Richmond wasn’t at its best but was still good enough to defeat Essendon and end the Bombers’ season

THIS was our first look at a wounded Richmond without five stars and the wheels on the Tiger train wobbled somewhat before a brilliant third quarter was enough to set up a matchwinning lead despite a last quarter scare from the Bombers.

Josh Caddy was dominant up forward for the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein

DAMIEN Hardwick flicked the switch at half time.

This was our first look at a wounded Richmond for some time, without five of its first-choice premiership stars all out injured.

And throughout the first half on Friday night against Essendon, the Tiger train wheels wobbled somewhat.

They won a premiership last year moving the ball quickly and directly, but throughout the first half they had played on from a mark only three times.

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Where was the dare? The electric run?

With a top-two spot virtually locked away, perhaps the Tigers were in a pre-finals snooze-mode early on, nearing the end of an almost faultless regular season.

An angry Jack Riewoldt took it up with his teammates on the half time siren, clearly frustrated after a one-goal second term from 18 entries that quarter.

He wanted the ball in more space.

Josh Caddy was dominant up forward for the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein

And just when it looked like there was a hiccup in store for the reigning premier, up by eight points at the main change, normality resumed in the third term as Richmond’s frenetic run and precise counter-attack returned.

It was a relief for Hardwick in the coach’s box, knowing how important momentum is at this time of the year with a last-round date set against Western Bulldogs.

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And a five-goal third term from Richmond was enough to ice four more premiership points.

Gun goalkicker Josh Caddy snagged back-to-back goals from consecutive screamers early in the third term to ignite the Tigers, and put his name up in lights once more for the All-Australian selectors.

It was the sixth time he has booted four goals or more in a game this season as the Tigers prevailed by eight points.

Dustin Martin was at his brilliant best. Picture: Michael Klein

The victory stretched their record run at the MCG to 20-straight wins.

Alex Rance owned the back half, Reece Conca played Kane Lambert’s role shooting off the back of the square and Dustin Martin looked unbeatable, again, in the one-on-one marking contests.

Martin booted four goals, continuing a late charge back into Brownlow Medal contention.

And Riewoldt booted a pair of majors to lead the Coleman Medal race over Ben Brown by two goals.

Essendon came into Friday night hoping desperately to keep its slim finals hopes alive, but this could go down as a wasted year for Essendon, in a way, after a poor start to the season.

The silver lining was the break out game from Essendon No. 6 draft pick Aaron Francis, who marked with authority in his ninth game.

He reads the ball beautifully, Francis, and with a full preseason his game could take-off next year.

Friday night will be huge for his confidence, as he plucked marks like he was picking apples.

For Essendon, this was a dark night for its forwards, aside from a late three-goal burst in the last term from Hooker.

Had Hooker and Baguely both not missed easier earlier chances, perhaps things might have got more interesting at the death.

The Bombers fought until the final siren but came up short in the end. Picture: Michael Klein

But a lightning chase-down tackle from Daniel Rioli on Adam Saad in the final 30 seconds sealed the Richmond win in pulsating fashion.

Dylan Grimes may have been underrated for the bulk of his career, but not anymore.

His desperate efforts to bulldoze Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and then set up a Martin goal in the second term was brilliant.

Overall, it was another look at the most organise defence in the league, as Rance, Grimes, returning ruckman Toby Nankervis and Brandon Ellis choked the Bombers’ forwards.

This was far from Richmond’s best performance, but it was enough, and speedster Jason Castagna overcame a quad scare when he returned to the field after half time.

RICHMOND 4.0 5.6 10.8 12.9 (81)

ESSENDON 2.3 4.4 7.5 11.7 (73)

JAY CLARK’S BEST

Tigers: Martin, Caddy, Grigg, Rance, Ellis, Grimes, Conca, Short, Houli.

Bombers: Smith, Merrett, Zaharakis, Hurley, Heppell, Francis, Bellchambers.

GOALS

Tigers: Caddy 4, Martin 4, Riewoldt 2, Castagna, Baker

Bombers: Hooker 3, Brown 2, Baguley, Colyer, Smith, Parish, Stringer, Bellchambers.

INJURIES

Tigers: Castagna (quad), Grimes (back).

Bombers: McDonald-Tipungwuti (ankle)

UMPIRES

Chamberlain, Harris, McInerney

CROWD

76,424 at the MCG

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