Dustin Martin must get his pen out and put a circle around the Dreamtime clash with Essendon each year.

Even though this year's contest was very different to every other – shifted from the MCG to TIO Stadium in Darwin due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria – the brilliant Richmond midfielder did what he always does and put the Bombers to the sword.

06:06

Punt Road to Glory: Round 13

Richmond's road to premiership glory in 2020 will be re-lived through match reports and video highlights of each Tigers win during the season. Today we look at the Round 13 Dreamtime in Darwin victory over Essendon.

The two-time Norm Smith medallist and dual premiership star steered the Tigers to a 12-point win over the Bombers in the Top End, amassing 29 disposals, seven clearances, nine score involvements and nine inside-50s in a dominant midfield display.

The Bombers are no strangers to Martin's impact, having seen him average 32 disposals and collect 15 Brownlow Medal votes in his previous six games against Essendon.

Shai Bolton was also excellent with 28 disposals and a goal as the rising Indigenous Tigers star claimed his first Yiooken Award voted as the best afield.

But the Tigers' inefficiency kept the Bombers in the game longer than Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have liked.

Richmond's inaccuracy was evident in the 10.13 (73) to 10.1 (61) result as they controlled the inside-50 count, restricting Essendon to only nine entries for the first half. The Bombers recorded just 24 entries for the game to Richmond's 66.

DREAMTIME IN DARWIN WRAP UP
  • 08:08

    Round 13: Hardwick post-match

    Watch Damien Hardwick's press conference after the round 13 match against Essendon.

    AFL
  • 06:06

    Round 13: Match highlights

    Watch the highlights from the Dreamtime in Darwin match against Essendon.

    AFL
  • 00:25

    Team song: Richmond

    Watch the Tigers celebrate their round 13 win

    AFL
  • 03:33

    Round 13: Shai Bolton wins best on ground

    Shai Bolton chats to channel Seven about the Dreamtime match and designing the Dreamtime guernsey.

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  • 01:51

    Round 13: Rioli 'I'm going to treasure this for the rest of my life'

    Daniel Rioli chats to the media following the Round 13 win over Essendon.

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  • 01:09

    Round 13: Martin 'Probably my favorite game of the year'

    Dustin Martin chats to the media following the Round 13 win over Essendon.

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  • 00:32

    Round 13: Lynch holds on to mark despite heavy collision

    Essendon backman Adam Saad goes his hardest in this contest with Tom Lynch.

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  • 00:15

    Round 13: Dusty in the goal square

    If Dusty has the ball in the goal square there is usually only one result.

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  • 00:15

    Round 13: Bolton with the snap

    Shai Bolton is front and centre and kicks an important goal for the Tiges.

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  • 00:16

    Round 13: Grimes takes a hanger

    Dylan Grimes flies and takes a great mark.

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  • 02:08

    Round 13: Richard Fejo delivers welcome to Dreamtime in Darwin

    Watch the pre-match ceremony for the first-ever Dreamtime match held in Darwin.

    AFL

In the humid and sweaty Northern Territory conditions the Bombers trailed by 15 points at the final change but kept charging in a more attacking last term.

However, Richmond was able to hold off the fast-finishing Bombers to claim their seventh win in their last nine games as their pursuit of a third flag in four years gathers more momentum.

Who was best on field?

Vote on your Gladiator of the Match to win a 2020 team-signed guernsey and VIP match day experience in 2021, thanks to Jeep!

Enter now

ESSENDON: 1.1 3.1 6.1 10.1 (61)
RICHMOND: 1.5 3.8 7.10 10.13 (73)

GOALS
Essendon: Mosquito 2, Stewart 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Clarke, Snelling, Stringer, Merrett
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Lynch 2, Bolton, Rioli, Martin, Lambert, Vlastuin, Chol

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Smith, Saad, Guelfi, McGrath, Parish
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Lambert, Graham, Pickett, McIntosh

INJURIES
Essendon: Francis (right hamstring)
Richmond: Nil

00:25

Team song: Richmond

Watch the Tigers celebrate their round 13 win