Essendon dominates Richmond from start to finish in big Dreamtime at the G win

BEN Howlett and Brendon Goddard run rampant as Essendon dominates Richmond from start to finish in the Dreamtime at the G.

Round 11: Essendon v Richmond Goal Ben Howlett AFLR1114 Picture: Wayne Ludbey

TELL ’EM they’re dreaming.

The Richmond supporters who thought last week’s 113-point shellacking of Greater Western Sydney meant the Tigers were back.

This 10th Dreamtime match began with Essendon disproving the theory about teams making sluggish starts coming off the bye, while Richmond put forward a new hypothesis about how a 20-goal stroll isn’t necessarily the best preparation for a showpiece game on the MCG.

The Bombers started with an intensity and a composure under pressure that is the hallmark of good teams. They were calm in traffic, moved the ball directly and precisely and chose smart options. Within seven minutes they had opened a 19-0 lead, with all three goals coming from orthodox marks and kicks through the centre corridor. They were taking the game on.

Richmond, in contrast, looked like it was still caught up in the leisurely training drill that was last week’s win over the Giants.

Brendon Goddard flies high for a mark during the Dreamtime at the G clash.

The Tigers’ transition into their forward 50 was abysmal. Hitherto out-of-form Essendon forward Jake Carlisle, starting in defence to cover late withdrawal Michael Hurley, picked off three intercept marks within a matter of minutes and was soon looking the confident and assured player of previous seasons. He even managed to open the scoring for Richmond, punching through a behind that brought a Bronx cheer.

Richmond’s uncertainty in attack during the first quarter was neatly summed up by Dylan Grimes lining up a set shot from 45-metres out but instead handballing to Dustin Martin, who promptly delivered a short pass onto the chest of unattended Essendon defender Zac Merrett.

Jack Riewoldt, coming off 11 goals last Saturday, found himself in a whole new ball game this week. The first time he touched the ball was to gather a loose ball, only to be tackled by Cale Hooker, forcing a ball up. Riewoldt managed just one handball to half-time, and it came at half back and caused a turnover that ultimately led to an Essendon goal. His three goals all came in the last quarter when the sting was out of the game.

Heath Hocking collects Ben Lennon high with his head over the ball.

His forward-line partner Ben Griffiths was, if anything, even less influential.

In an effort to jump-start its forward line in the second quarter Richmond tried isolating gun midfielders Trent Cotchin and Martin in the goalsquare, and it paid off with both kicking goals to start the second quarter.

But Essendon responded superbly with five of the next six goals, and the 39-point margin meant that the match was effectively over by half-time.

If there was any doubt about the result it was comically removed by a moment of madness from Alex Rance early in the third term that would have had Tigers coach Damien Hardwick headbutting the desk. After Steven Morris won a free kick in the back pocket, Rance took the advantage and scrubbed a low left-foot mongrel punt to a point 35 metres directly in front of goal, where an unmarked Ben Howlett gleefully grabbed the ball and converted for a 52-point lead.

Joe Daniher gets stuck into Dylan Grimes after kicking a goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Essendon need an emphatic performance to reinforce its credentials as a finals contender and it delivered.

The Bombers dominated on every line: Jobe Watson led a midfield that dominated in close and spread expertly to create havoc. Brendon Goddard’s creativity and penetrating kicking created numerous scoring opportunities, in particular when the match was being decided in the first half.

Heath Hocking ensured that Richmond playmaker Brett Deledio had no impact on the match.

In defence Dustin Fletcher continued to make a case for pushing on to overhaul Michael Tuck’s games record. He was part of a defensive six that conceded nothing and cleared the ball out of its zone so productively that the ball was often swept to the other end of the ground.

The forwards worked for each other and managed to kick the Bombers’ highest score since the Round 3 annihilation of Carlton. Their chasing and tackling pressure, even when the match was petering out, was exceptional. The under-rated Ben Howlett was a constant threat with a career-best five goals, while Joe Daniher playing his leading spearhead role to perfection.

Essentially there was not an Essendon player beaten in his position.

Essendon’s finals dream is alive, but Richmond’s time has arrive – the time to make some hard calls on the playing list and the direction for the rest of the season.

Originally published as Essendon dominates Richmond from start to finish in big Dreamtime at the G win