3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2021 AFL Season.
We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.
ESSENDON V RICHMOND
Saturday 5 June @ Optus Stadium
Dreamtime is not at the 'G' but at the 'O' this year for the obvious reasons and it will be Perth's chance to embrace the standout indigenous game.
What a time to land this match with Essendon on an emotional high following last week's deserved victory on this very patch of turf and Richmond standing up when challenged in Sydney of all places against Adelaide.
Considering the Dreamtime match has been one way traffic for some time, Essendon might be glad it is away from the MCG too.
It has been hard to avoid the swooning all over Essendon after winning on one of the hardest road trips there is. You can certainly offer praise for the win but maybe more so for the fact they were near five goals down at stages. That is usually a recipe in Perth for a party to start. It ended near three goals the other way so the party became a wake.
The Eagles did pick up injuries to key players and haven't themselves been flying high as the theme song goes. But that would be to discredit unnecessarily.
Their regulars on ball like Merrett and Parish lined up a feast and the rest joined in to fill their own bellies. The Eagles were powerless to stop the flow. In-game swings do occur but you don't often see them so violent and away from home – especially in the 'Noise Of Affirmation'.
How do they then back that up against a foe who have dined out on them for a while? Richmond have been win, loss, win, loss and then beat the Crows in another match where fortunes swung ferociously.
It wasn't like they had a general and the rest rode on his back – this was more a very even team inspired comeback. Adelaide put it to them and as a group they rose as one using all their experience from 2017 onwards.
It helps with some of their midfield leaders returning but now they faced the prospect of no Tom Lynch for a decent period.
Up steps Callum Coleman-Jones, Mabior Chol and the old warrior Jack Riewoldt who thought he was climbing a staircase with his mark late in the game. He can attend family gatherings now and one-up Nick.
Their 11 goals collectively might be hard to replicate but they will face a defence not too dissimilar to Adelaide's. It is that consistency that they need to find in 2021.
You really, really want to tip Essendon here. They are such a confidence team and that win, plus the fact they will have hubbed together for the week whereas Richmond has to travel means they are effectively a Perth side.
However Richmond, with many of their regulars back, might start to get some groove going. They do need it given a Top 4 spot probably alludes them now if they lose.
Will go for Richmond with no confidence at all here. But should they lose don't be surprised if it becomes substantial. When they lose it has been by margins but admittedly to sides in the Eight. We'll know after the siren whether Essendon are deserving of that mantle as the winner has Eighth Spot.
The runners off half back often get the possession tallies so Bachar Houli can be backed for a nice night.
Match Selection: Richmond by 4 points
Suggested Bets: Bachar Houli 25+ possessions @ $1.95
