RICHMOND has hung on in a thriller in front of a record home and away Saturday night crowd of 85,656 in the Dreamtime at the 'G game, defeating Essendon by 15 points.

A goal to Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis with less than two minutes to go put the result beyond doubt, although the crushing last-minute defeats of the past three rounds would still have been at the front of mind for anyone in yellow and black.

Even the most pessimistic Tigers fans would have dared to think the game was won at that point after a pulsating contest that saw the lead change nine times in the first three quarters.

Full match details and stats

In the end Richmond's 71-42 inside 50s and superior forward pressure was enough to give them the win 11.15 (81) to Essendon 10.6 (66).

"It was good reward for our players but also for our fans who have been through a tough stint as well," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"We had 52 forward half turnovers, which is an enormous number, but we just couldn't get the scoreboard reward we were after." 

Essendon jumped the Tigers to kick the first three goals in the opening six minutes, but Richmond began to work its way back into the contest from midway through the first quarter when it gained the lead for the first time.

The game then settled into an arm-wrestle with the Tigers missing set shots but winning the territory battle, while the Bombers made the most of their chances inside 50.

Jack Riewoldt was a serial offender in front of goal, uncharacteristically missing two easy set shots in the second and third quarter, reflecting the struggle Richmond was having in converting.

Five talking points: Richmond v Essendon

However, when the moment arrived midway through the final term with scores level, Riewoldt kicked a drop punt goal from the 50-metre mark after a brilliant don't argue from Trent Cotchin started the passage of play across half back.

Dustin Martin was outstanding all night, finishing with 30 touches and winning the Yiooken Award for best afield, while Essendon's Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard and Zach Merrett were prolific in bursts but could not sustain their effort for four quarters.

The Tigers would have been most upset if they had lost by less than a goal for the fourth game in succession after a controversial free kick was paid against Jayden Short for a deliberate rushed behind right on half-time.

As usual, Tigers full back Alex Rance was harder to get through than barbed wire, thrashing Cale Hooker in the first half before turning his mind to defeating a red hot Joe Daniher.

Daniher had 11 touches and three goals in the first half but just six touches and no goals  in the second and was largely ineffective.

Essendon small forwards were also quiet with Green, Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicking just two goals between them.

John Worsfold said the imbalance on the inside 50 count had been a problem all season for the Bombers, with Essendon only having won the count once this year.

"The start was obviously exceptional ... (but) basically the same pattern we've seen a fair bit this year, which is we conceded too many inside 50s through our turnovers coming out of (our defensive) 50," Worsfold said. 

"We defend pretty well. For that many inside 50s we were really good at holding their score, but the number of turnovers was more than even in our poorer games this year, and that's costly."

By contrast Richmond put enormous amounts of forward pressure on and benefited from great cameos by second-game player Shai Bolton, with Jason Castagna, Bolton and Daniel Rioli laying 14 tackles between them.

MEDICAL ROOM
Essendon: The Bombers got through unscathed but might have Matthew Leuenberger back after he missed through illness.
Richmond: The Tigers had no injuries and hope to get Dan Butler back next week while Nick Vlastuin is likely to return after the bye.

NEXT UP
Richmond plays North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night in a crucial match-up, while Essendon takes on Greater Western Sydney in a twilight Saturday match to keep their finals hopes on track.


RICHMOND   4.4   6.9   9.12   11.15 (81)
ESSENDON   6.0   8.1   10.3     10.6 (66)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Edwards 2, Caddy 2, Lloyd, Elton, Martin, Ellis, Nankervis
Essendon: Daniher 3, Goddard 2, Fantasia, Heppell, Green, Stewart, Zaharakis 

BEST 
Richmond: Martin, Ellis, Rance, Cotchin, Houli, Nankervis, Grigg
Essendon: Zaharakis, Goddard, Hurley, McGrath, Parish, Watson 

INJURIES 
Richmond: Nil
Essendon: Nil 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Dalgleish, Stevic, Deboy

Official crowd: 85,656 at the MCG