RICHMOND 15.14 (104) def ESSENDON 9.11 (65)
NOW that the final chapter has closed on Essendon’s 2013 season we can’t help but think of T.S Elliott’s The Hollow Men:
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper
In their final game of the season, and their first since the AFL levied its sanctions against the club, some of us felt the the Bombers would come out firing, motivated to finish the game on a high by dismantling a teams that would be playing its first finals footy in 12 years.
But rather than a bang all we got was a whimper with the final margin of 39 points being generous to an uninspired Essendon outfit.
“The difficult thing is, when you do get challenged in games, there comes a time when you’ve actually got to play for something, and we probably got to that stage during the third quarter where it got a little bit too hard for us,” said Essendon stand-in coach Simon Goodwin.
For Richmond meanwhile the game gives them a one game edge and a percentage boost over Collingwood who will play an in form North Melbourne later today. Assuming the standings don’t change we will see the Tiger face the Blues for the third time this year, and the second time in four weeks, when the finals begin next week.
“We spoke in our meeting that one season is finished, 15-7, great result, and another season starts,” said Richmond coach Damien Hardwick last night.
“That’s the feeling we want at our footy club.
“We need to maintain that our standards are now to drive through this finals season; wherever that takes us will be.”
And while it may be premature, Hardwick is motivated to be playing the Blues yet again.
“The ground stays the same, the ball stays the same … it’s going to be a big crowd, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.
“Richmond v Carlton, it’s going to be an enormous crowd, a great feeling.
“It will be a great build up to the week and we’ve got to deliver when it matters.”
We will post the highlights from last night’s game as soon as they become available.
ESSENDON 2.4 3.6 5.8 9.11 (65)
RICHMOND 4.1 5.6 11.9 15.14 (104)
GOALS
Essendon: Melksham 2, Jetta 2, Hurley 2, Lovett-Murray, Howlett, Dalgleish
Richmond: Vickery 4, A. Edwards 4, Jackson 2, King 2, Martin, Grigg, Tuck
BEST
Essendon: Melksham, Hurley, Stanton, Hibberd, Lovett-Murray
Richmond: Jackson, Ellis, A. Edwards, Vickery, Martin
INJURIES
Essendon: Carlisle (back spasms)
Richmond: White (back tightness), King (cut head)
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Leroy Jetta substituted on for Jake Carlisle (back spasms) in the third quarter
Richmond: Shane Tuck substituted on for Matt White (hamstring) at half time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Farmer, Dalgleish
Official crowd: 60,979 at the MCG