Richmond VFL has gotten back to winning ways convincingly, beating Essendon in Dreamtime at the ‘G by 61 points.
The Tigers completed a 171-point turnaround from last Sunday’s 110-point loss to Sandringham after beating their arch-rival on Saturday afternoon, 20.7 (127) to 10.6 (66).
It was an impressive 20-goal showing, the antithesis of the three-goal outing from the Tigers’ Round 8 loss to Sandringham.
Led by Joel Garner (30 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances), the stand-in co-skipper and Sir Doug Nichols Trophy winner for best afield, the Tigers flexed their muscles in the second half to convert twelve goals to Essendon’s three and emerge as dominant winners.
Early in the contest, the Tigers’ accuracy in front of goal was on show. Through eight different goalkickers, they converted as many majors before registering a behind.
In an evenly contested first quarter, Tom Brindley (24 disposals, 10 marks, 10 hit-outs, five clearances) was a standout in the ruck in the absence of Samson Ryan (AFL recall) and Sam Naismith (injured).
Kaleb Smith (23 disposals, five marks, one goal) and Sam Davidson (20 disposals, seven marks, three goals) also continued their rich vein of form.
Smith was again influential from half-back and continues to stake his claim for senior selection.
In an evenly fought-out first half that saw the Tigers take a slim three-point lead into the main break, a positive was the performance of debutant Harry Scott.
Scott was influential with 19 disposals, four tackles and four clearances.
In the third quarter, the Tigers piled on five straight majors before Essendon registered a score.
As the five-goal blitz saw Richmond break away from the Bombers, tall forward Archie May was causing problems for the Bombers' defence.
May finished with 17 disposals, four goals and 11 marks.
The Tigers established control of the contest in commanding fashion and entered the final term with a 31-point buffer.
Stand-in co-skipper Chad Harris (23 disposals, 10 marks, three clearances) was instrumental in Richmond’s dominant second half showing.
In the final term, there were no signs of a Bomber comeback. The Tigers hit their opponents for seven goals in the quarter, with late goals from Nick Guiney, Matthew Coulthard and Harrison White extending the full-time margin out to 61 points.
On a special occasion, the VFL Tigers emerged victorious against the Bombers for Dreamtime at the ‘G.
After taking away the Pat Cronin Medal in Round 8 against Sandringham, the Best on Ground award becomes Garner's second in as many weeks.
The Tigers have risen to ninth on the Smithy’s VFL Ladder and have boosted their percentage to 97.8% from 87.2%.
They will look ahead to their next challenge against the Geelong Cats on Saturday, June 1 at GMHBA Stadium.
Richmond 6.0 8.2 13.6 20.7 (127)
Essendon 5.3 7.5 8.5 10.6 (66)
Goalkickers: May (4), Davidson (3), Olden (3), White (2), Coulthard (2), McCarthy, Wilson, George, Koschitzke, Smith, Guiney
Best: Garner, May, Brindley, Harris, Davidson, Koschitzke, Wilson
