The blockbuster status of the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G clash takes on an added dimension this year with both Richmond and Essendon desperate for a win to keep their finals’ hopes alive.
Richmond has three wins on the board after nine games, while Essendon has four, so there’s not much margin for error now, as we fast approach the midway mark of the season.
Both teams have been boosted for the big match, with the Tigers’ inspirational No. 1 ruckman Ivan Maric returning for his first game at AFL level this year, following ankle surgery, and the Bombers recalling experienced trio Paul Chapman, Jason Winderlich and Ben Howlett.
It’s timely return by Maric, who will team up with Shaun Hampson to take on Essendon’s ace ruck pair Paddy Ryder and Tom Bellchambers.
Hampson produced his best game for Richmond in last Saturday’s 119-point victory over Greater Western Sydney, beating a quality opponent in Shane Mumford.
The Tigers will be looking to Hampson to provide Maric with the type of ruck support they were after when they recruited him from Carlton at the end of last year.
Apart from the ruck duels, another key factor in the outcome of the game will be the midfield battle, with plenty of talent on show – the likes of Richmond’s Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio, Brandon Ellis, Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca and Matt Thomas, up against Bombers such as Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Brendon Goddard, Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis, Heath Hocking and David Myers.
The team whose midfield can generate the most inside-50 entries, will go a long way towards winning this vital encounter.
Where: MCG
When: Saturday, May 31, 7.45pm (EST)
TV coverage: Channel 7, Fox Footy (both live from 7.30pm)
Radio coverage: 3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC
The Richmond team
B: Chaplin, Grimes, Rance
HB: Houli, Lennon, Morris
C: Grigg, Jackson, Conca
HF: Martin, Griffiths, Deledio
F: S. Edwards, Riewoldt, Maric
R: Hampson, Ellis, Cotchin
IC: McDonough, Dea, Foley, Thomas
Em: Batchelor, Petterd, Miles
In: Maric
Out: Vickery (omitted)
See the full team list and how Essendon will line-up, presented by Sportsbet.com.au
Richmond v Essendon recent history
Round 23, 2013, MCG
Richmond 4.1 5.7 11.9 15.14 (104)
Essendon 2.4 3.6 5.8 9.11 (65)
Goals – Richmond: A. Edwards 4, Vickery 4, Jackson 2, King 2, Grigg, Martin, Tuck.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Ellis 35, Jackson 30, Cotchin 29, Martin 26, Deledio 25, Petterd 24, Conca 22, Grigg 22, Foley 20.
Goals – Essendon: Hurley 2, Jetta 2, Melksham 2, Dalgleish, Howlett, Lovett-Murray.
Leading possession-getters – Essendon: Stanton 33, Hibberd 26, Goddard 25, Watson 25, Lovett-Murray 23, Melksham 20.
Round 9, 2013, MCG
Richmond 2.2 4.5 6.5 9.8 (62)
Essendon 2.3 7.7 11.9 13.13 (91)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Cotchin, S. Edwards, King, Martin, McGuane, Nahas, Vlastuin.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Jackson 29, Grigg 27, Newman 27, Houli 25, Cotchin 23, Chaplin 22, Martin 22, Vlastuin 22, S. Edwards 21.
Goals – Essendon: Crameri 3, Watson 3, Zaharakis 2, Hibberd, Howlett, Melksham, Stanton, Winderlich.
Leading possession-getters – Essendon: Stanton 39, Goddard 34, Hibberd 29, Dempsey 28, Watson 28, Heppell 27.
Round 22, 2012, MCG
Richmond 5.5 8.11 12.16 13.24 (102)
Essendon 3.2 4.6 7.9 8.9 (57)
Goals – Richmond: Riewoldt 3, Edwards 2, McGuane 2, Astbury, Deledio, Grigg, Martin, Nahas, O’Hanlon.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Deledio 33, Tuck 33, Cotchin 31, Houli 26, Martin 25, Edwards 22, Grigg 21, Newman 21.
Goals – Essendon: Monfries 3, Browne, Gumbleton, Hurley, Jetta, O’Brien.
Leading possession-getters – Essendon: Heppell 28, Hibberd 20, Watson 20, Crameri 19, Monfries 19, Stanton 19.
Round 8, 2012, MCG
Richmond 4.2 6.8 11.16 15.19 (109)
Essendon 6.2 12.7 16.9 19.14 (128)
Goals – Richmond: Cotchin 3, Edwards 3, Grigg 2, Martin 2, Deledio, Jackson, Miller, Nahas, Riewoldt.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Deledio 35, Grigg 30, Cotchin 29, Tuck 26, Foley 24, Jackson 22, Martin 21.
Goals – Essendon: Ryder 4, Monfries 3, Stanton 3, Davey 2, Jetta 2, Watson 2, Crameri, Howlett, Lovett-Murray.
Leading possession-getters – Essendon: Watson 30, Stanton 29, Dyson 23, Zaharakis 23, Howlett 22, Crameri 21.
Round 16, 2011, MCG
Richmond 5.1 7.6 9.9 9.12 (66)
Essendon 3.5 5.9 8.12 15.15 (105)
Goals – Richmond: Foley 2, Martin 2, Cotchin, Deledio, Griffiths, Riewoldt, Vickery.
Leading possession-getters – Richmond: Cotchin 27, Batchelor 22, Edwards 22, Newman 22, Foley 19.
Goals – Essendon: Crameri 3, Monfries 3, Davey, Heppell, Hille, Hocking, Jetta, McVeigh, Ryder, Stanton, Zaharakis.
Leading possession-getters – Essendon: Stanton 27, Zaharakis 27, Heppell 21, Prismall 21, Crameri 18, Hocking 18, Pears 18.
Richmond v Essendon head-to-head
- Richmond and Essendon have played 193 times, with the Tigers winning 86, losing 103 and drawing four.
- Richmond last defeated Essendon in Round 23, 2013 at the MCG – 15.14 (104 ) to 9.11 (65).
- Richmond has won five and lost five of its past 10 games against Essendon.
- Richmond and Essendon have met in nine league finals, with the Tigers winning five and losing four.
- Richmond and Essendon have met in two Grand Finals, with the Tigers winning one (1943) and losing one (1942).
- Richmond’s best winning sequence against Essendon is 11, from 1914-21.
- Richmond’s longest losing sequence against Essendon is seven, from 1987-91.
- Richmond’s highest score against Essendon is 25.22 (172), in Round 3, 1982 at the MCG.
- Richmond’s lowest score against Essendon is 3.11 (29), in Round 2, 1911 at Punt Road.
- Richmond’s greatest winning margin against Essendon is 74 points, in Round 21, 1970 at the MCG, and Round 18, 1983 at Windy Hill.
- Richmond’s greatest losing margin against Essendon is 125 points, in Round 2, 1960 at Punt Road.
- The most goals kicked by a Richmond player in a match against Essendon is 10 by Dick Harris, in Round 3, 1944 at Windy Hill.
- Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd against Essendon is 90,564, in Round 3, 1982 at the MCG.
Fast Fact: Ben Griffiths is ranked equal sixth in the competition for contested marks.
