The following excerpt is taken from Elliot Cartledge’s new book, From Hafey To Hardwick, which chronicles and explores Richmond's recent history. Click here to buy.

Then, early the next season, a 16-game losing streak against Hawthorn that stretched back to 1985 was vanquished by a six-point win in Round 3, 1995 in miserable, rain-drenched conditions at Waverley. In Round 11 it was the Eagles turn to have the trendline upended. Undefeated by Richmond in their last 10 meetings, West Coast was given a 60-point football lesson at Princes Park. Nathan Bower shut down Eagles star Peter Matera, Maxfield and Naish kicked splendid goals on the run and Kellaway and Bourke repeatedly repelled opposition thrusts forward. 

But it was Kevin Sheedy’s Bombers who would provide the most willing, hard-fought and vigorous challenges as John Northey’s Tigers dared contemplate September success.

Richmond met Essendon twice in 1995. The first was an often spiteful, pulsating and eventually drawn affair in front of almost 77,000 fans. On a Friday night in Round 15, the Tigers were undermanned, missing Knights, Turner and Bourke – plus Richardson, out for the season with a knee injury – against an opponent that had dished out hidings against Richmond on an all-too regular basis. 

During the game Tape was hurt and did not play the second half, Michael Gale was concussed in a tussle with Gavin Wanganeen; he bravely came back on and subsequently suffered a dislocated collarbone. Worse, Maxfield had his jaw broken in an incident involving David Grenvold. Brendon Gale, with 10 marks and three goals, was a valuable contributor, likewise Stephen Jurica (5 goals), a forward-line bull who had the best game of his short, 18-game career.

But it was a thrilling passage of play late in the piece that is now etched in the minds of Tiger fans from the era. With the Bombers surging up the ground to centre-wing, Chris Bond came from nowhere to make a desperate spoil. The ball spilled out, ended up with Bond again, who chipped to Maxfield. Channel 7’s Bruce McAvaney excitedly called it home:

"Bond comes in, does it magnificently, Elliott couldn’t control it, Dundas’s little give to Bond – here’s a go! Bond to Maxfield, go and kick the goal Stuey, straighten it up, bang it home – it’s a beauty! They’re in front the Tiges! Won’t that lift it off the ground!"

It set the scene for what would be an epic encounter at their next meeting...