Media articles & stats: Tigers triumph again as Dreamtime becomes Dons nightmare

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Tigers triumph again as Dreamtime turns to a nightmare for Dons

Tigers bring Bombers back down to earth with a massive final surge

By Nathan Schmook
afl.com.au
5 June 2021 11:00pm

ESSENDON      1.2   5.4   8.10   12.12 (84)
RICHMOND     4.3   8.7   12.8   19.9 (123)

GOALS
Essendon: Ham 3, Hooker 3, Waterman 2, Cox, Langford, Phillips, Stringer
Richmond: Bolton 3, Castagna 3, Martin 3, Coleman-Jones 2, Graham 2, Riewoldt 2, Balta, Caddy, McIntosh, Rioli 

BEST
Essendon: Parish, Merrett, Langford, Hooker, Cox, Ham, Hind
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Grimes, Graham, Castagna, Prestia, Chol

INJURIES
Essendon: McGrath (knee)
Richmond: Prestia (TBC)

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Patrick Ambrose (replaced Andrew McGrath)
Richmond: Daniel Rioli (replaced Dion Prestia)

Crowd: 55,656 at Optus Stadium

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RICHMOND'S season is rolling after Dustin Martin dazzled a heaving Optus Stadium and led the Tigers to a memorable Dreamtime in Perth win against Essendon.

In an engrossing match that had looked destined to go down to the wire, the Tigers piled on seven straight goals in the final quarter to secure their seventh consecutive Dreamtime win, 19.9 (123) to 12.12 (84).

The 39-point margin did not do the contest justice, after Essendon fought back from a 30-point margin in the third quarter to snatch the lead 10 minutes into the final term.

They looked set to surge past the back-to-back premiers before the Tigers seized the moment, with Martin bombing his third goal from 50m on the run, and Shai Bolton kicking a clutch snap.

From there, Richmond rolled home to record its 11th straight win against Essendon, and back-to-back wins in 2021 for the first time since rounds one and two.

Midfielder Darcy Parish was superb for the Bombers and recorded a club record 44 disposals, steering the comeback through the early stages of the final term to win the Yiookan Award as best afield.

He was challenged for the honour by Martin, who set up the Tigers' early advantage and then arrived at their time of need to kick the goal that broke the Bombers' backs.

The Bombers missed crucial chances in front of goal when the game was on the line, however, and missed the opportunity to replace the Tigers in the top eight. 

A massive crowd of 55,656 packed Optus Stadium on Saturday night for a Dreamtime to remember, and a large percentage were behind the underdog Bombers.

But their cause was hampered early when star midfielder Andrew McGrath limped from the ground, spending the rest of the night on the bench with his left knee in a brace.

The Bombers relied on the brilliant Parish, who had 11 clearances and nine inside 50s, to get their midfield drive, with Zac Merrett (32 and seven inside 50s) his sidekick.

Richmond suffered an injury blow of its own, with midfielder Dion Prestia substituted in the final quarter with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Martin, who had 27 disposals and three goals, was supported by Jack Graham (22 and two goals) through the midfield, while Bolton (21) was crucial late, kicking two of his three goals when the match was at its hottest in the final term.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/625990/tigers-triumph-again-as-dreamtime-turns-to-a-nightmare-for-dons

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Tigers reinforce premiership credentials against valiant Bombers

Jon Pierik
The Age
June 6, 2021

Richmond know all about thriving on the big stage in recent years, and while Saturday night’s Dreamtime clash was not a final, they delivered an important statement in posting a 39-point win over Essendon at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

This clash was shifted to Perth because of Melbourne’s latest lockdown, and the pre-game festivities and lights spectacular at the high-tech new stadium did justice to the marquee clash of the Sir Doug Nicholls round.

It was then over to on-field business, and the Tigers reinforced their aspirations for three flags on the trot and strengthened their hold on a top-eight berth thanks to the fine performances of a brilliant Dustin Martin (27 disposals, three goals), the grit of Dion Prestia until he was subbed off in the final term with a hamstring concern, the bullocking Jack Graham, the dash of Shai Bolton and Mabior Chol’s athleticism in the ruck.

The Tigers have now won successive matches for the first time since round two and 11 straight against the Bombers, erasing any doubts about their premiership credentials in a season where they have struggled to find a groove.

The Bombers were dealt an early blow when star midfielder Andrew McGrath was subbed off with a suspected posterior cruciate ligament injury and finished the night with his leg in a brace. They were left with three on the bench when David Zaharakis (hamstring) was unable to take to the field in the final term. Yet they found a way to mount a comeback, as they did successfully against West Coast last week.

Darcy Parish continued his stunning rise, the Bombers’ midfielder being named best afield for having a club-record 44 disposals (16 contested), breaking Barry Davis’ record of 43 in 1969, and firming in the Brownlow Medal voting.

He was instrumental in the Bombers’ surge when a five-goal deficit in the third tern became a three-point margin in the final term after Cale Hooker booted two goals, one from a free kick off the ball, and Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti - with his first kick of the night - found Kyle Langford, who converted. When Alec Waterman ran into an open goal, the Bombers - having stopped the Tigers’ run - had a three-point lead.

But the Tigers responded as a team which has won three of the past four premierships would be expected to. Bolton delivered two creative goals, while Martin, arguably best afield, provided a steadying long bomb, as the Tigers booted the final seven goals.

HOT START
The Tigers needed Chol to take the lead against Andrew Phillips in the ruck in the absence of Toby Nankervis, and he was arguably best afield in the first term, as the Tigers owned the centre corridor. He had four hitouts, three intercept marks and eight disposals, including a well-weighted pass to a leading Martin, who converted. Speaking of Martin, the greasy conditions prompted him to change his boots during the warm-ups, and again early in the first term.

HAPPY SNAPPER
Tiger Josh Caddy was all smiles after he snapped a left-foot goal over his head in the second term, having almost made a mess of the situation after running from the opposite pocket and opting initially to pass. Caddy’s conversion opened up a 27-point lead. The Bombers tightened defensively through the midfield in the second term but couldn’t make the headway they wanted on the scoreboard despite Parish’s brilliance. Match winners against the Eagles last week, Jake Stringer and McDonald-Tipungwuti had only eight combined touches to the main break.

QUESTIONABLE CALLS
There was more confusion about the holding-the-ball interpretation in the third term when Jake Aarts was tackled in the Tigers’ forward pocket by Jordan Ridley, the Tiger clearly not releasing the ball legally. Martin was so convinced a free kick was to be paid that he didn’t pick up the loose ball. Play, however, was allowed to go on, baffling everyone. There was questionable call in the Bombers’ forward line soon after, prompting Seven commentator Luke Darcy to declare: “That rule, incorrect disposal, has gone out tonight.”

Best:
Richmond: Martin, Prestia, Graham, Chol, Bolton.
Essendon: Parish, Langford, Merrett, Heppell

VOTES:
8: Dustin Martin (Richmond)
8: Darcy Parish (Essendon)
7: Dion Prestia (Richmond)
7: Jack Graham (Richmond)
7: Zach Merrett (Essendon)

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-reinforce-premiership-credentials-against-valiant-bombers-20210605-p57ycu.html