Tigers see off desperate Bombers

Richmond 20. 9 (129) def. Essendon 16.17 (113)

Richmond has triumphed over a gallant Essendon by 16 points at the MCG tonight thanks to a nine-goal haul to Matthew Richardson.

Richardson put in an epic performance, hauling in 19 marks and his presence up forward was simply the difference between the two sides.

It was a close encounter for most of the night, and while Richmond held the whiphand for most of the game the Bombers were within a goal midway through the last term.

But Kayne Pettifer kicked a running goal to make it 12 points, Troy Simmonds booted one from a set shot and then Bomber Mark Bolton turned it over to Richmond captain Kane Johnson, who slotted it through from close range to kick the margin out to 24 points and end the game as a contest.

Richardson was clearly best on ground, but he was well supported by Pettifer who kicked three majors and Simmonds who kicked two and had 21 hit outs in the ruck.

Lucas was Essendon’s forward threat with four goals, while Nathan Lovett-Murray collected 21 possessions and kicked two goals and James Hird was impressive with two goals and 25 touches.

The game was important for the Bombers, with Dean Rioli playing his 100th – and last – game for the club after being nursed through this season by coach Kevin Sheedy.

Jay Schulz drew first blood for the Tigers with a mark and goal after 90 seconds, but Courtney Johns swiftly leveled it up for Essendon.

Richardson got his first two majors back-to-back to give Richmond a little break, but goals to Lucas and Brent Stanton gave Essendon a one-point advantage.

But Richardson booted another two before quarter-time, and the Tigers went into the first break nine points up.

Richmond slammed on the first three goals of the second term to stretch out to a 28-point lead, but Essendon kept working hard and fought their way back into the game.

Damien Peverill broke the five-goal streak of the Tigers, then Lovett-Murray marked and benefited from a 50-metre penalty to kick the Bombers to within three goals.

Richmond got two of the next three goals before Hird was moved to the middle and set up the next three clearances that allowed Essendon to hit back hard: Mark Johnson kicked two in as many minutes and Rioli found some space and kicked Essendon to within one point of Richmond, who held that lead into the half-time break.

Richardson booted his seventh on the beleaguered Kepler Bradley to open the third term but Lovett-Murray immediately replied.

Both sides squandered some opportunities in front of goal – including Jobe Watson who hit the post from point-blank range – but young Richmond tall Adam Pattison broke the deadlock with a goal from a tight angle to take the margin out to eight points.

The two sides shared the next four goals, and Richmond went into the final change ahead by nine points and facing a real battle to win their 11th game of the season.

Hird opened the term with a running goal to bridge the gap to three points, but Richardson booted his eighth and Cam Howat got his first and it looked like Richmond’s 15-point lead might be enough.

Mark McVeigh bobbed up and calmly slotted a major to bring the margin back to nine points, before the Bombers wasted three straight chances on goal to be a straight kick behind.

But the Tigers slammed on four of the last five goals to finish off Essendon, and the loss keeps the Bombers in the “race” for the wooden spoon.

However, if they can see off the Western Bulldogs next Friday night at Telstra Dome they will secure 15th place and condemn Carlton to their second-straight spoon. Richmond will look to round off a good season with a win over West Coast at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!