The Bomberopoulos Report

MEANWHILE DOWN AT AFL HOUSE

THE AFL FASHION POLICE EXCERCISE THEIR COLLECTIVE MASS WEIGHT.

High-fives and slaps on well-oiled backs, all round, down at AFL House this morning as the lucrative over-seas, ratings results came in.

Proving - once and for all - that the 13,0469 viewers around the world, on the week-end, were able to distinguish between yellow and red!

Gillon McLachlan broke out the Don Perignon for breakfast in his King-size bed.

Adrian Anderson was urgently awoken before 10am to be given the good news.

"Anderson couldn't believe it" said Demetriou.

"Gillon was too excited to call, he actually wet himself, so as the Supreme Leader of all things AFL - I stepped in."

Demetriou also told of how everyone back at the now exclusive Docklands Club, was able to distinguish between the two teams on the massive HD Plasma screen and thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle, in the purpose-built, Million dollar theatre room.

"Although by the end of the first quarter, a few of us had a little-bit of trouble distinguishing certain scrimages & passages of play, but by then many of us had lost interest and began focusing on the topless wenches serving the FREE chardy's." Demetriou said.

WHEN asked what Demetriou thought about Joel Bowden's two rushed behinds that assured Richmond of its win over Essendon.

DEMETRIOU quizickly replied, "What? We ALL thought Essendon won!"

"Might have to change the colour of the Bomber Guernsey to Silver or Grey next Season. Gilly reckons Silver suits are huge in Rome and Milan this year." Demetriou said.

DON'S GO DOWN BY 4

Essendon assistant coach, Ashley Prescott, says disappointment is the over-riding emotion following today’s four point loss to Richmond.

“It was very disappointing not to get the win,” he said.

“In a sense you are proud that we were able to stick in the game and put ourselves in a winning position but we need to learn to take the opportunities when they are presented and make the most of them.

“We won the stoppage comprehensively in the first half and got the ball inside 50 but couldn’t take the marks and convert them to shots on goal.

“Richmond rebounded and got the ball into their forwards.”

Prescott refused to blame the first quarter injury to Welsh and second quarter injury to Monfries for the loss but said it did cause problems.

“When you lose player early it leaves you short and affects your rotations,” he said.

“There is no doubt we had to throw a lot of players into different positions and be creative with our rotations which gave some players some great challenges but spread the load to 19 men.

“I thought Lonergan was again extremely courageous and desperate and McPhee’s second half was good. Watson got his hands on the ball and won a lot of clearances. Stanton was solid for each quarter and Ryder tried very hard on a variety of opponents. Also I liked Mal’s game after being out for four weeks.”

CLASH THRILLER AT THE G

Nathan Brown's three final-quarter goals have led Richmond to a narrow four-point victory over Essendon in an exciting tussle at the MCG on Saturday.

With Terry Wallace in the coaches' box after a health scare during the week, the Tigers kept in touch with the top eight and all but ended the Bombers' finals hopes with a 16.12 (108) to 15.14 (104) win.

Like so often in the past, however, Richmond gave its multitude of fans some anxious moments when it blew a 29-point buffer late in the second term to see its lead evaporate by three-quarter time.

The Bombers booted six straight goals to wipe out the deficit and grab the lead midway through the third term.

The turnaround was even more stunning given Essendon had just one fit player on the bench for most of the second half, with Andrew Welsh concussion), Angus Monfries (ankle) and Jay Neagle (ankle) all sitting on the pine.

Speedster Leroy Jetta provided the spark in the third quarter, while Scott Lucas added some poise and a touch of magic soon after when he put in his nomination for goal of the year with an amazing kick out of mid-air that sailed through the middle.

Panic set in as the Tigers seemed devoid of ideas before Cleve Hughes booted a goal with his first kick of the afternoon to cut the Bombers' lead to four points at the final change.

Matthew Lloyd goaled to open the last quarter before Brown stepped up with three majors - including a brilliant snap from near the boundary - to maintain his team's recent hold over the Bombers.

Jason Laycock and Brent Stanton both had chances to put Essendon back in front with minutes to play but their set shots both missed.

Laycock had a shocking day in front of goals, missing a couple of easy chances and finished with 1.4.

The Tigers have now won six of the past seven matches between the sides, with this victory just the second time since 1975-76 they have beaten Essendon in three consecutive matches.

Brown's contribution all day was telling in the wash-up as he notched up 26 possessions and 11 marks, while Nathan Foley also starred with 31 touches.

Jobe Watson won a staggering 10 centre clearances to give his side first use out of the middle but the Essendon forwards were unable to capitalise on his good work. Stanton finished with 27 disposals and Damien Peverill 24, while Lucas kicked three goals in another fine return.

Richmond youngsters Mitch Morton (four goals) and Brett Deledio (three) set up a four-goal lead at half-time but the Tigers were unable to maintain their dominance through the second half.

Both sides made late changes to their teams with Will Thursfield coming in for Daniel Connors for the Tigers and forgotten Essendon defender Mal Michael replacing veteran full-back Dustin Fletcher.

RICHMOND: 5.2, 11.5, 12.9, 16.12 (108)
ESSENDON: 3.2, 7.5, 13.7, 15.14 (104)

GOALS: Richmond: Morton 4, Deledio 3, Brown 3, Simmonds 2, Johnson, Bowden, Tambling, Hughes
Essendon: Lucas 3, Stanton 2, Jetta 2, Lloyd 2, Hille, Atkinson, Lonergan, Reimers, Slattery, Laycock
BEST: Richmond: Brown, Tuck, Morton, Foley, McMahon, Deledio, Johnson
Essendon: Watson, Stanton, Peverill, Lucas, Reimers, Dyson
INJURIES: Richmond: Nil
Essendon: Welsh (concussion), Monfries (ankle), Neagle (ankle)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Connors replaced in Richmond's selected side by Thursfield; Fletcher replaced in Essendon's selected side by Michael
UMPIRES: Rosebury, Ryan, Head
CROWD: 56,746 at the G