Essendon v Richmond Preview:at ETU Stadium, 2.10pm AEST.
Gemma Bastiani
womens.afl
17 September 2022In the AFLW's first ever Dreamtime Match, the established Tigers must face a bullocking Essendon side that is full of confidence. The Bombers are the highest scoring first-year side the competition has seen, averaging 56 points per game, while also piling on a massive 84 points last week. Much of this scoreboard dominance has come late in games, where they have kicked 3.2 (20) in each of their three final quarters and conceded just eight points in the same time period. This looms as dangerous for the Tigers, as final quarters have been their worst this season, kicking just 14 points – 13 of which were in last week's win over Hawthorn.
On paper Richmond's midfield group looks like it should easily take control of the game, with Monique Conti, Grace Egan, Sarah Hosking, and Ellie McKenzie running point, but they have averaged just 19 clearances per game to date, the fewest of any side this season, while the Bombers are getting first hands to it an average of 25.7 times. If Essendon continues that clearance work, the Tigers will be under pressure as the Bombers are kicking a goal from a quarter of their inside 50 entries.
Tip: If Essendon can protect its backline from too much pressure, it's in with a shot for a third win. Essendon by six points.
https://www.womens.afl/news/104422/full-r4-preview-first-dreamtime-plus-is-this-the-game-of-the-season-
