The Tigers extended their winning form on Friday night, notching up their sixth consecutive win - the club's longest winning streak in 19 years. Richmond hasn't recorded six straight victories since the opening six rounds of the 1995 season. More importantly though, the win over the Bombers has kept their slim finals hopes alive. Now one game out of the top eight, the Tigers will need to win all three of their remaining games and count on other sides around them to fall away if they are to feature in September. It's a tough ask as they face Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), St Kilda (MCG) and the Sydney Swans (ANZ), but whatever the result, it has been an incredible turnaround at Punt Road in the past six weeks.

 

The Bombers have now lost two games in a row and are clinging desperately to a place in the finals. They came into round 20 sitting seventh on the ladder and depending on results from this weekend could drop out of the top eight. They're just above the Pies and Suns in terms of percentage, but have the Crows and Tigers now nipping at their heels. Essendon faces West Coast (Etihad), Gold Coast (Etihad) and Carlton (MCG) in the final three rounds, with each one now looming as a mini-elimination final.

 

Essendon forward Jake Carlisle had a second term to forget. Double teamed for most of the game by Tiger defenders Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin, Carlisle became increasingly frustrated. With 10 minutes remaining before half-time, Richmond's Bachar Houli earned a free kick in the Bombers’ forward line after a brilliant tackle on Cory Dell'olio, who incorrectly disposed of the ball. Agitated, Carlisle lashed out at former Richmond skipper Chris Newman, conceding a 50m penalty after he hit him in the stomach with a roundhouse and then grabbed him around the throat. As if that wasn't stupid enough, the Bomber decided he'd have a second dip, once again grabbing Newman around the throat directly in front of the umpire, who was quick to award another 50m penalty. 100m down the other end of the ground, Houli goaled to put the Tigers seven points ahead. A very costly 60 seconds from Carlisle that could earn him the honour of brain fade of the year.

 

Since coming into Richmond's senior side in round 12, Anthony Miles has been impressive, playing every game. The former Giant has averaged 24 disposals and six clearances per game and has become a crucial cog in the Tigers' midfield in the second half of the season. Last week against his former side Miles had his most disappointing game for the season. After barely touching it in the first half he was sent to tag Giants captain Callan Ward and finished with just 12 disposals. After a quiet word from coach Damien Hardwick during the week, Miles set his sights on rebounding against the Bombers, and he did just that. The midfielder was prolific in the first quarter racking up 14 disposals. Despite his impact, the Bombers left him unchecked for most of the game. The 22-year-old finished with 28 touches and a game-high seven clearances to take out best-on-ground honours.

 

In what was a huge game in the context of the season for both clubs, you would have expected a big crowd in attendance at the MCG for a Friday night blockbuster. In the previous five meetings between these two clubs the average crowd at the MCG has been just under 70,000. But on what was a perfect night for football, only 58,024 fans were present to see an absolutely thrilling contest. However at the end of the game, it sounded like the ‘G was filled with 80,000 Richmond fans as they belted out the club's theme song with gusto.