Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 11 match is between Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:25 local time with the game to be played at MCG. The away team Richmond Tigers are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers.
When: 19:25 | Saturday 02/06/2018
Where: MCG
Preview:
The annual Dreamtime clash is always a big occasion with a full MCG and terrific emotional scenes before the game to celebrate indigenous culture.
Bombers have hit some form and they’re a good chance and the speed of their ball movement has been impressive in the last fortnight.
Dustin Martin has collected 7 Brownlow Medal votes in the last three games against the Bombers and he’ll always be a major threat.
I don’t think Essendon have any one player that can take him, so they’ll have to try and target him as a team rather than individually.
KEY BATTLE: Dyson Heppell v Trent Cotchin
Both games are in sensational form and should spend some time on each other in the midfield
The Verdict
Richmond’s pressure should be too strong for Essendon.
The Tigers have a 14-7 (66.7 percent) line record playing as an away team after travelling 0km since 2011.
Unibet Odds:
Essendon at $3.30
Richmond at $1.34
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Richmond Tigers at $1.38
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Callum Moore at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Essendon Bombers: 
B Andrew McGrath, Cale Hooker, Mark Baguley
HB Adam Saad, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna
C David Zaharakis, Zach Merrett, Orazio Fantasia
HF Devon Smith, Jordan Ridley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
F Jake Stringer, Shaun McKernan, James Stewart
FOL Tom Bellchambers, Brendon Goddard, Dyson Heppell
I/C Matt Dea, Kyle Langford, Matt Guelfi, Jayden Laverde
EMG Josh Green, Jackson Merrett, Dylan Clarke, Ben McNiece
IN Michael Hurley
OUT Patrick Ambrose (Injured)
Richmond Tigers: 
B Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes
HB Jayden Short, Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad
C Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Kamdyn McIntosh
HF Dustin Martin, Shane Edwards, Dan Butler
F Callum Moore, Jack Riewoldt, Josh Caddy
FOL Toby Nankervis, Kane Lambert, Jack Graham
I/C Jack Higgins, Connor Menadue, Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca
EMG Anthony Miles, Jacob Townsend, Ivan Soldo, Corey Ellis
IN Dylan Grimes
OUT Bachar Houli (Injured)
AFL News:
Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin believes the Tigers’ apple cart would cope just fine with the addition of prized free agent Tom Lynch.
The Gold Coast co-captain’s signature is being hotly sought as he ponders a go-home move to Victoria or whether to stick with the club he helped build.
Richmond are believed to be among the frontrunners to secure the talented 25-year-old key forward.
But premiership Tiger Alex Rance cautioned his club against going after a big name for fear the exorbitant money required would “upset the apple cart” at Punt Road.
However, the man who played a key role in creating the club’s winning team-first culture has encouraged Richmond’s pursuit of Lynch.
“I haven’t taken him out for a coffee, but from all reports he’s an amazing person and you’d be mad not to be having a look at him,” Cotchin told Channel Seven’s Game Day.
“He’s an amazing talent and you’re always looking to further progress your list.
“If he wants to come for the right reasons and it fits within our structures, of course you’d explore the opportunity.”
Bachar Houli, Jacob Townsend, Jayden Short, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad and Shaun Grigg are among the players on a long list who remain unsigned for next year as the Tigers build a free agency war chest.
Former Suns coach Rodney Eade, who coached Lynch for three years, believes he won’t want to break the bank wherever he chooses to play his football.
“Tom is the sort of person you would want to recruit – great character, very competitive, very team-orientated,” Eade said.
“I wouldn’t have thought that money is going to be a big issue either way.
“I think his decision will be made about success.
“I would think Richmond would be looking at him because Jack (Riewoldt) is their only tall forward and he’s nearly 30.
“Having a guy who is 6-foot-5 and can run like Tom and be a target … I think he’d fit in there really well.”