Richmond has put the final nail in the coffin of Essendon's season at the MCG, leading at every change despite missing several key personnel.
It was a low scoring affair with the Bombers struggling to score all night, despite moving defender Cale Hooker into attack from the opening bounce.
Here's everything you need to know!
Lyon slams Essendon's forward line structure
AFL Nation expert Garry Lyon expressed frustration with Essendon at both ends of the ground tonight, annoyed with some of their tactical decisions.
Lyon has advocated isolating Alex Rance’s opponent deep inside 50 and kicking long to that player’s head, but Essendon didn’t appear to share this school of thought.
“Stay deep with Alex Rance for goodness sake,” Lyon said.
“It is just becoming painful, the fact that Cale Hooker thinks he needs to run off Alex Rance is a joke.
“Go stand behind Rance and play deep. It’s not rocket science. The forwards have been smashed by this Richmond defence.
"I think it's negligent if they don’t get a forward to start out of the goal square, Essendon.
“Whether it’s coaching or whether it’s dumb play by the Essendon forwards, as the play unfolds, they just continue to walk forward like sheep.
"Like cows grazing in a paddock, they walk forward and all of a sudden they find themselves 70 meters out for goal and on a fast break they’ve got nothing to shoot at.”
Dusty Martin!
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2018
The superstar kicks his second.#AFLTigersDons pic.twitter.com/sxTdgSe9Mm
The Star: Is Josh Caddy an All-Australian lock?
Just as Essendon seemed to be getting momentum in the third quarter, it was Josh Caddy who literally rose high and took two massive marks inside 50.
He converted both into goals and pushed the margin out to 26 points in a low scoring game.
Caddy has now kicked 43 for the year and Lyon wants him in the All-Australian team.
"Just pen him into the (All-Australian) side," he said.
Oh what a night for Josh Caddy!
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2018
Four goals so far and this outstanding grab!#AFLTigersDons pic.twitter.com/XAOnVj7dOc
What’s next?
Richmond will take on the Bulldogs next Saturday afternoon at the MCG in what will be one final warm up before finals. The Tigers are expected to get Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia back from minor hamstring injuries as well.
Essendon meanwhile will have one last chance to perform for their fans against Port Adelaide on Friday night. The Dons are now eliminated from the finals race with this loss and will have to find other motivation to get through next week.
Bellchambers!
— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2018
All or nothing time for the Bombers!#AFLTigersDons pic.twitter.com/IeQIm7RCDz
Full Score
Richmond: 4.0, 5.6, 10.8, 12.9. (81)
Essendon: 2.3, 4.4, 7.5, 11.7. (73)
GOALS
Richmond: Martin 4, Caddy 4, Riewoldt 2, Baker, Castagna
Essendon: Hooker 3, Brown 2, Baguley, Stringer, Smith, Parish, Colyer, Bellchambers
BEST
Richmond: Caddy, Martin, Rance, Ellis, Conca, Edwards, Grigg, Short
Essendon:Smith, Francis, Heppell, Parish, Bellchambers, McGrath, Hooker
INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
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