Richmond won Dreamtime at the 'G on Friday night at the MCG, 10.14 (74) to Essendon 7.14 (56), the Tigers' second win of the year and a result that pushes the Bombers further into wooden-spoon territory at 1-10. The Sir Doug Nicholls Round indigenous celebration drew a Friday-night crowd to the venue for the 18-point Tigers win, with Steely Green booting two for Richmond, Tom Lynch two, Mykelti Lefau one, Sam Cumming one, Jayden Short one, Noah Roberts-Thomson one and Jonty Faull one. Essendon kicked seven goals but registered 14 behinds and were unable to convert their share of inside-50 entries into a competitive scoreboard.
The Tigers Hold the Game in the Midfield
Tim Taranto led all comers with 30 disposals, eight tackles and a goal assist for the Tigers, and Jacob Hopper added 20 disposals through the middle. Captain Tom Lynch's two goals were the steadiest, both coming from set shots in front of goal, and Steely Green's pair from the wing were the difference in the third quarter. Patrick Retschko racked up 27 disposals on the wing and held the rebound from defence that has been the side's structural weakness all year. Jonty Faull, Richmond's tall forward, kicked one and held a marking presence inside 50 against the Bombers' Ben McKay. Adem Yze in his post-match said the Tigers had been searching for a performance against a side above them on the ladder.
Bombers' Spoon Conversation Grows Louder
Essendon are now 1-10 with the Round 11 loss. Archer May, the second-year forward who has been Brad Scott's only consistent attack threat, finished with three goals. Nate Caddy added two. Sullivan Robey kicked one. Zach Merrett racked up 36 disposals and a goal but the captain's effort could not lift a midfield that lost the clearance battle. Darcy Parish had 41 disposals but did not register a goal. The Bombers' inability to convert chances was the headline stat, with 26 inside-50 entries producing the 7.14 line and Ben McKay's defensive work the only consistent positive for the visitors. Brad Scott told reporters the side is closer than the score line suggests, but the season has reached the point where the conversation has shifted from finals to development priorities. Round 12 has Essendon hosting Geelong at the MCG on the Friday night, a fixture that will be one of the side's hardest assignments left.
Where the Markets Land
Richmond opened at $2.50 head-to-head with the line at +14.5 and the result spat the line over by four points. Wooden spoon markets shifted again. Essendon now sit clear favourite to take the spoon across our reviewed bookmakers dabble, Ladbrokes and bet365, with Richmond and West Coast the only realistic challengers. Brownlow markets stay stable on Merrett, the Bombers captain still recording the disposals despite the losses. May Coleman markets are interesting on the back of three goals tonight. Round 11 rolls on today at the MCG with Pendlebury's record-breaking 433rd game against West Coast at 4:35pm. Geelong host Sydney at GMHBA at 4:15pm. Port v Carlton at Adelaide Oval rounds out the Saturday slate. Full Dreamtime match report via AFL.com.au.