball in 20 metres of space but misses his shot on goal. Where were the Tigers defenders? They’re asleep at the wheel, Richmond.
McDonald Tipungwuti is inspiring real belief in his side here as he rebounds from defence with pace and no small amount of excitement but it’s turnover city as both sides hack the ball about and shoot themselves in the foot. Finally Ty Vickery steps up to the plate, gathering near goal, shrugging off a man who might have brought him down and snapping the goal. Richmond fans can breathe again.
Bombers goal! 4th quarter (16:46 remaining) Essendon 10.4 (64) vs Richmond 14.8 (92)
Orazio Fantasia provides Richmond with another hairy moment when he sprints into pace and fires away at goal but he misses. The danger is not cleared though. Up steps Joe Daniher with a strong mark in front of Alex Rance only 15 metres from goal and he hammers it through. Hmm, this just got a little interesting. Richmond couldn’t possible make a hash of this one, could they?
Essendon goal! 4th quarter (18:13 remaining) Essendon 9.3 (57) vs Richmond 14.8 (92)
There’s some bad news for Bomber fans out of the three-quarter time huddle, with defender Michael Hartley limping off with an ice pack on his injured hamstring. He’ll play no further part tonight. Could that help the Tigers streak away to a percentage-booster? They go straight forward from the bounce and Martin thinks he’s through for a shot but yet again, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti ignites his jet-boosters and runs him down from behind. Even better for the Dons, that allows them to head forward with intent and Darcy Parish scoots clear of a defender to boot another goal.
Three-quarter time: Richmond lead by 41 points
Three-quarter time: Essendon 8.3 (51) vs Richmond 14.8 (92)
And that’s it for the quarter. It wasn’t high class stuff but the Tigers have done enough to push their lead out to 41 points. There’ll be no overhaul job from the Bombers, but they’ve been admirable again tonight.
Updated
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (0:03 remaining) Essendon 8.3 (51) vs Richmond 14.8 (92)
Riewoldt gets a classically Riewoldtian goal when the ball tumbles over the back of the pack and Rioli taps it across fro his teammate to run into an open goal, but he deserves that one, big Jack. He’s done the team things tonight, as ever.
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (1:38 remaining) Essendon 8.3 (51) vs Richmond 13.8 (86)
Grigg’s got another. Game, set and match, you’d think. He was 35 metres out on a slight angle and it was a bit of a pitching wedge but it sailed straight over the umpire’s hat. The Tigers are probably home and hosed.
Bombers goal! 3rd quarter (3:22 remaining) Essendon 8.3 (51) vs Richmond 12.8 (80)
How old is Adam Cooney looking? No offence to him, of course. He’s been through the ringer. And he’s a champion – one who adds veteran nous to this oddball squad. But geez he’s creaking away. Meanwhile, Mitch Brown is on track for his second goal of the night when he works hard for a mark 30 metres from goal and he does indeed convert it. There’s not much else to be said for this game right now, though Essendon could still probably pinch it if Richmond don’t watch themselves.
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (8:18 remaining) Essendon 7.2 (44) vs Richmond 12.8 (80)
Immediate answer from the Tigers and it’s Brett Deledio again, slamming through his third goal and giving the kind of fist pump that indicates he wouldn’t mind a few more. In the process of that happening Essendon have lost Craig Bird with a bloodied face and Cameron Ling MD has made an early call: broken nose.
Essendon goal! 3rd quarter (9:40 remaining) Essendon 7.2 (44) vs Richmond 11.8 (74)
It’s been one-way traffic in this third term and even when Baguley sends the Bombers forward it ends up in a straightforward, uncontested intercept by Dylan Grimes, who’s been cooling his jets for a while. But fear not Bombers, for Orazio Fantasia is on the prowl and after a shimmy-shake or two he scoops a handball to Darcy Parish and the first-year gem nails a left-footed drop punt through the middle under a heap of pressure. He’s been excellent tonight.
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (12:55 remaining) Essendon 6.2 (38) vs Richmond 11.8 (74)
This is a bit of a procession now. There’s a stoppage 30 metres from Richmond’s goal and Trent Cothin sharks it, spearing a quick snap through for a six-pointer. Too easy.
It's #TyTime at the 'G! #AFLDonsTigers pic.twitter.com/fL1GezhfGn
— AFL (@AFL) May 28, 2016
Updated
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (13:24 remaining) Essendon 6.2 (38) vs Richmond 10.8 (68)
As the action restarts there’s vision of former Tiger stringbean Ray Hall talking to club CEO Brendon Gale and Matthew Richardson uses it as a segue to talk about Hall’s diplomatic work in Jordan, though not in specific detail. “Great story, that is,” is Luke Darcy’s appraisal, before he’s heard anything you’d even call an anecdote. Ty Vickery, meanwhile, snags another sausage roll. Have Essendon shot their bolt? I fear so.
Tigers goal! 3rd quarter (14:58 remaining) Essendon 6.2 (38) vs Richmond 9.8 (62)
We’re under way in the second term and fittingly enough, it’s Dustin Martin with the first scoring chance but his dribbled banana-kick from 30 metres out is ushered through for a behind by Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Probably should have used his left boot there. Soon after Jack Riewoldt marks high up the wing and sends an inch-perfect pass inside 50 and onto the chest of Ben Griffiths but he too misses his chance. Could the Tigers rue this wastefulness in an hour’s time?
There’s a moment of high farce when the umpire almost call for a ‘score review’ when they think McDonald-Tipungwuti’s kick-in has passed the boundary line without being touched but eventually they throw it in. It says something of the rest of the action that it’s the most exciting thing that’s happened so far. Right as I say that the ball is scrubbed forward for Sam Lloyd to mark and convert at point blank range.
Those first half stats
Dustin Martin was everywhere for the Tigers, racking up 21 possessions, 9 of which were contested. Brett Deledio was lethal with 17 touches and 2 goals, Shane Edwards has 15 and a goal and though he’s also only managed one major so far, Jack Riewoldt has been a constant threat.
David Zaharakis was the best of the Bombers with 21 possessions, 8 clearances and 5 Inside-50s, while Brendon Goddard (17) and Darcy Parish (13) have also offered poise and polish. Orazio Fantasia has been a catalyst with 2 goals from limited opportunities and if he can hold a few more marks, Joe Daniher will have an impact too.
Interestingly, Essendon lead the inside-50s (+4) and contested possessions (+9), but sit -13 for tackles and -5 for clearances.
Half-time: Richmond lead by 16 points but the Bombers are coming!
Bombers goal after the siren! Half-time: Essendon 6.2 (38) vs Richmond 8.6 (54)
Much to the annoyance of the Richmond faithful, Orazio Fantasia makes no mistake with a shot after the siren and all of a sudden the Dons have won this quarter! Oh dear. That’s awful from Richmond. They look like a funeral procession as they head towards the rooms. In fact Alex Rance stops them and gives the huddle an absolute pasting. They deserve it. They should have buried Essendon in the first stages of that second term but it turned into a slog and the Dons booted two goals in the final 90 seconds of the half to head to the sheds with renewed hope.
Bombers goal! 2nd quarter (1:15 remaining) Essendon 5.2 (32) vs Richmond 8.6 (54)
I’ve mentioned Dustin Martin a few times tonight and he’s in genuinely blistering form as this half meanders to its conclusion; 21 possessions so far and the Bombers still can’t tame him. David Zaharakis is the other heavy ball-winner so far with 18. Meanwhile, Joe Daniher has finally broken an interminable deadlock when he belts through a flat, helicopter punt on the run after marking 60 metres out and playing on. Essendon are still in this, just quietly.
Tigers goal! 2nd quarter (6:15 remaining) Essendon 4.2 (26) vs Richmond 8.6 (54)
I’m trying to rank the quality of this play with an analogy from another sport. That part of an NBA blow-out where the players actually just stop doing anything in the final 20 seconds and walk off with towels on their shoulders? It’s not much of a spectacle. But cometh the hour, cometh Sam Lloyd, who becomes the second man tonight after Griffiths to posterise James Gwilt. Lloyd goes one better, really digging his studs into the small of the defenders’ back before hauling in the mark and converting his 20 metre shot.
Bombers goal! 2nd quarter (8:46 remaining) Essendon 4.2 (26) vs Richmond 7.6 (48)
The Tigers are toying with their opposition here but also – if you’re a Richmond fan of nervous disposition – not quite burying them at the same time. The former player at the moment is Jack Riewoldt, who misses a sitter to start the term but is now marauding around like peak Jason Dunstall. He marks 50 metres out, leans back on another set shot but misses marginally. Brian Taylor bellows something pertaining to the fact that it was actually a decent shot and for once, I have to agree.
At the other end and on the other hand, Joe Daniher’s not quite holding onto them, even without pressure coming from behind. Three times in the space of two minutes he leaps for marks and can’t quite clunk them. His struggles are mirrored by the game itself, which was a belter in the first term but has regressed since. Finally Ryan Crowley marks in the square and belts it through to put us out of our misery. Didn’t even realise he was playing until then.
Tigers goal! 2nd quarter (17:21 remaining) Essendon 3.2 (20) vs Richmond 7.5 (47)
We’re off and running in the second term and it’s the Tigers who go inside 50 first but Daniel Rioli’s kick inside 50 is misdirected so Courtenay Dempsay steps up for his third intercept mark of the night. Unfortunately for the Bombers it’s back inside the Tigers’ attacking zone as quickly as it’s cleared and Jack Riewoldt marks one 20 metres from goal, straight in front. You can’t miss from there. Ooh...maybe you can. Riewoldt has a ‘mare here and misses by miles. He looks like someone’s stolen the jam from his donut. No matter, a minute or two later he does that quintessentially Jack Riewoldt thing; marking 55 metres out and smashing through a far harder goal than the one he bungled. Shine on, Jack. Shine on.
Updated
Quarter time! Richmond lead by 20 points
Quarter time: Essendon 3.1 (19) vs Richmond 6.3 (39)
That’s all she wrote for the first term but what a belter it was; 12 goals, a couple of momentum swings and some genuinely absorbing footy. The Tigers have the lead but Essendon have been plucky and threatening in equal measure.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (0:50 remaining) Essendon 3.1 (19) vs Richmond 6.3 (39)
Richmond get another! This time Deledio streaks free inside 50, sprinting in towards goal with a 35-metre run that makes the result of his running shot a certainty. That’s a shame for the Bombers. They were on a roll a few minutes ago but the Tigers have slammed through a couple of quick ones to re-establish their buffer.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (1:21 remaining) Essendon 3.1 (19) vs Richmond 5.3 (33)
Richmond are under siege at the moment but rain is absolutely tumbling down at the MCG, which could make scoring difficult. In the meantime Richmond do better with a route one approach and Vickery picks out Riewoldt 40 metres out on a slight angle. He goes back, methodically approaches but leans back a little on the shot and that sends it wide to the left. From there it’s end-to-end stuff and Shaun Grigg waltzes through the middle unmolested to bang through a crowd-lifting 50-metre goal on the run! This is free-flowing, thrilling footy right now. It’s a real contest.
Updated
Bombers goal! 1st quarter (3:57 remaining) Essendon 3.1 (19) vs Richmond 4.2 (26)
The Bombers have another! This time it’s their first-gamer Mark Jamar, who is artlessly and illegally tackled by Shaun Hampson when crouched over the ball 30 metres from goa, directly in front. ‘The big Russian’ goes back and threads it!
Bombers goal! 1st quarter (5:06 remaining) Essendon 2.1 (13) vs Richmond 4.2 (26)
After an unselfish centering ball from Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio makes a real hash of a regulation set shot from 35 metres out so the Dons get a bit of a let-off. They swing it down the other end and after much hackery and scrap, Orazio Fantasia races through around a goal square pack and sharks a goal at close range. He’d flubbed a chance moments earlier but has looked a livewire so far. Boy did his side need that one.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (8:22 remaining) Essendon 1.1 (7) vs Richmond 4.1 (25)
Dustin Martin almost breaks a string of tackles inside 50 for the Tigers but Brendon Goddard is somehow man enough to hold onto him and strip the ball in one motion, so relieves the pressure for the Bombers. They go forward immediately and Fantasia briefly looks like he’ll run into an open goal but the Tigers swamp him. Luck’s a fortune for the Tigers when James Kelly tried a between-the-legs handball through an opponent but turns it over, whereupon Trent Cotchin wiggles a left-footed pass inside attack to Shane Edwards and Edwards make no mistake with his 40-metre set shot. Bang!
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (11:57 remaining) Essendon 1.1 (7) vs Richmond 3.1 (19)
Shaun Hampson has been doing a power of work in the ruck for the Tigers in the last month and the early stages of this game are no exception. The Tigers head forward on the southern side of the ground and under a decent measure of pressure, Shaun Grigg picks out Ty Vickery 25 metres from goal on a 45 degree angle. Vickery is keen to play on and pass but eventually settles on a set shot, splitting the middle and high-fiving his teammates enthusiastically.
Bombers goal! 1st quarter (13:31 remaining) Essendon 1.1 (7) vs Richmond 2.1 (13)
The Bombers are on the board! Mitch Brown is the man who stands up, marking 35 metres out on a slight angle and making no mistake with the set shot to get his side back into the contest. Essendon needed a steadying goal and there it is. Brown’s now the Bombers’ leading goal kicker for the year with 12.
Updated
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (14:15 remaining) Essendon 0.1 (1) vs Richmond 2.1 (13)
Now it’s Dustin Martin bullocking his way through the middle and Griffiths draws a free kick higher up the ground in front of Gwilt. Nothing comes of that so the Dons go inside 50 for the first time tonight but Joe Daniher’s long bomb is cut off by little Steve Morris. The Dons trap it inside 50 and Shaun Edwards has a hurried shot at goal but it’s off line.
It’s bitterly cold at the MCG and the conditions are a little greasy too, so Jake Batchelor errs in gifting Mark Baguley a shot at goal when the Bombers go forward again because marking anything is tough work in these early stages. Not to worry, Baguley shanks his 45-metre set shot out on the full. The Tigers swing it down the other and and there’s a missed snap by Kane Lambert, but not long after Brett Deledio has a set shot 40 metres out and makes no mistake swinging it back through the middle. This is a perfect start for Richmond.
Tigers goal! 1st quarter (19:16 remaining) Essendon 0.0 (0) vs Richmond 1.0 (6)
And we’re under way at the MCG. Shane Edwards wins the first clear possession forward and it’s a beauty because it allows Ben Griffiths to use James Gwilt as a step-ladder and haul in a huge mark. He goes back on the mark, approaches with intent and bangs it through! The Tigers are off and away inside the first 60 seconds!
The toss
First-year speedster Daniel Rioli wins it for the Tigers and elects to kick towards the city end. Let’s do this!
Updated
War dances in tribute to Sir Doug Nicholls
Both teams now stop to celebrate a pair of traditional dances they’ve developed especially for this occasion, which reflect both Indigenous Australian culture and that of the Richmond and Essendon football clubs themselves. Tonight the Bombers will wear a guernsey designed by their 1993 premiership hero Gavin Wanganeen.
Greg from @B2Mskinnyfish leading the Bombers war cry. #AFLTigersBombers
— BRIGGS AKA BIG SIGH (@BriggsGE) May 28, 2016
Bannerwatch
Here’s Richmond’s effort:
The banner dedicated to @cultureislife
— Richmond FC (@Richmond_FC) May 28, 2016
Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture #DreamtimeAtTheG pic.twitter.com/HEJWEccDxf
A little bit of history tonight
It’s Bombers coach John Worsfold’s 500th AFL game (when you combine his appearances as a player and coach), which puts him in the company of only Rodney Eade and Paul Roos among current coaches. What better way to celebrate than with ‘Worsfold’s Greatest Hits’?
Updated
And another note on Fremantle before we get cracking at the ‘G
...it might be time for Matt Taberner to admit it’s not his night.
Taberner's terrible miss. #AFLSaintsFreo pic.twitter.com/rDzyhmbsCn
— AFL (@AFL) May 28, 2016
Elsewhere right now
St Kilda look increasingly likely of consigning Fremantle to a 0-10 start to the season, which comes with an added heaping of Ross Lyon schadenfreude for Saints fans. The social media department? They’ve gone anime.
#BAROOSE! #AFLSaintsFreo pic.twitter.com/9zOZRuhh9U
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) May 28, 2016
Preamble
Hello all and welcome to tonight’s live AFL action – Dreamtime at the ‘G! Neither of these sides looks likely to have a say come September and Richmond are raging favourites tonight ($1.12 with the bookies, in fact) but this game often produces a ripping contest, so here’s hoping that’ll be the case tonight.
Let’s get things started with the teams for tonight. There’s one change, with former Dees ruckman Mark Jamar making his Dons debut and replacing Matthew Leuenberger.
Essendon: Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hartley, Mark Baguley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, James Gwilt, Matt Dea, Patrick Ambrose, David Zaharakis, Zach Merrett, Brendon Goddard, Mitch Brown, Orazio Fantasia, Shaun Edwards, Joe Daniher, Adam Cooney, Mark Jamar, Craig Bird, Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish, Martin Gleeson, James Kelly, Ryan Crowley
Richmond: Dylan Grimes, David Astbury, Alex Rance, Kane Lambert, Taylor Hunt, Jake Batchelor, Steven Morris, Shaun Grigg, Brandon Ellis, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Daniel Rioli, Jack Riewoldt, Sam Lloyd, Shane Edwards, Shaun Hampson, Brett Deledio, Ben Griffiths, Nick Vlastuin, Anthony Miles, Ty Vickery, Corey Ellis
Hope everyone got here early to enjoy all the entertainment! #AFLDonsTigers #DreamtimeAtTheG pic.twitter.com/bGexov39Y3
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) May 28, 2016
Russell will be with you shortly, but before we get cracking with this Dreamtime at the ‘G fixture, check out David Squires’ special Indigenous Round cartoon.
