AFTER eight straight Dreamtime losses Essendon has finally put the nightmare behind it, downing Richmond 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) at the MCG on Saturday night.

The win puts the Bombers' campaign back on track after four successive losses upset their strong start to the season.

08:48

Rd 10 | Match Highlights

The Bombers and Tigers clash in round 10.

Equally, the result puts the handbrake on what looked like a change of form for the Tigers after downing Geelong last round.

BOMBERS v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats

An entertaining and inspiring pre-game ceremony that featured players from both clubs performing together kicked off a high-pressure first half, with Richmond taking a five-point lead into the long break.

The Tigers extended the lead to two goals at three-quarter time but there was plenty of football to play.

The final term saw Richmond break out to a three-goal advantage yet Essendon kept coming, finally getting ahead with a goal from former Richmond VFL player Sam Durham with seven seconds on the clock.

01:35

Rd 10 | Durham post-game

We chat to young midfielder Sam Durham after he kicked the game winning goal in our Dreamtime match against Richmond.

Andrew McGrath was strong in defence and Jye Caldwell had his best game for the season, given extra midfield minutes due to the late withdrawal of Dylan Shiel.

Shai Bolton was outstanding for the Tigers in his 100th game, while Nick Vlastuin was equally as good in his 200th.

Nick Hind made a crucial, lunging spoil on the three-quarter time siren after a Dustin Martin snap, limiting the damage to 12 points at the final break after Bolton's brace.

It took the margin out to a game-high 12 points after a very gritty two-and-a-half quarters.

Merrett was immense throughout the game for Essendon, finding the ball at will and a key link piece throughout, while Ridley and Redman patrolled the air beautifully.

Dylan Shiel was a late withdrawal after injuring his ankle last week, while Alwyn Davey jnr. received treatment on his shoulder in the second term, but played out the game.

Yiooken winner Merrett’s big night out
The integral Bomber was simply superb throughout the game, and the Tigers could not stop Essendon’s skipper. He’d racked up an astonishing 30 disposals by three-quarter time, and finished with 39, eight marks, 679m gained and five clearances. Merrett just did not stop running from the first bounce to the final siren, keeping a steady head in a sometimes scrappy affair, and leading the Bombers to a long-awaited victory over Richmond.

A night of thanks and celebration
The annual Dreamtime at the G match is a must-watch highlight in the football calendar. With the theme "moments forged by First Nations", the pre-match show featured performances by Fred Leone, Mo'Ju and dance groups Djirri Djirri, Bandok Tati and Dreamtime Contemporary Dancers, supported by a light show. Essendon legend Michael Long stole the show at half-time, performing with the Archie Roach band and Kevin Sheedy. Pre-game, seven Indigenous players from the two sides (including the injured Maurice Rioli) finished the Dreamtime Dance, arm-in-arm. Together.

04:05

Rd 10 | Dreamtime pre-game ceremony captivates 'G

A stirring performance before Dreamtime at the 'G sees both teams come together in rousing scenes.

Yiooken Award voting

Zach Merrett (Essendon) – 12 votes (3,3,3,3)
Tim Taranto (Richmond) – 4 votes (2,2)
Shai Bolton (Richmond) – 3 votes (1,2)
Jordan Ridley (Essendon) – 3 votes (1,1,1)
Daniel Rioli (Richmond) - 2 votes (2)

Judges Voting (in order of their 3, 2, 1 votes):

Shaun Burgoyne – Channel 7 (Chair): Zach Merrett (Essendon), Shai Bolton (Richmond), Jordan Ridley (Essendon).
Sarah Black – AFL Media: Zach Merrett (Essendon), Tim Taranto (Richmond), Jordan Ridley (Essendon).
Charlie King – ABC: Zach Merrett (Essendon), Daniel Rioli (Richmond), Jordan Ridley (Essendon).
William Gumbula – Yolngu Radio: Zach Merrett (Essendon), Tim Taranto (Richmond), Shai Bolton (Richmond).

Yiooken is a word from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people which means ‘dreaming’.

ESSENDON      4.1     5.7     6.10     10.11 (71)
RICHMOND     3.5     6.6     8.10     10.10 (70) 

GOALS
Essendon: Weideman 2, Durham 2, A. Davey, Snelling, Menzie, Langford, Stringer, Menzie
Richmond: Bolton 2, Mansell 2, Martin 2, Ryan, Taranto, Graham, Clarke 

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Ridley, Redman, McGrath, Durham
Richmond: Taranto, Bolton, Martin, Ross, Rioli 

INJURIES
Essendon: A.Davey (shoulder)
Richmond: Nil

LATE CHANGES:
Essendon: Dylan Shiel (injury), replaced in selected side by Will Snelling
Richmond: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Massimo D'Ambrosio (replaced Andrew Phillips at three-quarter time)
Richmond: Judson Clarke (replaced Thomson Dow in the third quarter)

Crowd: 78,300 at the MCG