RICHMOND V ESSENDON

Venue MCG
Date Saturday, July 19
Time 2.10pm
Head to head Richmond 81 Essendon 98 Drawn 4
Last time Richmond 16.14 (110) bt Essendon 10.12 (72) R9 2008 MCG
Betting TABSportsbet Richmond $1.60 Essendon $2.25 Centrebet Richmond $1.65 Essendon $2.25

Richmond

Backs: Newman McGuane Moore
Half-backs: McMahon Bowden White
Centres: Cotchin Tuck Tambling
Half-forwards: Morton Riewoldt Deledio
Forwards: Brown Hughes Pattison
Followers: Simmonds Johnson Rover: Foley
Interchange: Connors Edwards Polo Schulz
Emergencies: Thursfield Jackson Rance
In: Nil
Out:

Essendon 

Backs: Ramanauskas Fletcher Lovett-Murray
Half-backs: Slattery Ryder Nash
Centres: Reimers Watson Welsh
Half-forwards: Jetta Lloyd Lucas
Forwards: Monfries Neagle McPhee
Followers: Hille Lonergan Rover: Stanton
Interchange: Atkinson Dyson Laycock Peverill
Emergencies: Hooker Magin Michael
In: Atkinson Dyson
Out: Lovett McVeigh (knee)

Summary This time it's the coach who's under a fitness cloud. Richmond's Terry Wallace has been hospitalised for a chest infection and may not be there to direct the strategy. Richmond and Essendon are 11th and 12th on the ladder, and the loser here can effectively start planning for next year. The Tigers have dominated their clashes in recent years and won easily just seven rounds ago. The injury-strapped Bombers cooped another major blow this week, with leading midfielder Mark McVeigh succumbing to a recurring knee injury. The club-imposed suspension on serial offender Andrew Lovett could hardly have come at a worse time for the Dons. The Tigers go into the game on a high after belting West Coast by 77 points in Perth. Jack Riewoldt won the Rising Star nomination and overall Richmond exudes too much confidence to let this slip.
Key Both sides have the capacity to kick big scores. But Richmond look better equipped at the defensive end.
Tip Richmond by 15 points