The duel between in-form Richmond full-back Alex Rance, and dangerous Essendon spearhead Jake Carlisle, shapes as key factor to the outcome of tonight’s big clash at the MCG.

Rance’s return from a broken foot, which he suffered early this season, has been a catalyst in the Tigers’ form turnaround over the past few weeks.

He, arguably, is in the best form of his career, combining strong defensive work, with impressive attacking flair.

But Rance knows he faces a major challenge against the tall Bomber match-winner, who destroyed Collingwood, with four goals in Round 17, and the Western Bulldogs, with eight goals in Round 18.

“It’s a job that ‘Rancey’ has obviously asked for this week,” Richmond assistant coach Danny Daly said on this week’s ‘Roar Vision Spotlight’.

“It’s going to be a big job for him . . . but the ability of our midfielders to put pressure on their midfielders will certainly help Rancey.

“It’s a massive job for Rancey, and it’s one that he’s looking forward to . . . he’s played some terrific footy as well.

“We don’t want them (Essendon) to have the ability to run and carry through the midfield and then get the ball in deep to him (Carlisle) one-on-one.

“Our pressure between the arcs is going to be really important in holding them up and allowing our defence to set up against them . . .

“Rancey’s got the ability to beat him one-on-one, but he’ll obviously be helped by our ability up the field to slow them down and not allow them to do hit-ups through the corridor.”

Where:  MCG
When:  Friday, August 8, 7.50pm (EST)
TV coverage:  Channel 7, Fox Footy (both live from 7.30pm)
Radio coverage:  3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC

The Richmond team
B: Chaplin, Batchelor, Rance
HB: Houli, Newman, Morris
C: Foley, Cotchin, Miles
HF: Martin, Griffiths, Deledio
F: S.Edwards, Riewoldt, Gordon
R: Maric, Ellis, Thomas
IC: Petterd, Vlastuin, Grigg, Grimes
Em: Dea, A.Edwards, Lennon
In: Grigg, Morris
Out: Conca (suspended), Lloyd (omitted)
Milestone:  Foley, 150^th game, Thomas, 100^th game

The Essendon team
B:  Baguley, Hooker, Dempsey
HB:  Winderlich, Hurley, Myers
C:  Zaharakis, Stanton, Colyer
HF:  Goddard, Daniher, Howlett
F:  Chapman, Carlisle, Z. Merrett
R:  Ryder, Hocking, Heppell
IC:  Fantasia, Melksham, Kavanagh, Dell ‘Olio
Em:  Bellchambers, Steinberg, J. Merrett
In:  Daniher, Fantasia, Melksham, Kavanagh
Out:  Ambrose (jaw), Fletcher (groin), Bellchambers (omitted), J. Merrett (omitted)

 

Richmond v Essendon recent history

Round 11, 2014, MCG

Richmond            0.1          3.5          3.8          7.12  (54)

Essendon            4.4          9.8          11.11     15.14  (104)

Goals – Richmond:  Riewoldt 3, Martin 2, Cotchin, S. Edwards.

Leading possession-getters – Richmond:  Martin 28, Ellis 26, Cotchin 25, Houli 25, Thomas 23, Chaplin 21, Deledio 20, S. Edwards 20.

Goals – Essendon:  Howlett 5, Daniher 3, Merrett 2, Bellchambers, Chapman, Fletcher, Heppell, Hibberd.

Leading possession-getters – Essendon:  Watson 36, Zaharakis 31, Goddard 30, Stanton 27, Fletcher 25, Merrett 22, Heppell 21, Carlisle 20.

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.

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 four and lost six 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.