SUMMARY
For two losing teams, Richmond and Essendon managed to instill a lot of excitement among their supporters in round 16. The Tigers finally pulled the trigger and played their kids, with Oleg Markov and Jason Castagna repaying the faith in spades. The Bombers, meanwhile, stumbled on the right attacking formula against St Kilda and kicked their highest score of the season. Don't worry about the 10 and 11-point losses respectively – or the fact finals are out of the equation for both – hope was generated and both teams should enter this clash expecting a genuine contest in their first Saturday afternoon meeting at the MCG since 2008.
Joe Daniher owes the Bombers in a big way after more wayward kicking last round. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, July 16, 1.40pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2016, Richmond 16.9 (105) d Essendon 10.7 (67) at the MCG
R22, 2015, Richmond 10.14 (74) d Essendon 7.5 (47) at the MCG
R9, 2015, Richmond 10.12 (72) d Essendon 8.11 (59) at the MCG
R20, 2014, Richmond 14.11 (95) d Essendon 11.11 (77) at the MCG
R11, 2014, Essendon 15.14 (104) d Richmond 7.12 (54) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Dustin Martin was again the star for the Tigers in their win over the Bombers in round 10, racking up 38 disposals, six inside 50s and seven clearances. Brett Deledio and Ty Vickery kicked three goals each.
2. Essendon remains last in the competition for scoring this season with an average of only 62 points a game, but twice in the last three weeks they’ve kicked 90 points or more, booting their highest score of the season, 14.14 (98), against St Kilda last Sunday.
3. Richmond is ranked third for marks inside 50 this season, averaging 13.9 a game. Essendon is last with just 9.4 a game.
4. One possible advantage for the Bombers might be their disposal efficiency. They’re currently ranked equal No.2 in the AFL at 74.5 per cent, ahead of Richmond (ranked No.7 at 74 per cent).
5. Nothing separates these sides at the MCG. In 65 contests, they have 32 wins each and there has been one draw.
6. Exciting Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is one strong game away from moving into the top 22 Essendon players in the Official AFL Player Ratings. He was gone from No.501 in the AFL overall in round seven to No.416 after last week's excellent performance against St Kilda.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Joe Daniher.
The young Essendon forward is the most experienced player in the Dons' attacking six and carries a lot of responsibility after just 63 games. Last week against St Kilda his inaccuracy in front of goal (2.3) cost his team what would have been just its second win this season. It would be great to see the 22-year-old bounce back.
PREDICTION: Richmond by 20 points
