One team sits second on the ladder with eight wins and the other sits twelfth with only four.
However, Essendon fans do have something over Richmond in that they’re undefeated against top eight teams from 2017.
The Tigers have lost both of their games to last year’s finalists with interstate defeats to Adelaide and West Coast.
The Bombers meanwhile have beaten Geelong, Adelaide, Port Adelaide and GWS in what has been a rollercoaster of a season.
On the other side of the equation, Richmond is undefeated against teams that didn’t make the eight last year.
That includes teams like Hawthorn, Melbourne, Collingwood and North Melbourne who are all significantly better this year however.
Essendon has won all of their matches against 2017 finalists, but has not won a game against teams that missed, losing all six.
A Richmond win would end their track of losses to last year’s top eight, while an Essendon win would see the trends on both sides continue.
The two teams clash on Saturday night in the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G game.