Big clash on Saturday night sees the recently punished Essendon up against Richmond who are on the eve of their first finals appearance since 2001.

It was a big performance by the Bombers last week who, as they’ve done for the majority of the season, were able to put the off-field drama aside and register a tenacious six point win
over Carlton.

Unfortunately though, their efforts this year will amount to nothing with the AFL declaring the Bombers will not be permitted to participate in this year’s finals due to the supplement scandal findings.

It is one of if not the biggest drama to have hit the AFL and it is anyone’s guess how the Bomber players will perform this weekend.

Richmond coasted to a 121 point victory over GWS last week. It was their third win in the past four weeks which included a win over Hawthorn in round 19.

There’s little between the two teams in terms of season stats and it could come down how well the Bomber players handle the developments of this week.

Richmond will have to brace for an early onslaught from the Bombers who generally start well. If they can weather that, the emotional toll of this week and season, as it had prior to last week’s Carlton match, might start to take a toll on the Bombers.

Richmond have won 2 of 5 matches between the two clubs since 2011 – all held here at the MCG.

This is a unique clash and from a betting point-of-view has too many questions that can’t be answered until during or after the game.

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Essendon Bombers	2.90	N/A	N/A	N/A	2.90	N/A
Richmond Tigers	1.40	N/A	N/A	N/A	1.40	N/A

Teams:

Essendon Bombers:
B: Baguley Hurley Pears
HB: Dalgleish Hooker Goddard
C: Hibberd Watson Stanton
HF: Hardingham Carlisle Crameri
F: Merrett Ryder Davey
FOLL: Hille Melksham Zaharakis
I/C: Howlett Lovett-Murray Kavanagh Jetta
EMG: O’Brien Browne Ashby
In: Nathan Lovett-Murray, David Hille, Leroy Jetta, Elliott Kavanagh
Out: Nick Kommer (hand), Joe Daniher (omitted), Heath Hocking (suspension), David Myers (illness)

Richmond Tigers:
B: Morris Rance Grimes
HB: Houli Chaplin Petterd
C: Grigg Cotchin Jackson
HF: Vlastuin A Edwards Ellis
F: White Vickery Martin
FOLL: Maric Deledio Conca
I/C: Foley Stephenson King Tuck
EMG: Nahas Lonergan Dea
IN: Orren Stephenson, Shane Tuck
OUT: Shane Edwards (suspension), Jack Riewoldt (back)