Richmond has won its first Dreamtime at the ‘G match since 2011, defeating Essendon by 13 points at the MCG.
 
It was the Tigers’ third straight win, which saw them go ahead of the win-loss ledger at 5-4, ahead of a clash with ladder-leader Fremantle next week.
 
In Dustin Fletcher’s 400th AFL match, Richmond led from start to finish in front of a massive crowd of 83,804 fans.
 
Tigers’ midfielder Brandon Ellis won the Yiooken Award for a best afield performance, which included 33 disposals (12 in the last quarter), eight marks and five clearances.
Brett Deledio (27 disposals), Shane Edwards (25), Dustin Martin (25) and Trent Cotchin were also prolific through the midfield.
 
Shaun Grigg also continued his strong form, picking up 20 possessions and kicking two crucial goals.
 
After a big pre-game build-up, Richmond made the most of its first two opportunities of the match, to take an early advantage.
 
First, Ben Griffiths teed up Jack Riewoldt for the game’s opening goal, then Riewoldt played provider for a Cotchin major.
 
Down the other end, Essendon had their opportunities and looked dangerous in the air, but it could only manage one goal for the quarter, from Jake Carlisle.
 
A snap shot goal from Cotchin with four seconds remaining in the quarter gave the Tigers a 10-point advantage at the first break.
 
Essendon had two opportunities early in the second term to reduce the deficit, but hit the post twice in succession through Carlisle and Paul Chapman.

WATCH: Dylan Grimes spoke to Roar Vision in the rooms post-game
 
For 20 minutes, the teams traded blows without kicking a goal, before an act of strength and 50-metre bomb from Martin broke the deadlock.
 
Griffiths followed up two minutes later with a snap goal, capitalising on a forward half turnover, to extend the margin to 22 points.
 
Essendon responded with 90 seconds remaining in the half, booting two goals in quick succession.
 
Jackson Merrett ran into an open goal, and Joe Daniher kicked truly after the siren to reduce the margin to 11 points.
 
Grigg added the Tigers’ fifth goal of the night in the opening two minutes of the third quarter, after he received a free kick on the goal-line.
 
But the quarter belonged to the Bombers, who kicked the next three goals to get to within a point, until Kamdyn McIntosh
 
Three-straight goals squeezed through a goal under extreme pressure to make the margin eight points with a quarter to go.
 
Grigg started the last quarter as he did the third, streaming into an open goal to give the Tigers breathing space, but the loudest roar of the night was saved for youngster Corey Ellis.
 
He was subbed on at three-quarter time for Liam McBean, and he sent Tiger fans delirious with a running goal from 45 metres, which gave the Yellow and Black a 20-point lead.


FINAL SCORES
Richmond            3.2          5.6          7.10        10.12.72
Essendon            1.4          3.7          6.8          8.11.59
 
GOALS
Richmond: Cotchin 2, Grigg 2, Riewoldt, Martin, Griffiths, McIntosh, Morris, C.Ellis
Essendon: Daniher 2, Colyer 2, Carlisle, Merrett, Watson, Chapman

BEST
Richmond: B.Ellis, Martin, Cotchin, Edwards, Deledio, Grigg
Essendon: Goddard, Heppell, Hibberd, Carlisle, Colyer, Z.Merrett

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Essendon: Fletcher (quad)

SUBSTITUTES
Richmond: Corey Ellis replaced Liam McBean at three-quarter time
Adelaide: Marty Gleeson replaced Dustin Fletcher in the fourth term

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Rosebury, Jeffery

Official crowd: 83,804 at the MCG