Richmond Tigers vs Essendon Bombers Tips - Bombers to salute in Dreamtime at the G on Friday
The upcoming 'Dreamtime at the G' clash pits the Richmond Tigers against the Essendon Bombers, both with 1-9 records and desperate for a win. Richmond faces a major injury crisis, struggling to field a full-strength lineup, while Essendon has key players like Zach Merrett and Archie Roberts in strong form. Although both teams are on a short turnaround, Essendon can build on momentum from outscoring Fremantle after halftime. The preview concludes that Essendon is favored to secure their second win, with tall forwards and key midfielders likely to make a decisive impact.
- Essendon and Richmond both sit at 1-9, but Tigers face massive injury troubles.
- Essendon’s form players, Roberts and Merrett, expected to play key roles.
- Essendon tipped to secure their second win of the season in 'Dreamtime' clash.
Richmond Tigers vs Essendon Bombers Preview
- Richmond Tigers vs Essendon Bombers Preview
- Head to Head
- Richmond Tigers Form Analysis
- Richmond Tigers Team News
- Essendon Bombers Form Analysis
- Essendon Bombers Team News
Essendon will land their second win of the season when they take on an injury ravaged Richmond in the ‘Dreamtime at the G’ contest on Friday night.
Both sides come in with a 1-9 win-loss record and occupy the bottom two spots on the ladder but it is the Tigers that are up against it with their massive injury list.
They may have to turn to some VFL top up players to field a 23 and their injury list grew in their recent 36 point loss to St Kilda, while on the same day, Essendon went down to Fremantle by 43.
Both sides come off a five-day break but the Bombers can take some momentum in, having outscored the Dockers after half time.
They will just need a lift from some of their senior players but can count on Zach Merrett and Archie Roberts, while Nate Caddy and Archer May present as tall targets down forward in the Round 11 clash.
Take that duo to kick multiple goals, while Roberts a lock for 30+ disposals in what should be an Essendon victory.
- Essendon have won three of the past four matches between the two sides.
- Archie Roberts is averaging 34 disposals in the past seven rounds.
- Nate Caddy has kicked 2+ in his past four matches, while Archer May has 2+ from five of his past six.
- The Tigers are struggling to field 23 fit players
Head to Head
Richmond were nine-point winners in a low scoring game at the MCG in Round 18 last season, while Essendon took out the corresponding ‘Dreamtime’ fixture last year by 23. The Bombers have won three of the past four between the two sides with standout player performances coming from;
- Zach Merrett (Dons)- 30+ disposals in his past 10 against Richmond
- Archie Roberts (Dons)- 30+ disposals in his two matches against the Tigers
- Tim Taranto (Tigers)- 30+ in two of his past three against the Bombers
- Tom Lynch (Tigers)- five goals in his most recent match against Essendon
Richmond Tigers Form Analysis
Richmond have won just one of ten matches this season with that coming over West Coast three weeks ago. They have since gone down to Adelaide by 37 and St Kilda by 36.
The Tigers continue to show strong effort through their younger players but are struggling to maintain intensity and execution across four quarters against quality opposition. Their injury-hit list has forced inexperienced players into major roles and they have often been overrun late in games.
Liam Fawcett booted three goals from three disposals last week, while Tom Lynch has kicked five in the past two rounds. Jayden Short has 25 disposals against the Saints and is the only Tiger averaging 25 disposals per game this season.
Opportunities up forward have been limited with Richmond averaging just 66 points per game in 2026. Seth Campbell leads the goalkicking tally with 12 majors from 10 matches.
Richmond Tigers Team News
Richmond have one of the biggest injury lists we have seen in recent times and were unable to field one AFL listed player in their VFL side on the weekend. They may need to look to top-ups after Campbell Gray went down with a hamstring injury in the loss to St Kilda last weekend. Sam Cumming sustained a corkie, while Nick Vlaustin faces match review scrutiny.
Essendon Bombers Form Analysis
Essendon have also won just one match this season and were on the receiving end of some heavy defeats with seven of their nine losses coming by 34 points or more. Their only win came in Gather Round against Melbourne.
Last week, it was a 43-point loss to Fremantle at the MCG. The Bombers conceded 10 first half goals to trail by 52 at the main break before outscoring the Dockers in the second half. Archer May, Sullivan Robey and Nate Caddy each kicked two goals. Caddy has kicked 2+ in his past four matches, while May has 2+ from five of his past six.
Their defence remains a concern and they have conceded an average of 113 points per game this season, the worst of any side in the competition.
Archie Roberts continues to find plenty of the footy and had 30 disposals in the loss to Adelaide. He has hit the 30+ in six of his past seven, averaging 34 in that period. Zac Merrett has had 25+ in six of his past seven, going 30+ in four of those.
Essendon Bombers Team News
Essendon remain without a number of key players. Jordan Ridley is getting closer to a return from a calf injury but is likely to need another week.
Verdict
Bombers to chalk up second win with Roberts and Caddy those to target in player props
Essendon Bombers
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