SUMMARY
After one of the most turbulent off-field weeks in the game’s history, Essendon will get a final chance to let their football do the talking on Saturday night against the Tigers. Last week’s stirring comeback win over Carlton showed the spirit missing from a torrid four-week run of losses. For the Tigers, Damien Hardwick will want to gather some momentum before week one of the finals – their first September appearance since 2001. Last Sunday’s demolition of GWS was vastly different from the atmosphere they will be thrown into in the coming weeks and the Tigers should benefit from a tougher hit-out.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday August 31, 7.40pm (AEST)
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2013, Essendon 13.13 (91) d Richmond 9.8 (62) at the MCG
R22, 2012, Richmond 13.24 (102) d Essendon 8.9 (57) at the MCG
R8, 2012, Essendon 19.14 (128) d Richmond 15.19 (109) at the MCG
R16, 2011, Essendon 15.15 (105) d Richmond 9.12 (66) at the MCG
R9, 2011, Richmond 16.9 (105) d Essendon 13.11 (89) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon defeated Richmond by 29 points earlier this season in the round nine Dreamtime at the ‘G clash. Jobe Watson starred for the Bombers that night with 28 possessions and 3 goals.
2. Watson is the only player from both clubs to sit inside the top 20 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. He sits in fourth, while Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin sit 29th and 36th respectively.
3. This will be the 193rd clash between the sides and Essendon holds the advantage winning 103 games to 85; with four draws.
4. The highest home & away attendance to watch these teams is 90,564 in round 3, 1982 at the MCG.
5. The last time these teams met in the final home & away round was in 2001; both were in the top four and met again a week later in a qualifying final.
6. Essendon is ranked third for inside 50s this season, while Richmond is ninth.
