Richmond Tigers vs Essendon Bombers Tips, Odds and Teams – 2018 AFL Round 22

Friday’s AFL 2018 Round 22 match is between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:50 local time with the game to be played at MCG. The home team Richmond Tigers are the favourites for the match.

View our preview and teams for the game between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers.

When: 19:50 | Friday 17/08/2018

Where: MCG

Preview:

Richmond are going for 20 straight wins at the MCG which is amazing and they will start favourites but Essendon are also in good form.

Unfortunately, the Bombers have been killed by injury with key forwards Joe Daniher and Shaun McKernan injured as well as their best small forward Orazio Fantasia, which will make it hard for them to kick a winning score.

Jack Riewoldt has a chance to become just the fourth Tiger to reach 600 goals and he’s probably Richmond’s most important player and with two games to go, it appears he’ll win the Coleman Medal.

This is the Bombers’ last shot at making the finals and I think they’ll have to take some risks with their ball movement and play through the middle of the ground.

Their biggest strength is their speed.

KEY BATTLE: Michael Hurley v Jack Riewoldt

Riewoldt is coming off his best game this year with 10 goals but Hurley got the better of Buddy Franklin two weeks ago and is in good form.

If he can keep him to three goals or under that will be a win.

The Verdict

It’s a brave man to tip against Richmond on the MCG.

The Tigers have won six of their last seven matches against the Bombers by a margin of 1-39 points.

Dustin Martin has recorded 30+ disposals in three of his last four appearance against the Bombers.

Unibet Odds:

Richmond at $1.29

Essendon at $3.65

Odds:

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Tip: Richmond Tigers at $1.43

Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Josh Caddy at $10.00

More Info:

Teams:

Richmond Tigers:

B Ryan Garthwaite, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes
HB Jayden Short, Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli
C Sam Lloyd, Shane Edwards, Kamdyn McIntosh
HF Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker, Jason Castagna
F Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin, Josh Caddy
FOL Toby Nankervis, Jack Graham, Shaun Grigg
I/C Nathan Broad, Brandon Ellis, Jack Higgins, Reece Conca
EMG Anthony Miles, Connor Menadue, Corey Ellis, Ivan Soldo
IN Ryan Garthwaite, Sam Lloyd, Liam Baker, Toby Nankervis, Reece Conca
OUT Ivan Soldo (Omitted), Dion Prestia (Injured), Kane Lambert (Injured), Trent Cotchin (Injured), David Astbury (Injured)

Essendon Bombers:

B Matt Dea, Michael Hurley, Mark Baguley
HB Matt Guelfi, Aaron Francis, Conor McKenna
C David Zaharakis, Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell
HF Andrew McGrath, Mitch Brown, Devon Smith
F Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Jake Stringer, Travis Colyer
FOL Tom Bellchambers, Kyle Langford, David Myers
I/C Darcy Parish, Brendon Goddard, Cale Hooker, Adam Saad
EMG Jordan Ridley, Josh Green, Matthew Leuenberger, Jayden Laverde
IN Matt Dea, Matt Guelfi
OUT Orazio Fantasia (Injured), Ben McNiece (Injured)

AFL News:

Richmond midfielder Kane Lambert has injured his ankle and will battle to be fit for the start of the AFL finals, while Dan Butler has also had an injury setback.

Lambert underwent surgery on Monday after suffering a partial syndesmosis sprain in his ankle during Saturday’s win over Gold Coast.

The 26-year-old has been arguably the Tigers’ best player this season but will miss their remaining games against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs.

“He played out the game but probably wasn’t able to run as well as he normally would,” Tigers fitness boss Peter Burge said.

“He was a little bit inhibited and came in yesterday limping. He went into some minor surgery this morning to put some reinforcement onto the ankle.

“Right now, he’s probably going to miss the next two weeks and we’re going to prepare him for the first final.”

Butler, who hasn’t played since round 16, is also in doubt for the start of the finals after undergoing the same procedure.

“We’d been progressing and building his speed and running about 95 per cent but still with a bit of a limp and still not full power,” Burge said.

“Last Friday he went in and had the same minor procedure that Kane had this morning … we’re preparing him for the first final at this stage.”

Reece Conca, who dislocated his ankle in round 15, sprained his ankle in the VFL at the weekend but should miss only one game.

The Tigers are confident ruckman Toby Nankervis (corked quad) will be available to face the Bombers on Friday night.

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