Preview: Richmond v EssendonJennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
August 5, 2014 3:18 PMAFTER it looked like the season was over for Richmond in round 14 after four straight losses, the Tiger Army is up and about again following five consecutive wins. They are now two games off eighth position and remain a mathematical chance of playing finals, although there isn't much room for error with three other teams also vying to enter the eight. The Bombers have only lost once in the past month – to the Sydney Swans on Friday night – and are seventh on 10 wins, with percentage keeping them above Collingwood and Gold Coast.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Friday August 8, 7.50pm
LAST FIVE TIMES
R11, 2014, Essendon 15.14 (104) d Richmond 7.12 (54) at MCG
R23, 2013, Richmond 15.14 (104) d Essendon 9.11 (65) at MCG
R9, 2013, Essendon 13.13 (91) d Richmond 9.8 (62) at MCG
R22, 2012, Richmond 13.24 (102) d Essendon 8.9 (57) at MCG
R8, 2012, Essendon 19.14 (128) d Richmond 15.19 (109) at MCG
THE SIX POINTS1. The Essendon midfield proved the difference last time the sides met. While Jobe Watson won't be there this time, David Zaharakis, Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton were all significant in round 11.
2. The Bombers' May win could see a strange pattern continue. They haven't recorded consecutive victories over Richmond since 2008.
3. Since round 15, the Tigers are one of two undefeated sides - Geelong being the other – and have risen from 16th to 12th.
4. The Tigers are on their longest winning streak in 14 years. The last time they won five in a row was in early 2000 and they haven't won six straight since the opening six weeks of 1995.
5. Alex Rance, fresh from beating Jonathon Patton, sits at a career-high 96th in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade.
6. Essendon's Ben Howlett kicked a career-high haul of five goals last time the sides met.
Prediction: Essendon by 12 points. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-05/preview-richmond-v-essendon
