RICHMOND has conceded 10 unanswered goals from late in the third quarter in going down to Essendon by 39 points at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Tigers mounted a spirited challenge until midway through the third term, but went missing as the Bombers rattled home to seal the 15.15 (105) to 9.12 (66) win.
The Tigers elected to make just two changes to the team that was hammered into submission by Carlton, bringing in Reece Conca and Luke McGuane while losing Andrew Browne to a hip injury and dropping Mitch Farmer.
But Damien Hardwick promised last week's 103-point drubbing would be instantly consigned to history, never to be spoken of at Punt Road again, and his team played like it was out for redemption early.
The Tigers had won just one opening quarter from 14 games leading into Saturday night's clash, but they booted five goals to Essendon's three to get off to a rare good start.
The discipline and work rate evident during the Bombers' upset of the ladder-leading Cats wasn't nearly as prevalent during the first two-and-a-half quarters.
But 23 points down 16 minutes into the third quarter, James Hird's men mustered a telling resurgence.
They pulled that margin back to three points at the last change after Stewart Crameri caught Bachar Houli napping deep in defence to boot his third of the match.
As encouraging as the Tigers had been after last week's disappointment, the memory of that early endeavour was completely obliterated by a goalless last quarter.
David Zaharakis' goal less than a minute in gave the Bombers back the lead and six more goals followed as Richmond capitulated to allow Essendon its first win at the MCG since they defeated Richmond in the Dreamtime at the 'G in round nine of last season.
Influential players
When his teammates fell away Trent Cotchin maintained his intensity. He went inside 50 on seven occasions and had 27 possessions on a night when too many in yellow and black retreated back into their shells.
What it means
The loss compounds the hurt of last week's drubbing at the hands of another traditional rival for Richmond. Hardwick remains confident the development graph is headed in the right direction, but Tiger fans have heard that before.
Key match-up
Michael Hurley got the job on Jack Riewoldt in what should have been an enthralling duel between the talented big men. But Hurley easily took the points in keeping Riewoldt to just one goal despite ample opportunity in Richmond's superior first half.
Hurley suffered a bone-jarring knee to the ribs midway through the third quarter that saw him sent up forward, but with the premiership points in the bag, Hird sent him back to Riewoldt to savour his personal victory.
Dream Team highlight
Richmond: Unsurprisingly Cotchin ($335,500) was his team's highest scorer with 119, while Chris Newman ($274,500) was the only other Tiger to break the century with 103.
The next four
Richmond: Gold Coast (Cazaly's), Geelong (Etihad), Bye, West Coast (Patersons)
FIRST QUARTER
In an entertaining first term, it was Richmond who took the advantage with an eight-point lead at quarter-time. It was only the second time Richmond has won a first quarter this season. The last time was in round nine, when it beat the Bombers. The Tigers, with six scoring shots to eight, were more efficient than Essendon, as Nathan Foley booted two goals for the quarter. An after-the-siren scuffle on the boundary line resulted in Patrick Ryder and Jake Melksham having to replace their torn jumpers, but the Bombers had bigger concerns, particularly with a Richmond midfield looking strong.
SECOND QUARTER
It was two goals apiece in the second quarter, but the term saw a number of swings in momentum. Richmond looked likely to break away but the Bombers hit back with consecutive goals, the second coming after a long line-breaking kick by Kyle Reimers put Stewart Crameri into space. Crameri's goal gave the Bombers a two-point lead, but it didn't last long. Jack Riewoldt gained a fortunate holding-the-ball decision
25m from goal and kicked his first of the night. When big man Ben Griffiths outbodied Dustin Fletcher to mark and goal from point-blank range it gave the Tigers a nine-point lead.
THIRD QUARTER
In a similar vein to the last time these sides met in round nine, Richmond broke away in the third term to lead by 23 points at the 15-minute mark of the quarter. However, this time, as distinct from in round nine, the Bombers hit back and ended the quarter trailing by only three points. The comeback was sparked when Angus Monfries intercepted a Chris Newman rebound to slot a long shot at goal. Crameri missed two simple set shots at goal while the Bombers were running hot, but a mistake by Bachar Houli in the forward pocket saw the former Bomber cough up the ball and hand an easy goal - and all the momentum - Essendon's way.
FOURTH QUARTER
A long goal in the opening minute by David Zaharakis, who had lifted his output in the third term, gave the Bombers the lead and it was immediately followed by a quick snap by Alwyn Davey to give Essendon its fifth straight goal. Essendon's dominance in the centre clearances was crucial and led to a third goal for the last quarter, this time to Leroy Jetta. The Bombers kicked seven goals to Richmond's nil in the last quarter, as they ran all over their opponents to consolidated their place in the top eight.
Essendon 3.5 5.9 8.12 15.15 (105)
Richmond 5.1 7.6 9.9 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Essendon: Crameri 3, Monfries 3, Davey, Heppell, Hille, Hocking, Jetta, McVeigh, Ryder, Stanton, Zaharakis
Richmond: Foley 2, Martin 2, Cotchin, Deledio, Griffiths, Riewoldt, Vickery
BEST
Essendon: Stanton, Zaharakis, Crameri, Prismall, Heppell, Monfries, Hurley
Richmond: Cotchin, Edwards, Batchelor, Foley, Vickery, Rance
INJURIES
Essendon: Hurley (ribs), Colyer (concussion)
Richmond: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Dyson subbed on for Colyer (concussion) in the third quarter.
Richmond: Hislop subbed on for Griffths in the fourth quarter.
Reports: Nil
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
