Following its elimination final victory over Collingwood, Essendon now turns to this Saturday’s knock-out semi-final against last year’s VFL finals runner-up Richmond.

The Bombers will return to the happy hunting grounds of Stannards Stadium to take on the Tigers from 12.40pm.

Pre-sale tickets will be available online here.

Richmond topped the table in both AFL and VFL in 2018 with the Tigers finishing percentage clear of the second-placed Casey Demons with 14 wins.

Essendon came face-to-face with Richmond once in the home and away season back in round 14. In greasy conditions at Windy Hill, the Bombers held the Tigers until the final quarter before letting slip the upper hand in the 32-point loss.

With Essendon having now won its past three games, coach Dan Jordan says his charges know that every step from now must be their best.

“If we’re anywhere off our best, we won’t get the result we’re after,” Jordan said of the semi-final.

“Hopefully, we can execute similarly and go a little bit better next week and if we can, we’ll be right in the game.

“We’re certainly not underestimating the challenge, that’s for sure.”