Australian Football

Match Report

Richmond has tumbled from the top eight after a disappointing loss to an impressive Essendon outfit at Saturday night's Dreamtime at the 'G match, in front of more than 84,000 fans at the MCG.

After an even first quarter, the Bombers' highly effective defensive mechanisms clicked into gear and made it extremely difficult for Richmond to move the ball with any kind of ease. The Tiger's scoring ability was thus manage only nine goals for the match, two in the first three quarters and three in the last.

Essendon dominated the middle two quarters of the match after both sides had kicked two goals in the opening term. The second quarter started well for the Tigers when Jake King received a handball from Sam Lonergan, playing his first goal against his old side, and booted a goal to put Richmond in front. But the Tigers did not score another goal until the 27-minute mark, and David Zaharakis (2 goals), Stewart Crameri, Jobe Watson and Michael Hibberd all added majors in the intervening period to give the Bombers a 26-point half-time lead.

When Jake Melksham, who had come on as a sub to replace the injured Michael Hurley, and Crameri, added the first two goals of the third term, the Essendon lead blew out to 38-points and the match was effectively over. Richmond were competitive for the remainder of the match but their lack of scoring power made the gap too difficult to bridge.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson's magnificent form continued unabated, with the Bomber champ kicking three goals and collecting 28 possessions. He was well supported by Brendon Goddard (34 touches) and Michael Hibberd (29 disposals and a goal). For Richmond, Troy Chaplin, Chris Newman and Alex Rance all flew the flag.

Essendon continues to cope well with every challenge thrown at it. After two consecutive losses, and the distraction of the players having to partake in interviews with ASADA as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged use of inappropriate substances at the club. The win against the Tigers gives the Bombers a 7-2 record and a hold on a place in the top four. They face another tough challenge against Sydney at the SCG next Sunday.

Though the Tigers have a positive win-loss record, they are one of a logjam of such sides and find themselves out of the eight on percentage. Their next three weeks consist of two tough matches against West Coast and Adelaide, with a bye sandwiched in between.

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 2; Cotchin, Edwards, King, Martin, McGuane, Nahas, Vlastuin
Essendon: Crameri, Watson 3; Zaharakis 2; Hibberd, Howlett, Melksham, Stanton, Winderlich

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Richmond: Rance, Grigg, Chaplin, Vlastuin, Newman, Jackson
Essendon: Watson, Zaharakis, Stanton, Goddard, Hibberd, Hocking, Dempsey

BEST - THE AGE
Richmond: Chaplin, Newman, Cotchin, Rance
Essendon: Watson, Dempsey, Hibberd, Goddard, Heppell, Stanton, Zaharakis

COACHES' COMMENTS
Damien Hardwick (Rich): We just didn't play well. Essendon, to their credit, their pressure was outstanding. We gave the ball back for a number of easy goals. I think the scoreboard flattered us to be honest. It was 29 points but it felt like a 10-goal ball game at half time. We just couldn't get the game under control at any stage.

James Hird (Ess): The players are incredible. It doesn't matter what gets thrown at them, they keep jumping up. I thought tonight our ability to defend Richmond and stop them getting their free-flowing scoring going was as well as an Essendon team has defended for a long time.

INJURIES
Richmond: Ellis (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Nahas
Essendon: Hurley (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Matt White replaced Tyrone Vickery in the third quarter
Essendon: Jake Melksham replaced Michael Hurley in the third quarter

UMPIRES: Donlon, Rosebury, Findlay