Australian Football

Match Report

Richmond's last hit-out before its first finals series in 12 years has seen the Tigers record a solid win against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night. In a match that took on a rather unusual feel after Essendon had been banned from contending the 2013 finals as a result of the so-called supplements saga, Richmond won by a comfortable 39 points.

The first half was a relatively lacklustre affair, with both sides appearing to be looking forward to the end of the home-and-away season. By half time Richmond had scored just 5.7 to the Dons' 3.6. But Richmond snapped out of its lethargy in the third term, kicking six goals to two top take a 37-point buffer into the last break.

The final quarter was a relatively free-flowing affair, with each side scoring four goals and the Tigers recording a six-and-a-half goal victory.

The Tigers' best included Brandon Ellis (35 possessions), Aaron Edwards (four goals and 19 touches) and Tyrone Vickery (four goals), while Essendon was well-served by Jake Melksham (20 touches and two goals), Michael Hibberd (26 disposals) and Brent Stanton (33 possessions).

Richmond finishes the season with an impressive 15-7 record, a total which as recently as 2010 was enough for a top four finish. For the Tigers this year, that record sees them finish fifth, and they will face eight-placed Carlton in the FIrst Elimination Final next Sunday. The two sides have met twice this year already, with each side recording one win.

Essendon's win total of 14 would have seen it finish seventh had it not been for the penalty handed down by the AFL. The Bombers will have a tough year trying to gain a place in the finals in 2014, with coach James Hird suspended until August next year.

GOALS
Essendon: Melksham, Jetta, Hurley 2; Lovett-Murray, Howlett, Dalgleish
Richmond: Vickery, A. Edwards 4; Jackson, King 2; Martin, Grigg, Tuck

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Essendon: Melksham, Hurley, Stanton, Hibberd, Lovett-Murray
Richmond: Jackson, Ellis, A. Edwards, Vickery, Martin

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Essendon: Hibberd, Melksham, Stanton, Hurley, Watson, Lovett-Murray
Richmond: Martin, Vickery, Edwards, Ellis, Chaplin, Jackson

COACHES COMMENTS
Simon Goodwin (Essendon acting coach): [After the game] we spoke to the boys about how proud we were of them. Throughout the year I think they've been outstanding and I guess the key message from us to them was hat we've still got some work to do to be the side that we want to be and that when we next come back to the MCG we want to come back and play some finals in September.

Damien Hardwick (Rich): I thought the first half was a little bit scratchy. It was a funny old game to start with. Then we addressed a few things at half time and I though our overall intensity and physicality was a lot better after the half and I think our contested ball numbers would probably indicate that also. Once we got our backsides into gear it was a lot better.

INJURIES
Essendon: Carlisle (back spasms)
Richmond: White (hamstring), King (cut head)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Leroy Jetta substituted on for Jake Carlisle (back spasms) in the third quarter
Richmond: Shane Tuck substituted on for Matt White (hamstring) at half time

UMPIRES: Donlon, Farmer, Dalgleish

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Brian Taylor, Luke Darcy, Matthew Richardson, Cameron Ling