Essendon vs Richmond – Round 9 Match Preview

12th vs. 16th

It is once again time for the Dreamtime at the G match on Saturday night. As per usual Essendon and Richmond will face off in celebration of Indigenous talent, and as per usual it should be a good match.

Richmond are desperate for their first win, and what better stage to get it than here. Essendon are coming off an upset win against the Saints last week and will be looking for their first back to back wins of the year to keep their season faintly alive.

It was against the Bomber last season that the Tigers notched up just its fourth win of the year in round 17 and Essendon went on to scrape into finals, so you can expect anything from this match.

Previous Encounter:

Essendon – 14.12 (96)

Richmond – 15.11 (101)

Richmond has notched up its fourth win for the 2009 season after defeating a fast finishing Bombers at the MCG by 5 points. The Tigers led at every change and despite the fact that the Bombers kept coming, they held on for the win. It looked to be a carbon copy of their previous encounter when Richmond lead by 16 at the main break, before the Bombers kicked 5 of the first 6 goals of the third term and looked like running away with the game again. Unlike last time however, Richmond lifted and kicked the last three of the term to regain the lead at the final change. When the Tigers got up by 4 goals early in the last term the Bombers looked gone, but 4 out of the last 5 goals got them ti within 5 points. The ball spent much of the closing minutes inside the Bombers attacking half but they were unable to find the goal that would have stolen the win.

Key Players for Essendon:

Tayte Pears – The Bombers welcome this young gun back earlier than expected, and just in time to take on the guy who kicked 6 goals last time these teams met… Jack Riewoldt. If Pears can hold him down, the Bombers should do well.

Brent Prismall – Prismall has looked flat the last couple of weeks, but he had a cracker last time these teams played so this could be the time for him to lift.

Key Players for Richmond:

Jack Riewoldt – From the Tigers point of view they will be hoping Pears struggles to hold Riewoldt so he can kick another bag and lead the Tigers to their first win.

Ben Cousins – Returns to the side after yet another stint on the sidelines thanks to a back problem. The Tigers need him to lift quickly because, like Prismall, he had a cracker last time these teams played.

Prediction:

Anyone who tips the Tigers is brave, but like I said earlier these teams never cease to surprise when they play each other so they could lift for the occasion. Regardless it’s the Bombers by 20 points for mine.

Teams:

Essendon
B: Heath Hocking, Dustin Fletcher, Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Mark McVeigh, Tayte Pears, Brent Prismall
C: Jake Melksham, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis
HF: Angus Monfries, Scott Gumbleton, Sam Lonergan
F: David Hille, Michael Hurley, Alwyn Davey
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Jason Winderlich
I/C: David Myers, Leroy Jetta, Jarrod Atkinson, Ben Howlett
Emg: Kyle Hardingham, Mark Williams, Travis Colyer

In: Pears, Lonergan
Out: Cale Hooker (hamstring), Travis Colyer

Richmond
B: Kelvin Moore, Will Thursfield, Luke McGuane
HB: Shane Tuck, Brett Deledio, Chris Newman
C: Shane Edwards, Ben Cousins, Jeromey Webberley
HF: Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Ben Nason
F: Robin Nahas, Alex Rance, Matt White
Foll: Tyrone Vickery, Trent Cotchin, Nathan Foley
I/C: Angus Graham, Jake King, David Astbury, Mitch Farmer
Emg: Andrew Collins, Tom Hislop, Graham Polak