It was always going to be an emotional day for Essendon with club champion and skipper James Hird playing his 200^th game. However, no one would have predicted the events that transpired today at the MCG. In the second quarter Hird left the field with suspected broken ribs and took no further part in the game.

The skipper was taken straight to hospital by ambulance for tests and observation. The question on everyone’s lips was - ""how can one player be so unlucky!""

Even before the Hird injury, the day started ordinary for Essendon. The team looked flat in the opening term and Richmond jumped out to an early three goal lead. Essendon were turning the ball over and only booted two goals for the term. The Bombers looked in danger of not only losing the match but also put a serious question mark on the team’s chances for the remainder of the season.

When Scott Lucas left the field early in the second quarter the team looked in real trouble. And then when things looked like they couldn’t get any worse, Hird received that knee in the middle of the back and left the field immediately.

At half-time Essendon had half a bench and two of its best players were taking no further part in the game. The writing was on the wall for a massacre in the second half, with Essendon being the ones on the receiving end.

However, the remaining 20 Bomber players dug deep in the second half and found something special. They came out all guns blazing and kicked seven straight goals to race out to a 43 point lead. Every single player in the red and black jumper lifted to another level. But it was Matthew Lloyd who was the difference between the two teams.

In Hird’s absence Lloyd led the team to victory. He was unstoppable up forward and carved up the Richmond defence. The triple Coleman Medallist led hard and marked everything that came his way. He finished with eight marks, 15 kicks and two handballs. He also exerted his influence on the scoreboard and finished with nine goals in a best on ground performance.

Essendon booted a further 10 goals in the final term to run out 78-point winners. The day went from being a total disaster to the Bombers winning the match for their injured skipper.

Click here for an update on Hird’s injury.