Media article & stats: Wayward Tigers hold on over Bombers in the Darwin heat

[one-eyed]

Wayward Tigers hold on in the heat of Dreamtime in Darwin

A wasteful opening almost costs Richmond a crucial win

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
23 August 2020

ESSENDON       1.1    3.1    6.1    10.1 (61)
RICHMOND      1.5    3.8    7.10   10.13 (73)

GOALS
Essendon: McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Mosquito 2, Stewart 2, Clarke, Merrett, Snelling, Stringer
Richmond: Lynch 2, Riewoldt 2, Bolton, Chol, Lambert, Martin, Rioli, Vlastuin

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Smith, Saad, Guelfi, McGrath, Parish
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Lambert, Graham, Pickett, McIntosh

INJURIES
Essendon: Francis (right hamstring)
Richmond: Nil

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DUSTIN Martin must get his pen out and put a circle around the Dreamtime clash with Essendon each year.

Even though this year's contest was very different to every other – shifted from the MCG to TIO Stadium in Darwin due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria – the brilliant Richmond midfielder did what he always does and put the Bombers to the sword.

The two-time Norm Smith medallist and dual premiership star steered the Tigers to a 12-point win over the Bombers in the Top End, amassing 29 disposals, seven clearances, nine score involvements and nine inside-50s in a dominant midfield display.

The Bombers are no strangers to Martin's impact, having seen him average 32 disposals and collect 15 Brownlow Medal votes in his previous six games against Essendon.

Shai Bolton was also excellent with 28 disposals and a goal as the rising Indigenous Tigers star claimed his first Yiooken Award voted as the best afield.

But the Tigers' inefficiency kept the Bombers in the game longer than Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have liked.

Richmond's inaccuracy was evident in the 10.13 (73) to 10.1 (61) result as they controlled the inside-50 count, restricting Essendon to only nine entries for the first half. The Bombers recorded just 24 entries for the game to Richmond's 66.

In the humid and sweaty Northern Territory conditions the Bombers trailed by 15 points at the final change but kept charging in a more attacking last term.

However, Richmond was able to hold off the fast-finishing Bombers to claim their seventh win in their last nine games as their pursuit of a third flag in four years gathers more momentum. 

https://www.afl.com.au/news/488723/wayward-tigers-hold-on-in-the-heat-of-dreamtime-in-darwin

[one-eyed]

Richmond extend winning streak over Essendon despite Mosquito bites

By Peter Ryan
The Age
August 23, 2020

Richmond won, as they have the past 10 times they have met Essendon, but this hot August night in Darwin was anything but a representation of the status quo.

For the first time since the Dreamtime at the 'G began in 2007 the match between Essendon and Richmond went on tour, landing in the top end as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

From the moment Richard Fejo, a Larrakia (Darwin) and Warramungu (Tennant Creek) man, delivered a powerful welcome to country, the scene was set for a memorable Dreamtime in Darwin.

Richmond began like Tigers winning the contested ball and kicking the first goal through Tom Lynch, who looked threatening every time the ball was in their vicinity. But when they failed to take their chances Essendon steadied, dominating in the air in their defensive 50 and then scoring efficiently when forward.

Essendon's only scores for the quarter came from Irving Mosquito who, on debut, kicked a goal with his second kick, a set shot from 40-metres out, which seemed fitting, with the Indigenous youngster from Halls Creek, who moved to Gippsland as a teenager, popular among the crowd.

The spark he had created continued into the second quarter when Dylan Clarke kicked his first goal after 15 games before Mosquito kicked one of the most electrifying goals of the season.

He swooped on a ground ball and burst into open space inside 50, exploding like he was on the Tabasco Superbowl commercial from 1998.

After one bounce he steadied and slotted the goal on the run with his left foot to record his second for the half.

Moments later, Essendon looked to have the momentum when Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti marked at the top of the goal square before strolling into the open goal to put the Bombers 11 points up.

But the umpire decided to deny McDonald-Tipungwuti the goal, instead awarding a free kick to Tigers defender Dylan Grimes for a push in the back after the premiership defender accentuated the contact from Jake Stringer.

It was a dubious call, which allowed Richmond to settle and end a run of eight consecutive behinds with an excellent goal to Shai Bolton.

Daniel Rioli, the hometown hero, then kicked a goal to stretch the Tigers' lead to seven points and they were never headed again.

The confidence they created in the moments before half-time led to a spurt in scoring, with the Tigers banging on four of the next five goals due partly to the ferocious brilliance of Dustin Martin to open up what appeared a match-winning lead.

However, the Bombers were not having trouble scoring and hit back with the next three goals to draw within two kicks with 10 minutes to play.

But the Tigers, who won the inside 50 count 66 to 24 and deserved to win, could not be stopped after Nick Vlastuin goaled. They put the game to bed to run out winners by two goals, with local Rioli rapt.

"I am going to treasure this for the rest of my life," Rioli said.

Essendon 1.1 3.1 6.1 10.1 (61)
Richmond 1.5 3.8 7.10 10.13 (73)

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Smith, Ridley, Parish, McGrath
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Baker, Lambert, Pickett

GOALS
Essendon: Mosquito 2, Stewart 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Clarke, Snelling, Stringer, Merrett
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Lynch 2, Bolton, Rioli, Martin, Lambert, Vlastuin, Chol

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-extend-winning-streak-over-essendon-despite-mosquito-bites-20200822-p55ocd.html