In the lead-up to the big Dreamtime at the 'G clash, Tony Greenberg takes a look back at the history of the two clubs....
• Richmond and Essendon have played 187 times, with the Tigers winning 83, losing 100 and drawing four.
• Richmond last defeated Essendon in Round 17, 2009 at the MCG - 15.11 (101) to 14.12 (96).
• Richmond has won seven and lost three of its past 10 games against Essendon.
• Richmond and Essendon have met in nine league finals, with the Tigers winning five and losing four.
• Richmond and Essendon have met in two Grand Finals, with the Tigers winning one (1943) and losing one (1942).
• Richmond’s best winning sequence against Essendon is 11, from 1914-21.
• Richmond’s longest losing sequence against Essendon is seven, from 1987-91.
• Richmond’s highest score against Essendon is 25.22 (172), in Round 3, 1982 at the MCG.
• Richmond’s lowest score against Essendon is 3.11 (29), in Round 2, 1911 at Punt Road.
• Richmond’s greatest winning margin against Essendon is 74 points, in Round 21, 1970 at the MCG, and Round 18, 1983 at Windy Hill.
• Richmond’s greatest losing margin against Essendon is 125 points, in Round 2, 1960 at Punt Road.
• The most goals kicked by a Richmond player in a match against Essendon is 10 by Dick Harris, in Round 3, 1944 at Windy Hill.
• Richmond’s biggest-ever crowd against Essendon is 90,564, in Round 3, 1982 at the MCG.
• Some Bombers-turned-Tigers: Paul Sproule, Alan Noonan, Gary Parkes, Barry Grinter, Andrew Underwood, Tom Hislop, Bachar Houli, Damien Hardwick, Blair Hartley, Simon Matthews, Ryan O’Connor (Coburg Tigers), Tristan Cartledge, Justin Blumfield
The last five
Round 9, 2010 at the MCG
Richmond 2.4 5.7 8.8 14.11 (95)
Essendon 7.1 10.6 14.13 19.16 (130)
Goals - Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Rance 2, Astbury, Edwards, Martin, Nahas, Nason, Tuck.
Leading possession-getters - Richmond: Tuck 30, Cotchin 25, Martin 23, Deledio 22, Foley 19, Edwards 18, Riewoldt 18.
Goals - Essendon: Hille 3, Melksham 2, Ryder 2, Zaharakis 2, Davey, Gumbleton, Howlett, Hurley, Jetta, Lonergan, McVeigh, Monfries, Myers, Stanton.
Leading possession-getters - Essendon: Watson 28, Prismall 27, Hille 26, Winderlich 26, Lonergan 23, Howlett 21, Hurley 21, Jetta 21.
Round 17, 2009 at MCG
Richmond 3.2 8.4 12.9 15.11 (101)
Essendon 2.5 5.6 10.9 14.12 (96)
Goals - Richmond: Riewoldt 6, Morton 2, Post 2, Brown, Deledio, Jackson, King, White.
Leading possession-getters - Richmond: Cousins 31, Deledio 26, Cotchin 23, Jackson 22, Tambling 20, McMahon 19, Riewoldt 19, Brown 18, Nahas 18.
Goals - Essendon: Lovett 2, Lucas 2, Reimers 2, Ryder 2, Dempsey, Dyson, McPhee, McVeigh, Stanton, Winderlich.
Leading possession-getters - Essendon: Prismall 34, Slattery 25, Stanton 25, Welsh 25, Watson 22, Dempsey 21, Fletcher 20, Lovett-Murray 20, Winderlich 20.
Round 9, 2009 at MCG
Richmond 5.5 9.8 10.12 12.13 (85)
Essendon 3.1 7.4 13.6 19.11 (125)
Goals - Morton 3, Brown 2, Pettifer 2, Collins, Connors, Cotchin, Deledio, Polo.
Leading possession-getters - Richmond: Tuck 30, Foley 27, Jackson 26, Bowden 23, Pettifer 22, Collins 21, Deledio 21.
Goals - Essendon: Lloyd 4, Davey 3, Zaharakis 3, Lovett 2, Watson 2, Winderlich 2, Hocking, Lonergan, Monfries.
Leading possession-getters - Essendon: Winderlich 28, Watson 24, Lovett 23, Dyson 22, Stanton 20, Ryder 20.
Round 16, 2008 at MCG
Richmond 5.2 11.5 12.9 16.12 (108)
Essendon 3.2 7.5 13.7 15.14 (104)
Goals - Richmond: Morton 4, Brown 3, Deledio 3, Simmonds 2, Bowden, Hughes, Johnson, Tambling.
Leading possession-getters - Richmond: Foley 31, Tuck 27, Brown 26, McMahon 26, Johnson 23, Deledio 19, Tambling 19.
Goals - Essendon: Lucas 3, Jetta 2, Lloyd 2, Stanton 2, Atkinson, Hille, Laycock, Lonergan, Reimers, Slattery.
Leading possession-getters - Essendon: Stanton 27, Watson 25, Peverill 24, Lovett-Murray 21, Dyson 20, Reimers 18.
Round 9, 2008 at MCG
Richmond 5.3 10.8 12.10 16.14 (110)
Essendon 0.5 2.6 8.8 10.12 (72)
Goals - Richmond: Brown 3, Edwards 3, Pettifer 2, Richardson 2, Deledio, Foley, Hyde, Johnson, Pattison, White.
Leading possession-getters - Richmond: Foley 32, Deledio 29, Brown 23, McMahon 22, Pettifer 22, Newman 20.
Goals - Essendon: Lloyd 4, Hille, McVeigh, Monfries, Nash, Neagle, Stanton.
Leading possession-getters - Essendon: Watson 20, Hille 17, McVeigh 17, Monfries 17, Wels
