Richmond 12.8-80 def Essendon 10.14-74

The VFL Tigers came up trumps in a heart-stopping clash on Saturday afternoon, overcoming Essendon by a solitary goal at Windy Hill.

With both sides inseparable for the majority of the day’s play, the VFL Tigers got a small break in the fourth quarter, and managed to hold on to the lead for a tense few minutes before a much-welcomed final siren sounded.

Taylor Hunt was a key performer, reeling in 33 disposals as well as a crucial goal in the dying stages of the game which consolidated the VFL Tigers’ grasp on the game.

Anthony Miles, Nathan Broad, Jake Batchelor, and debutant Dank Bzenic were also impressive in the victory that saw Richmond jump to fifth spot on the VFL ladder.

Richmond VFL and development coach Craig McRae said the thrilling victory was as good as any he had experienced in his time with the VFL program.

“That’s as good a win as I’ve had in the two years that I’ve been in this role”, McRae said.

“I’m really proud of the guys and their effort.

“Their ability to connect with each other and defend was fantastic.

“It was a really good performance.”

The opening stanza provided a clear reflection of how the game would eventuate, with either side able to pull clear of one another, despite impressive attacking forays at either end.

After the Bombers opened the scoring, James Fletcher provided an instant response with a classy set-shot from 25 metres out on a tough angle.

Following suit was Ryan Garthwaite, who emphatically slotted his first goal for the Club after marking strongly from 45 metres out, earning himself a swamping from his overjoyed teammates in the process.

Garthwaite didn’t wait until long after the break to remind the Bombers of his potency in the attacking third, pulling down another impressive mark and kicking truly to stem the tide of pressure coming from a rejuvenated home side.

His efforts were compounded when Max O’Sullivan added his first for the day, finding the goals after spectacularly outworking his opponent just outside of the goal square.

Going into the main break three points down on a freezing cold day in the city’s north, the VFL Tigers had a huge task ahead of them, facing a side who had 19 AFL-listed players on the ground.

However, even with the odds stacked against them, Richmond VFL produced a gritty, determined second half performance to seal a memorable four points.

Though the Bombers took the lead in the third quarter, the VFL Tigers were rewarded for their persistence when Jack Graham produced a gut-busting run and classy finish to reduce the deficit to under a goal.

The spotlight then came to Bzenic, who, on his first appearance in the yellow and black, unleashed a lethal snap finish to give the lead back to the travellers as the intensity grew across the ground.

Mabior Chol and Ryan Bathie then notched their first and second goals respectively to open up a two-goal lead as the third term came to a close.

With the home side’s supporters not showing any desire to have premiership points dropped on their home turf, the Bombers came out with two quick-fire goals to swing the contest back in their favour at the start of the final quarter.

Bzenic popped up again with a second goal to take back the lead, however, in a see-sawing contest, the Bombers welcomed a 50 metre penalty and made no mistake from close range.

With the two-pronged defensive juggernaut of Batchelor and Broad working overtime to deny the home side a foothold in the contest, Jayden Cass made the most of a rare venture inside 50 to dribble home his effort from 30 metres out.

Then, with the game in the balance, Hunt showed all his experience and guile with a superb set shot from 45 metres out to extend the VFL Tigers lead to eight points in the dying embers of the game.

Batchelor and Broad were again instrumental in the siege that followed, repelling waves of attack as the Bombers desperately tried to claw their way back into the game.

With the travelling Tiger fans begging for the siren to sound, the fourth quarter finally came to a close, sparking wild celebrations on and off the ground as the VFL Tigers sealed one of their most important victories of season 2017.

Now with three consecutive victories to boot, the VFL Tigers face Casey at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park Recreation Reserve next Saturday.

The match will commence at 1:00pm.