AFL Round 22: Richmond v Essendon Friday 7:50pm AEST @MCG

[Gralin]

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SUMMARY
The Tiger train rolls on and into round 22 in enviable shape. On top of the ladder with breathing room to spare and boasting an almost non-existent injury list, it's sunny skies at Punt Road after they shelved their poor interstate run with a hefty away win over Gold Coast on Saturday. They were even afforded the luxury of "managing" ruckman Toby Nankervis last week with the big man carrying a minor corked quad that would have benefitted from a rest. For the Bombers, a finals appearance is possible when it comes to crunching the numbers but they need plenty of things to go their way. A loss to the Tigers will end the dream despite their recent form that has seen them win seven of their last nine games. Captain Dyson Heppell will line up for his 150th AFL game in a game the Bombers will hope keeps their season alive.

WHERE AND WHEN: the MCG, Friday, August 17, 7.50pm AEST
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R11, 2018, Richmond 17.12 (114) d Essendon 6.7 (43) at the MCG
R10, 2017, Richmond 11.15 (81) d Essendon 10.6 (66) at the MCG
R17, 2016, Richmond 16.6 (102) d Essendon 11.17 (83) at the MCG
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

THE SIX POINTS

1. The Tigers led by four goals at the first change back in round 11 but it was after half-time they really put the Bombers to the sword with eight goals to two after the main break to win Dreamtime at the 'G by 71 points.

2. Expect some forward half heroics this week. The Tigers are ranked second in the competition for marks inside 50 this season with an average of 13.3 per game, while the Bombers are third with 12.8.

3. But, things will be tough for the Bombers in attack. The miserly Tigers are the highest ranked defensive side with an average of only 70 conceded per game, while the Bombers have given up an average of 83.

4. It's been a while since Bomber fans have sung their song at the end of a clash with the Tigers. They last beat them in round 11, 2014, having lost their last seven head-to-heads.

5. A victory for the Tigers will be the first time since 1982 they have won 17 games during the home and away season.

6. It's been quite a season for Shane Edwards. He's ranked No.1 in the competition in the midfielder/forward category, second overall at the club, and 18th from all players in the League when it comes to Schick AFL Player Ratings.

IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
It'll be hard for Jack Riewoldt to replicate his goalkicking feats of last week where he bagged 10 goals, but he still might have reason to celebrate booting a snag – or five. Riewoldt will go into the game on 595 goals, meaning he needs a handful to become just the fourth Tiger to reach 600.

PREDICTION: Richmond by 33 points.
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2018/22/rich-v-ess

 

[Milanista28]

#Richmondhaveinjuries

 

[Brad Goodman]

Richmond 1-39

 

[mzuppit]

Richmond win by 30+ and for their 20th win in a row at the MCG.

 

[The Prosecutor]

Essendon by 48.

 

[TigerTime_89]

Essendon by 26.

 

[Bazza97]

Going to be interesting, reckon the Bombers are a good shout to win this.

 

[HBF]

Give Essendon a sneaky chance, but I think Richmond will be too strong.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Need to start well to have any chance imo ie kick the first 3 goals. Essendon are pretty hard to stop when they are up and about

 

[jacksgh]

isnt this the same essendon team that was making a run to finals before the dreamtime game after beating geelong and gws and got pumped by 70 odd? even with midfield outs richmond can still easily cover essendon too well structured behind the ball 5 goals minimum

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

isnt this the same essendon team that was making a run to finals before the dreamtime game after beating geelong and gws and got pumped by 70 odd? even with midfield outs richmond can still easily cover essendon too well structured behind the ball 5 goals minimum

That’s because the Saints almost beat your mob the week before and wanted to make a statement against Essendon imo

Essendon have improved a lot more since then but yeah still think Tigers comfortably Fantasia out is huge barometer for our side.

 

[roacheee]

That’s because the Saints almost beat your mob the week before and wanted to make a statement against Essendon imo

Essendon have improved a lot more since then but yeah still think Tigers comfortably Fantasia out is huge barometer for our side.

singing from the pies hymn book

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

singing from the pies hymn book

Wasn’t the final margin like 13 points?

Gee you Tiger fans are cocky aren’t you’s hope Essendon beat you’s tonight.

 

[CatFan79]

Bombers record at the MCG this year is 1-6 as opposed to 6-2 at Etihad.

The only team they beat at the G was us, we were witches hats that day.

Nice if you like a punt, get a good line on the Tigers.

 

[gavaniacono]

Should be a good close game. As important as winning for me is to see how our young ins perform given their opportunity. That will be of interest.

 

[halalsnackpack]

Might not be the worst thing for Richmond to get a loss out of the way before September. Still expecting them to win though

 

[Beerfish]

We're always a chance but Richmond should win.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Tigers looking to finals with well rested key players. Dusty to have a sore Hamstring/achilles/knee/calf/pinkt finger next week.

Bombers rolling the dice to make finals.

So given motivation is different and both teams are down in players, but the tigers have half a midfield, I reckon a good close game - unless the tigers play their structure with intensity and the Bombers just can't get it moving at all.

Possible that the Tiges will come in asleep and not care. But I suspect that given some players are playing for finals spots it'll be fairly intense.

 

[The 747]

What an interesting game on FTA? AFL dropped the ball here

 

[MinerBoy]

The Universe wants a Tigers win.

 

[HTT]

What an interesting game on FTA? AFL dropped the ball here

Surely you're not serious

 

[Americanpies]

What an interesting game on FTA? AFL dropped the ball here

They are most likely in a last minute panic as we speak to try and get the Carlton/Bulldogs game moved to the Friday night spot.

 

[Arctic fox]

Surely you're not serious

He is serious.
And don't call him Shirley.

 

[roacheee]

Wasn’t the final margin like 13 points?
Gee you Tiger fans are cocky aren’t you’s hope Essendon beat you’s tonight.

you's haha
keep on improving dons and keep blaming how the previous weeks opponent played against us for your pathetic performance

 

[sante]

I reckon if Bombers can kick away early, our intensity might drop and we’ll lose. If it’s close, we win