Saturday night’s feature AFL Round 9 match is between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers with the game to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:45pm local time with away team Essendon Bombers currently holding favouritism despite losing to Brisbane Lions last week. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday 25th May, 7:45pm
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Preview:
Richmond play Essendon at the MCG, 7.45PM on Saturday night. Another close encounter, with both teams improving as the season goes on. The Tigers won by 34 points against the Demons last weekend, giving them an overall record of 5-3 for the season. In contrast, the Bombers had their second straight loss last week to the Lions, with their confidence seemingly on a down hill run after a great season start. Essendon still go into this game as slight favourites, although whoever wins, a close scoreline is likely . One of the matches of the round.
Teams:
Richmond Tigers:
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin
HB: Chris Newman, Brandon Ellis, Bachar Houli
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Ty Vickery, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Nathan Foley, Nick Vlastuin
Int: Matt White, Luke McGuane, Jake Batchelor, Sam Lonergan
Emerg: Aaron Edwards, Robin Nahas, Matt Dea
In: C.Newman, S.Lonergan, I.Maric
Out: R.Nahas, O.Stephenson, M.Dea
Essendon Bombers:
B: Jake Carlisle, Dustin Fletcher, Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Jake Melksham
HF: Jason Winderlich, Stewart Crameri, Brendon Goddard
F: David Zaharakis, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Hurley
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett
Int: Nick Kommer, Mark Baguley, Leroy Jetta, David Myers
Emerg: Jason Ashby, Scott Gumbleton, Elliott Kavanagh
In: C.Dempsey, L.Jetta
Out: E.Kavanagh, J.Merrett
Maric, Newman back in AFL for Tigers
Collingwood have recalled defender Martin Clarke for Friday night’s AFL clash with Sydney at the MCG but have been unable to regain Heath Shaw because of a back injury.
Premiership player Shaw was due to return from suspension this week but has been ruled out with what the club says is a minor lower-back complaint.
The Magpies have dropped midfielder Josh Thomas while premiers Sydney welcome Jed Lamb and have dumped Tommy Walsh.
The 16th-placed Western Bulldogs, facing a massive game against St Kilda on Saturday, have dumped Lukas Markovic and their former club champion Daniel Cross while Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney is also out of the side with a hamstring bleed.
St Kilda have been boosted by the return of three-time club champion Lenny Hayes.
Star midfielder Steve Johnson is back from a minor calf injury for the second-placed Cats who travel to AAMI Stadium to play Port Adelaide on Saturday, while Dom Cassisi is unavailable for Port because of a hamstring injury.
Ex-skipper Chris Newman and ruckman Ivan Maric return for Richmond in Saturday night’s Dreamtime clash with Essendon at the MCG while the Bombers regain Courtenay Dempsey whose return from injury was delayed by a week following his late night out which breached the club’s injury-protocol rules.
Carlton regain Bryce Gibbs for Saturday night’s Gabba clash with Brisbane who will be without suspended pair Justin Clarke and Daniel Merrett.
Ladder leaders Hawthorn are resting ruckman David Hale (ankle) for Sunday’s match against Gold Coast while Melbourne have recalled Jack Watts for the game against Fremantle in Perth.
West Coast are taking on bottom side Greater Western Sydney on Saturday but the Eagles’ depth will be tested with four more players – Adam Selwood (quad), Will Schofield (finger), Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) and Beau Waters (quad) – added to their injury list.
Adelaide have included forward Ian Callinan in their squad for Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne.
