Essendon Bombers v Richmond Tigers: Full preview, teams, odds and how to watch AFL's Dreamtime at the 'G'

Mick Stirling

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Essendon Bombers v Richmond Tigers: Full preview, teams, odds and how to watch AFL's Dreamtime at the 'G' image

PREVIEW OF ESSENDON BOMBERS V RICHMOND TIGERS

A couple of weeks ago Dreamtime at the ‘G’ looked like living up to its name in guaranteeing a good snoozefest, but with Essendon’s return to winning form this game’s got a whole lot more interesting.

Richmond is looking a little shaky too, and if Jack Riewoldt doesn’t get up for the clash the Tigers will be ripe for the picking.

HOW TO WATCH SATURDAY NIGHT AFL ACTION

There’s a lot of ordinary matches on this weekend, and by the time Saturday night comes around you may need to restore your faith in AFL football, so make sure to watch this one.

The pre-match build up in the Dreamtime game is second only to the Grand Final, so tune in to Fox Footy (channel 504) early for the show. If you haven’t got pay TV because you think the kids’ education is more important, then Channel Seven is at the game from 7pm.

#Richmond Essendon Dreamtime at the G

CAN I WATCH IT OVERSEAS?

If you’re currently sitting under the Eiffel Tower enjoying a croissant and café latte while reading Sporting News Australia, then you’re tech-savvy enough to find either the Foxtel app or AFL Live Pass to watch the game on Saturday night (or Saturday morning in Paris).

AND THE RADIO?

Oh, okay, so the Missus wants to walk around the Louvre at that time. No worries, find SEN on your smartphone, take along your earbuds and pretend you’re listening to the guided tour. And if you get caught cheering or crying due to how the game’s going just blame it on the artwork: “That Van Gogh – such a beautiful man”.

WHAT TIME IS THE GAME ON?

The ball is bounced at 7.25pm AEST, 11.25am in France.

ESSENDON BOMBERS’ LIKELY LINEUP

B: M.Dea 49, C.Hooker 26, M.Baguley 12
HB: A.Saad 42, M.Hurley 18, C.McKenna 45
C: D.Zaharakis 11, Z.Merrett 7, O.Fantasia 13
HF: D.Smith 5, J.Stewart 17, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti 43
F: J.Stringer 25, S.McKernan 44, M.Guelfi 35
R: T.Bellchambers 2, B.Goddard 9, D.Heppell 21
Int: A.McGrath 1, K.Langford 4, J.Ridley 14, J.Laverde 33


 

WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE BOMBERS?

In the past fortnight Essendon has downed two of last year’s top-four sides, knocked off another in round one and can complete the set if they beat 2017 premiers Richmond on Saturday night. There’s been question marks over Geelong and GWS but a win against the Tigers will have the Bombers right back on track for finals. How quickly things can change!

KEY ESSENDON PLAYERS

The Bombers will possibly have All-Australian key defender Michael Hurley back in the side, but if Riewoldt doesn’t play it could make for a top-heavy defence in which case Hurley and/or Cale Hooker could head forwards, really stretching Richmond’s back half for height. Devon Smith has been bringing the pressure all season but teammates like David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett need to maintain the intensity they’ve lifted to recently. And then there’s Jake Stringer.


RICHMOND TIGERS’ LIKELY LINEUP

B: D.Grimes 2, D.Astbury 12, N.Broad 35
HB: N.Vlastuin 1, A.Rance 18, J.Short 15
C: S.Grigg 6, T.Cotchin 9, K.McIntosh 33
HF: J.Caddy 22, C.Moore 36, J.Higgins 28
F: D.Butler 7, J.Riewoldt 8, J.Castagna 11
R: T.Nankervis 25, D.Martin 4, K.Lambert 23
Int: R.Conca 30, S.Edwards 10, B.Ellis 5, S.Lloyd 27


WHAT’S IN THIS GAME FOR THE TIGERS?

The win against St Kilda was far from convincing – yes, there were in-game injuries, yes they were returning from a long road trip and brutal game against West Coast, yes, it was a six-day break, but to be honest they just didn’t play great football for two and a half quarters. Richmond will be wanting to get a good win on the board to build momentum for the following two rounds against Port Adelaide and Geelong, before the Tigers have their bye.

KEY RICHMOND PLAYERS

The first-quarter concussion to Jack Riewoldt against the Saints showed just how important the veteran is to this Tigers side, and Damien Hardwick will be praying Riewoldt is right to play. Dustin Martin is still not at last year’s levels but is starting to look like hitting top gear – now would be a great time to find it.


LAST FOUR MEETINGS

Rd10, 2017, Richmond Tigers 11.15 (81) d Essendon Bombers 10.6 (66) at the MCG
Rd17, 2016, Richmond Tigers 16.6 (102) d Essendon Bombers 11.17 (83) at the MCG
Rd10, 2016, Richmond Tigers 16.9 (105) d Essendon Bombers 10.7 (67) at the MCG
Rd22, 2015, Richmond Tigers 10.14 (74) d Essendon Bombers 7.5 (47) at the MCG
 

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

This is one of those games where odds mean little and results can go any which way on the day. Richmond started the week strong favourites at $1.35 with Essendon $3.25 – that’s an outsider well worth backing.

A big-crowd, big-occasion clash like Dreamtime at the ‘G’ always starts with plenty of energy, and the chances of a goal in the first minute are much shorter than the $7.00 being offered, so consider it a flutter worth the risk.
 

WHO WILL WIN?

Essendon has beaten the three of last year’s top four they’ve faced so far, so that’s a good omen, but they’ve lost all their games against traditional arch-rivals Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn, so that’s a bad sign in a big match.

Richmond hasn’t lost at the MCG since God was in short pants, so that’s a good sign, but they really are limping a little at the moment. Maybe this is the one the Tigers need.

Richmond by thirteen points.

Mick Stirling