1. Round 9, 2007: Essendon 12.20 (92) def Richmond 12.12 (84)
With just under five minutes remaining, Richmond held a 12-point lead, before Essendon fought back with two quick goals and levelled the scores. Then, with three minutes to go, came the game's crucial moment. A long kick was directed towards Tigers forward Matthew Richardson, who gently nudged Bombers defender Mal Michael out of the contest, took a strong mark, played on and drilled a brilliant goal. But the look on Richardson's face soon turned from ecstasy to agony as the umpire closest to the contest not only penalised him for pushing Michael in the back but also paid a 50m penalty for time-wasting. The Bombers took full advantage. They scored a goal and two behinds in the remaining time and won by eight points, with James Hird handed the Yiooken Award after being voted best on ground.
2. Round 6, 2006: Richmond 13.19 (97) def Essendon 13.17 (95)
The game was an exciting if error-riddled contest, with the teams booting 1.17 between them in the second quarter. However, the contest was notable for both its close finish and the extraordinary debut made by Tigers youngster Dean Polo. The midfielder, who had been selected with pick 20 in the 2004 draft, gathered 28 disposals and kicked three goals, inspiring Richmond to a two-point victory. Polo received the Yiooken Award and was later nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.
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3. Round 8, 2012: Essendon 19.14 (128) def Richmond 15.19 (109)
In front a crowd of 80,900, the Bombers flew out of the blocks, opening a 35-point advantage at half-time. The Tigers then fought back strongly, snatching the lead when Trent Cotchin slotted a set shot with 12 minutes to go. However, Essendon steadied, with goals to Nathan Lovett-Murray, Angus Monfries and Alwyn Davey sealing a 19-point win. Bombers midfielders Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton finished with 59 disposals and five goals between them, but Brett Deledio won the Yiooken Award after inspiring Richmond's comeback with 35 touches and a goal.
4. Round 9, 2011: Richmond 16.9 (105) def Essendon 13.11 (89)
The Tigers went into the game as rank outsiders but, with a crowd of 83,563 watching on, they broke a drought by heading to the quarter-time break one point in front. It was the first time they had won an opening quarter for the season. Essendon grabbed a slender half-time lead, before Richmond set up an unexpected victory by kicking seven goals to three in the third term. Jack Riewoldt was the star for the Tigers up forward, booting four majors, while Ty Vickery and Jake King each chipped in with three. But Trent Cotchin was the real star of the show, bagging best-on-ground honours after finishing with 29 disposals.
5. Round 15, 2005: Richmond 14.8 (92) def Essendon 9.12 (66)
The first Dreamtime game was a Saturday afternoon affair, with less than 50,000 people in the stands. Richmond started well, kicking four goals to one in the opening quarter, and the Tigers were never headed from there. Midfielders Mark Coughlan and Wayne Campbell (now the AFL umpires' boss) led the way for Terry Wallace's Richmond side. Jason Johnson was among Essendon's best players, while Matthew Lloyd kicked four goals. At the end of the game, the Kevin Sheedy Cup – named after then-Essendon coach – was presented to the winners for the first time.
Former Bombers ruckman David Hille with his Yiooken Award in 2010. Picture: AFL Media.
Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol
3. Round 8, 2012: Essendon 19.14 (128) def Richmond 15.19 (109)
In front a crowd of 80,900, the Bombers flew out of the blocks, opening a 35-point advantage at half-time. The Tigers then fought back strongly, snatching the lead when Trent Cotchin slotted a set shot with 12 minutes to go. However, Essendon steadied, with goals to Nathan Lovett-Murray, Angus Monfries and Alwyn Davey sealing a 19-point win. Bombers midfielders Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton finished with 59 disposals and five goals between them, but Brett Deledio won the Yiooken Award after inspiring Richmond's comeback with 35 touches and a goal.
4. Round 9, 2011: Richmond 16.9 (105) def Essendon 13.11 (89)
The Tigers went into the game as rank outsiders but, with a crowd of 83,563 watching on, they broke a drought by heading to the quarter-time break one point in front. It was the first time they had won an opening quarter for the season. Essendon grabbed a slender half-time lead, before Richmond set up an unexpected victory by kicking seven goals to three in the third term. Jack Riewoldt was the star for the Tigers up forward, booting four majors, while Ty Vickery and Jake King each chipped in with three. But Trent Cotchin was the real star of the show, bagging best-on-ground honours after finishing with 29 disposals.
5. Round 15, 2005: Richmond 14.8 (92) def Essendon 9.12 (66)
The first Dreamtime game was a Saturday afternoon affair, with less than 50,000 people in the stands. Richmond started well, kicking four goals to one in the opening quarter, and the Tigers were never headed from there. Midfielders Mark Coughlan and Wayne Campbell (now the AFL umpires' boss) led the way for Terry Wallace's Richmond side. Jason Johnson was among Essendon's best players, while Matthew Lloyd kicked four goals. At the end of the game, the Kevin Sheedy Cup – named after then-Essendon coach – was presented to the winners for the first time.
Former Bombers ruckman David Hille with his Yiooken Award in 2010. Picture: AFL Media.
Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol
