For the first time since the inception of “Dreamtime at the ‘G”, both Richmond and Essendon will be in the top eight when they clash in the annual blockbuster this Saturday night.

The only other time the Tigers entered a Dreamtime match as a top eight team was the inaugural encounter back in 2005.  They were in seventh place then, but the Bombers were 14th.

This time, it’s Essendon third versus Richmond seventh, with a massive crowd expected at the MCG.

Richmond’s star midfielder, Brett Deledio, who won the Yiooken award as best-on-ground in last year’s Dreamtime game, is eagerly awaiting Saturday night’s blockbuster.

“I think it’s a great concept.  In the past, we’ve played in it when we haven’t been playing so well as a Club.  But now we’re in the top eight and so is Essendon,” Deledio said on SEN.

“It’s a great way to celebrate the indigenous culture and, hopefully, the game’s a good one.”

Richmond has got back on track, winning its past two games, to take its season record to 5-3, but Deledio is convinced there remains scope for significant improvement within the team.

“We’ve played okay, but we’re still improving and we’ve still got a lot to work on,” he said.

“The exciting thing is we’ve got some young players coming through that are playing fantastic footy and really helping us older players lift.

Here are the ladder positions of Richmond and Essendon previously, leading into each Dreamtime at the ‘G match . . .

2005:  Richmond 7^th v Essendon 14^th

2006:  Richmond 12^th v Essendon 13^th

2007:  Richmond 16^th v Essendon 10^th

2008:  Richmond 12^th v Essendon 13^th

2009:  Richmond 15^th v Essendon 8^th

2010:  Richmond 16^th v Essendon 12^th

2011:  Richmond 10^th v Essendon 3^rd

2012:  Richmond 12^th v Essendon 2^nd