Both clubs, along with AFL Victoria, are excited to bring the Indigenous Round to the VFL, playing a curtain-raiser to the Dreamtime at the ‘G blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday night.
Richmond key forward Ty Vickery will return to the VFL side, after being squeezed out of the senior team with ruckman Ivan Maric making his AFL return.
Listen in live to VFL Radio from 1.40pm, Saturday June 31.
Jake Batchelor also returns to the team after being sidelined for a week with Achilles soreness.
The match will incorporate Indigenous culture and celebrations, with Richmond wearing the same Dreamtime guernsey as the AFL team, and pre-match ceremony with Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy.
Following the match, the winning team will be presented with the inaugural Sir Doug Nicholls Cup, and the player voted best-on-ground during the match will receive the Sir Doug Nicholls Award.
The award is named in honour of former Fitzroy and Northcote Footballer, boxer and runner, Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls. A pioneer in campaigning for Indigenous rights, Nicholls was a man who fought hard to bring about understanding and equality.
For the first time this season, the historical Jack Dyer Stand will be available for fans to sit, boosting capacity at the venue to 4000. Click here to view a venue map.
Fans that cannot attend the VFL match can listen to a live call of the game on Richmond VFL Radio, via Richmond’s official app or online.
Round 9 VFL
Richmond v Essendon
2pm, Saturday, May 31
ME Bank Centre, Punt Road Oval
Gates open at 1pm
Entry: Free for 2014 Richmond members. Adults $10, concession $5, children under 12 years – free
Richmond Round 9 VFL team
B Williams Darrou McQualter
HB Petterd Batchelor Batsanis
C O'Hanlon Miles McIntosh
HF Gordon A.Edwards Lloyd
F Arnot Vickery Banfield
R Stephenson Helbig Young
Int: Elton, Barlow, Waite, McCartney, L.Conca, Collins, Wynne, Bathie, Schibeci
