There is no doubt that one of the biggest highlights of next year’s home and away season will be Essendon’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash with Richmond.
Always a key feature of the fixture, the annual match continues to grow and is the clear drawcard of the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
The latest instalment of the game this year was certainly a rollercoaster.
Just one goal was kicked in the opening term as rain poured down upon the sides, with young Bomber Josh Begley booting Essendon’s first major in the 13th minute of the second term.
It didn’t exactly open the floodgates, with Richmond taking control of the match and proving damaging on the scoreboard to extend away to a 43-point in the third term.
But a crucial goal to Kyle Langford in the dying stages of the third supplied the side with a glimmer of hope.
Kyle Langford puts one through late in the third. #AFLTigersDons pic.twitter.com/ZfPOfusm29
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019
It sparked the Dons into action, with Langford again capitalising early in the fourth quarter before three more goals in the space of eight minutes – including a third to Langford – quickly raked the margin back to 15 points with 18 minutes played.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, and the Tigers held off their fast-finishing opponent to claim a 23-point win and emerge from the game victorious for the fifth year on the trot.
After 15 Dreamtime at the ‘G clashes, the record now sits at 9-6 in the Tigers’ favour. But while the blockbuster hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Bombers in recent years, the side will be hungry to break through in 2020.
It is sure to be another significant challenge against Richmond next year, but it sets up brilliantly with the Tigers entering the clash off the back of premiership success and the Dons hoping to fly up the ladder.
The match will once again be a brilliant celebration of the wonderful contribution Indigenous Australians have made to the game, while the entertaining and meaningful pre-game build-up will be highlighted by The Long Walk from Federation Square to the MCG.
