TonyK
CibbuanoTigers dent Bombers' finals hopes
July 26th 2009 07:59
RICHMOND has dealt a blow to Essendon's finals hopes with a thrilling five-point win at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers led by as much as 23 points in the final term but they had to withstand a late surge from the Bombers before eventually recording a 15.11 (101) to 12.14 (96) victory.
The loss was made worse for the Dons with skipper Matthew Lloyd suffering a bruised heel that is likely to sideline for at least one week.
The result means Essendon will drop out of the top eight if Port Adelaide defeats Adelaide in the Showdown on Sunday evening.
Jack Riewoldt starred for the Tigers with a career-best six goals while Ben Cousins was instrumental in the win with a team-high 31 possessions.
Brett Deledio (26) and classy youngster Trent Cotchin (23) were also influential while Luke McGuane kept Lloyd goalless.
For the Bombers, former Cat Brent Prismall continued his good run of form at his new club with a game-high 34 disposals while Andrew Welsh, Brent Stanton and Henry Slattery were prolific with 25 touches apiece.
Essendon got off to a dream start with Scott Lucas goaling in the opening minute but with Cousins exerting his influence in the middle - he had 12 possessions for the quarter - the Tigers were able to hit back with three of the next four goals to go into the first change with a three-point advantage.
Jason Winderlich gave the Bombers back the lead two minutes into the second term before Richmond took control.
They slammed on five straight goals to skip out to a commanding 29-point break at the 23-minute mark.
Richard Tambling highlighted Richmond’s willingness to take the game on with a piece of individual brilliance - he carried the ball from half-back to half-forward before chipping to Riewoldt who converted his third goal.
The Tigers good work was undone late in the quarter with the Bombers hitting back with two majors to close to within 16 points at half-time.
Essendon got their running game going in the second half and piled on five of the first six goals of the third term to open up a six-point lead at the 21-minute mark.
The Bombers looked set to run away with the contest but the Tigers steadied with the last three majors, including two from Riewoldt as they went into the final change with a 12-point buffer.
Richmond appeared to have secured the four premiership when the margin blew out to 23 points at the 21-minute mark of the final stanza.
But the Dons refused to give in and were within a kick with just over a minute left on the clock after Kyle Reimers converted.
The Bombers had one last chance to pull off a stunning come-from-behind win but Shane Edwards took a game-saving mark deep in defence to ensure the Tigers held on for just their fourth win of the season.
ESSENDON 2.5, 5.6, 10.9, 14.12 (96)
RICHMOND3.2, 8.4, 12.9, 15.11 (101)
GOALS: Essendon Lucas 2, Lovett 2, Ryder 2, Riemers 2, McVeigh, Stanton, Winderlich, McPhee, Dyson, Dempsey.
Richmond:Riewoldt 6, Morton 2, Post 2, King, White, Brown, Deledio, Jackson.
BEST: Essendon: Prismall, Slattery, Welsh, Stanton, Ryder, Fletcher
Richmond: Cousins, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Deledio, McGuane, Post, Nahas.
INJURIES: Essendon: Lloyd (bruised heel), McVeigh (corked thigh).
Richmond: Silvester (knee).
REPORTS: Nil.
CHANGES: Nil.
UMPIRES: Donlon, McBurney, Hendrie.
CROWD: 47,412 at the MCG.
The Tigers led by as much as 23 points in the final term but they had to withstand a late surge from the Bombers before eventually recording a 15.11 (101) to 12.14 (96) victory.
The loss was made worse for the Dons with skipper Matthew Lloyd suffering a bruised heel that is likely to sideline for at least one week.
The result means Essendon will drop out of the top eight if Port Adelaide defeats Adelaide in the Showdown on Sunday evening.
Jack Riewoldt starred for the Tigers with a career-best six goals while Ben Cousins was instrumental in the win with a team-high 31 possessions.
Brett Deledio (26) and classy youngster Trent Cotchin (23) were also influential while Luke McGuane kept Lloyd goalless.
For the Bombers, former Cat Brent Prismall continued his good run of form at his new club with a game-high 34 disposals while Andrew Welsh, Brent Stanton and Henry Slattery were prolific with 25 touches apiece.
Essendon got off to a dream start with Scott Lucas goaling in the opening minute but with Cousins exerting his influence in the middle - he had 12 possessions for the quarter - the Tigers were able to hit back with three of the next four goals to go into the first change with a three-point advantage.
Jason Winderlich gave the Bombers back the lead two minutes into the second term before Richmond took control.
They slammed on five straight goals to skip out to a commanding 29-point break at the 23-minute mark.
Richard Tambling highlighted Richmond’s willingness to take the game on with a piece of individual brilliance - he carried the ball from half-back to half-forward before chipping to Riewoldt who converted his third goal.
The Tigers good work was undone late in the quarter with the Bombers hitting back with two majors to close to within 16 points at half-time.
Essendon got their running game going in the second half and piled on five of the first six goals of the third term to open up a six-point lead at the 21-minute mark.
The Bombers looked set to run away with the contest but the Tigers steadied with the last three majors, including two from Riewoldt as they went into the final change with a 12-point buffer.
Richmond appeared to have secured the four premiership when the margin blew out to 23 points at the 21-minute mark of the final stanza.
But the Dons refused to give in and were within a kick with just over a minute left on the clock after Kyle Reimers converted.
The Bombers had one last chance to pull off a stunning come-from-behind win but Shane Edwards took a game-saving mark deep in defence to ensure the Tigers held on for just their fourth win of the season.
ESSENDON 2.5, 5.6, 10.9, 14.12 (96)
RICHMOND3.2, 8.4, 12.9, 15.11 (101)
GOALS: Essendon Lucas 2, Lovett 2, Ryder 2, Riemers 2, McVeigh, Stanton, Winderlich, McPhee, Dyson, Dempsey.
Richmond:Riewoldt 6, Morton 2, Post 2, King, White, Brown, Deledio, Jackson.
BEST: Essendon: Prismall, Slattery, Welsh, Stanton, Ryder, Fletcher
Richmond: Cousins, Riewoldt, Cotchin, Deledio, McGuane, Post, Nahas.
INJURIES: Essendon: Lloyd (bruised heel), McVeigh (corked thigh).
Richmond: Silvester (knee).
REPORTS: Nil.
CHANGES: Nil.
UMPIRES: Donlon, McBurney, Hendrie.
CROWD: 47,412 at the MCG.
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