Patrick Ambrose is lining up on Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt. Michael Hartley is opposed to Ben Griffiths, Marty Gleeson is on Daniel Rioli, Matt Dea is lining up on Sam Lloyd, James Gwilt is on Shane Edwards and Courtenay Dempsey is on Brandon Ellis.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is again lining up in attack but it was his small forward partner Orazio Fantasia who kicked the Dons opener after a strong tackle.
The Bombers second also came from strong forward pressure. Zach Merrett converted from the goalsquare to put the Dons two goals up seven minutes into the game.
Joe Daniher, Mitch Brown and Shaun McKernan are the Dons key forward targets.
Essendon won five of the first six clearances and made them count, booting the first three goals of the match.
Midway through the first term the Dons led the tackle count 15-7. Nearing quarter time the pressure acts are Essendon 70, Richmond 29.
Richmond wrested control late in the term and at quarter time it was 3.3.21 apiece.
Zach Merrett and David Zaharakis are leading the way for the Bombers with seven possessions each. Orazio Fantasia has kicked two goals.
