It’s one of the truly great spectacles in Australian football.
Essendon and Richmond battling it out under the Saturday night lights of the MCG has become the enduring image of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, shining a light to the immense contribution of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the sport.
Ahead of the 19th annual Dreamtime at the ‘G this Saturday, let’s look at the moments that have shaped a special marquee on the AFL calendar.
2004 – Michael Long inspires a nation
On November 21st, 2004, former Essendon champion Michael Long embarked on a 650km trek that was to become known as The Long Walk, journeying from his Melbourne home all the way to Parliament House in Canberra.
Long’s walk, which generated national media attention, culminated in a meeting with then-Prime Minister John Howard to address and amend the immediate and systemic issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country.
Long’s mission inspired flocks of people to join him along his journey, paving the way for the now-iconic Long Walk to the ‘G that takes place ahead of every Dreamtime clash.
2005 – Dreamtime at the ‘G comes to life
In early July of 2005, then-Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy pioneered the idea to turn the weekend’s crunch clash with Richmond into a celebration of Indigenous involvement in football’s history, as the match coincided with NAIDOC Week that year.
Dreamtime at the ‘G was born, the Tigers honouring the occasion with a victory to the tune of 26 points over the Bombers.
2007 – ‘Richo’ left rueing as Dons steal victory
Breaking out to a three-goal lead with just six minutes to play in their round nine clash in 2007, it appeared the Tigers had Essendon on the ropes.
Continuing the trend of unpredictability in this fixture however, an electric five minutes from the Dons brought the 61,000 strong crowd to its feet.
A typically desperate rundown tackle from James Hird set up Scott Lucas to trim the margin to single figures, before Adam McPhee unleashed a 55-metre bomb to tie it up.
Shortly after, a clutch mark and goal from Matthew Richardson had seemingly restored the Richmond lead. Unbeknownst to the star key forward, a controversial free kick and subsequent 50m penalty had gone Essendon’s way, incensing both ‘Richo’ and the frenzied Richmond faithful.
In transition, Jason Johnson and a fresh-faced Bachar Houli both registered minor scores, before a Matthew Lloyd mark on the siren put the result beyond doubt.
In a fixture spoilt for choice with drama, this one has definitely lingered in fame (or infamy).
2012-15 – Dons gain ascendancy, Tigers’ reign begins
After 2011’s edition of Dreamtime drew a then-record 83,563 people through the MCG gates, public interest was spiking to see two young sides on the verge of the top eight juke it out again the following season.
Essendon and Richmond delivered a shootout in 2012, filled with all the twists and turns we’ve come to expect.
Eventual Brownlow Medallist Trent Cotchin rallied his troops from a 35-point half-time deficit to even take the lead halfway through the final term.
The Bombers would have the last laugh though, with super-sub Nathan Lovett-Murray and Angus Monfries converting to regain the ascendancy in a 128-109 win.
After three consecutive Dreamtime losses, the Tigers had a point to prove in 2015, handing the Bombers a 13-point loss in an arm wrestle.
In a tight contest, it was Captain Cotchin again standing up with a solid 24 disposal, two-goal performance to down the Dons.
2017-18 – Record attendance, Edwards makes history
The 2017 Dreamtime match was heavily hyped in the build-up, with a high-octane brand of footy prominent from both sides in the first half of the season. The matchup certainly didn’t disappoint, with a record crowd of 85,565 on hand to witness a collective 10-goal opening term, as the Tigers outlasted the Dons in an 81-66 victory.
In 2018, Richmond veteran Shane Edwards became the first Indigenous player to win the Yiooken Award, with a dominant 31 disposal performance including 12 score involvements.
The Tigers’ 71-point victory that night is still the greatest margin between the two sides in any Dreamtime clash.
2020-21 – Dreamtime arrives in Darwin and Perth
Throughout two turbulent seasons affected by COVID-19, the Dreamtime match was relocated away from Victoria – a move that presented the AFL with two of its greatest exhibits during a challenging time.
TIO Stadium in Darwin played host in 2020, with the NT crowd exhilarated by the livewire performance of young Indigenous forwards Irving Mosquito and Shai Bolton, the latter’s 29 disposals and a goal propelling the Tigers to a 12-point victory and securing the Yiooken Award in the process.
The following year saw the sides square off at Perth’s Optus Stadium, in an awe-inspiring display for the game.
Despite a spirited performance by a young Essendon outfit, the weathered and experienced Tigers ran rampant in the final 10 minutes to record a 39-point victory in front of a raucous 55,000 crowd, a remarkable figure for two interstate sides at a neutral venue.
2023 – Another chapter awaits
The newest instalment poses an enticing challenge for both teams in very distinct phases of their development.
The young Dons will be out to break a streak of 13 consecutive losses against Richmond as they continue to mould into the gameplan set under new coach Brad Scott, equipped with a more defensively oriented approach after a difficult 2022 season.
Dreamtime game key facts:
Most wins: Richmond (12)
Most games played (Richmond): Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt (12)
Most games played (Essendon): Brent Stanton, David Zaharakis (11)
Most goals (Richmond): Jack Riewoldt (30)
Most goals (Essendon): Matthew Lloyd (15)
Most Yiooken Award wins: Dustin Martin (2)
Longest win streak: Richmond (8, 2015-)
Biggest winning margin: Richmond, 2018 (71 points)
Lowest winning margin: Richmond, 2006 (2 points)
