Richmond kicked six first-quarter goals but Essendon proved too strong as the game wore on, taking the lead in the third term and never surrendering it after that, winning by 18 points in Saturday's VFL clash.

Reliable defender Mutaz El Nour pushed forward and gave Richmond a great start, but Essendon hit back with two of its own goals through Hussien El Achkar and Jaxon Binns. Eleven minutes into the term the Tigers hit the lead though, as Sean Lai got a handball receive and finished with class from 45.

Both sides traded goals throughout the rest of the first term, but a couple of late Tiger goals gave them a 10-point lead at quarter-time. Nik Cox drew the margin back to under a goal early in the second term, taking a towering pack mark and kicking accurately.

But Samson Ryan answered back for the Tigers, giving them a touch of breathing room, followed by a goal to Ry Cantwell. Jayden Nguyen kicked a necessary goal though to keep the Dons within touching distance, after a free kick inside-50, before Jackson Hately gave Essendon the lead nearing time on.

Mohammed Yassine kicked an important goal and his first on the stroke of half-time, but the Bombers maintained a lead and were up by nine points at the main break.

Essendon got its lead out to a game-high 16 points to start the third term, but Toner’s second moments later helped keep the Tigers in touch. Richmond pressed hard but Essendon held up strongly down back, taking a three-goal lead into the three quarter time break.

The Tigers needed a massive last term to get over the line and started perfectly as Toner kicked a brilliant checkside goal from the pocket to start the last term, bringing the margin back to 10 points. However, the ball lived in the Bombers' forward half and eventually they made the Tigers pay, kicking away to lead by five goals approaching time on.

Yassine, Ryan and Harry Scott all kicked consolation goals but the margin was too great to rein in, as Essendon won by 18 points at Windy Hill on Saturday morning. AFL-listed forward Tom Sims suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and didn't play any further part in the game. 

Despite the loss there were plenty of positives, led by Toner who had a team-high 24 disposals and three goals, while also taking nine marks. Dashing defender Aaron Sharkie also continues to go from strength to strength, finishing the contest with 22 disposals and seven marks.

Essendon   4.5   10.8   12.11   15.17 (107)
Richmond   6.3   9.5   10.5   14.5 (89)

Goalkickers: Toner 3, Lai 2, Yassine 2, Ryan 2, Stewart, Fawcett, El Nour, Cantwell, Scott