SUMMARY

The Tigers stopped their season sliding into the abyss two weeks ago when they beat Collingwood, and backed that up with an emphatic away win over Port Adelaide on Sunday night. The wins came on the back of four losses in five games and have restored confidence and fight to the group, as well as getting their season back on track. Meanwhile, the Bombers are also on four wins, four losses after snapping a two-game losing streak with a win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday. They kicked 21 goals, which led to their highest score since round three last season after struggles in that area this year.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, May 30, 7.25pm AEST

TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES

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
R23, 2013, Richmond 15.14 (104) d Essendon 9.11 (65) at the MCG
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

THE SIX POINTS

1. This will be the ninth Dreamtime at the 'G contest since 2006; the Bombers have won six games to three on the occasion.

2. But the Tigers beat them in round 20 last season as they marched to the finals, with Anthony Miles and Brandon Ellis key players.

3. The Bombers might have improved their scoring power on the weekend with Joe Daniher booting six but they remain the worst centre clearance side in 2015, having averaged just 10 per game.

4. Their plight at the clearances extends to around the ground. They're ranked 17th in the competition with an average of 35.2, compared to the Tigers' 37.5 that leaves them 12th.

5. Brett Deledio carried on his impressive form from round seven's win over the Magpies with another strong performance against the Power. Deledio had 28 disposals, kicked a goal and laid five tackles.

6. Despite Deledio's troubles with an achilles injury this season, he's trending back upwards on the Official AFL Playing Ratings from 75 last week to 68.

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Dustin Fletcher,
simply because the two-time All Australian is set to line up for his 400th AFL game. Reaching the remarkable milestone leaves the 40-year-old as just the third player in VFL/AFL history to do so, after Michael Tuck (426 games) and Kevin Bartlett (403). He's played 399 games of a possible 516 in his career with Essendon.

PREDICTION: Richmond by 19 points.