Richmond star midfielder Tim Taranto was always going to bounce back strongly in the big-occasion Dreamtime at the ‘G clash with Essendon, following a rare relatively quiet match the previous round against St Kilda, where he had only 14 disposals.

The proud, utterly professional stand-in Tigers captain responded in superb style on Friday night, leading the team to a spirited 18-point win.

Taranto finished the match with an equal team-high 30 disposals, 11 contested possessions, eight marks, four inside-50s, a team-high eight clearances, an equal game-high five stoppage clearances, an equal game-high 10 score involvements, game-high seven tackles and 320 metres gained.

He was equal-second (with young teammate Patrick Retschko) in the voting for the Yiooken Award, further underlining his importance to the Richmond side with that first-rate performance.

Taranto, who won two Jack Dyer Medals in his first three seasons at Tigerland, after transferring from Greater Western Sydney, is on track for a third Best and Fairest this year.

So far this season, he is averaging 22.9 disposals, 11.8 contested possessions, 2.9 marks, 3.7 inside-50s, 6.2 clearances, 3.0 centre clearances, 3.2 stoppage clearances, 5.1 score involvements, 5.0 tackles and 245.6 metres gained.