“Let’s be proud of the way we play.”

That was coach Steve Morris’ lasting message to the VFL Tigers in preparation for their Dreamtime at the ‘G clash with Essendon.

Richmond bounced back from its loss to Box Hill last week, by grinding out a 33-point win over the Bombers.

Hugo Ralphsmith was awarded the Sir Doug Nicholls Award for best afield as the Tigers held Essendon at bay, with the final score reading, 10.19 (79) to 6.10 (46).

“Be aggressive, explosive and crack in.”

That’s what Sydney Stack wanted to see from his brethren.

Stack embodied his pre-game plea, applying bone-jarring tackles, producing gut-busting runs and jagging three classy goals, two to kick-off the last quarter, which helped lift his side to victory.

The defensive intent of the Tigers was there for all to see from the outset.

The gliding gait of Ralphsmith across the hallowed turf of the MCG was a main feature of the opening term as Richmond injected speed into the game at will.

Thomson Dow and Riley Collier-Dawkins were stiff in the contest and prolific between the arcs, whilst Ben Miller, Bigoa Nyuon and Tom Brown were staunch backward of centre.

Miller was back to his imperious best at this level, showing superiority in the air and creativity with ball in hand.

Nyuon had a tricky first half coming back from his AFL debut but plied his trade in the second half in the manner we have become accustomed to in 2022.

The defensive trio were handsomely support by the grunt and bounce of Will Martyn and Massimo D’Ambrosio who quelled their opponents and then repelled with conviction.

D’Ambrosio’s pure ball handling and adventurous disposal assisted the Tigers with getting speed on the ball and rebounding with venom from the back-half.

Sam Tucker got the Tigers off on the right foot with his debut goal on the ‘G before Noah Cumberland added to his 2022 goal tally with a snap from congestion.

Samson Ryan built on his strong return to the side last week by providing a strong aerial contest inside forward 50.

Ryan was rewarded with a free-kick and subsequent goal.

Stack then showcased his defensive engagement by grasping a forward-50 intercept, he shaped to pass, was called to play on, stepped the man on the mark and nailed his first goal.

Richmond skated to an early four-goal lead and was sticking true to its touch-points spoken about pre-game.

The Tigers were able to stifle and stimy the Bombers ball movement in the opening term which unfortunately did not carry into the second term.

Essendon was able to fight through Richmond’s defensive layers and find players free forward of centre.

The speed and fluency in which the Tigers moved the ball in the first quarter slight dissipated and the Bombers were able to capitalise on the turnover.

Richmond needed a flicker, with Ralphsmith and Sam Banks happy to oblige.

The Tigers won the ball back deep in their defensive 50 with Nyuon spotting Banks free on the paint of 50.

Banks put his head down as Ralphsmith sidled up alongside the wingman to ride shotgun before receiving and sharp handball.

Ralphsmith caressed the ball into the waiting hands of Cumberland who coolly slotted his second goal of the game on the stroke of half-time.

Richmond took a 20-point buffer into the main break after the Bombers got themselves back into the game in the second term.

The third quarter replicated the second, with both sides applying manic pressure around the ball, but struggled to cap off their good work on the scoreboard.

Judson Clarke seemed about as at home on the ‘G as anyone, as the nippy and electric half forward leant on his strengths to kick one of the goals of the game in the third term.

Clarke gathered the ball at half forward, looked back at the defender on his hammer, kicked it up a gear and snapped truly on his left.

Richmond’s only goal in the third term would have whet the appetite for the Tiger Army and was a glimpse into the future of viewing Clarke on this very ground for years to come.

The Tigers hunt at the man and ball was a feature of their third quarter, as they were able create turnovers and gain territory.

The main issue was converting that territory gain into scoreboard pressure which changed at the beginning of the last quarter courtesy of Stack.

Stack’s first goal was a result of Richmond remaining connected in transition and committed at the contest, his second was born from sheer brilliance.

The right-foot banana at the Ponsford Stand end sealed the win on a special night for Stack and the Richmond brotherhood.

RICH   4.5       5.11     6.15     10.19 (79)

ESS     1.1       3.3       5.6       6.10 (46)

Goalkickers:

Richmond: Stack (3), Cumberland (3), Clarke, Ryan, Tucker, Sexton