DARCY Parish showed signs of his best as Essendon thrashed Richmond by 50 points in a match simulation on Friday.
After struggling with injuries in recent years, Parish – an All-Australian in 2021 – was superb for the Bombers at the Hangar.
The midfielder found plenty of the ball and kicked two goals in an 18.10 (118) to 10.8 (68) win as two of the youngest lists in the AFL went head-to-head.
Parish was ably supported by Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell, as the Bombers look to bounce back in 2026 after injuries ruined last year.
Nate Caddy led the recovery up forward after the Tigers had made the better start, with the 20-year-old finishing with four goals.
A goal after the quarter-time siren from No.7 pick Sam Cumming saw Richmond up by 14 points at the first change as the Tigers punished some poor Bombers turnovers.
Sam Lalor took a superb first-quarter mark over Jayden Nguyen in the highlight of the opening term.
But Essendon took over to begin the second quarter, piling on a quick run of goals – and seven for the quarter – to take control.
While Caddy led that run, Kyle Langford chipped in and finished with three majors for the day and Hussien El Achkar (who ended up with two goals) was dangerous.
Lalor and Taj Hotton were impressive early, while Sam Grlj – last year's No.8 pick – showed run and poise from the back half.
Harry Armstrong was a presence for the Tigers in the forward line, kicking two goals, while Mykelti Lefau booted three majors.
Young guns
With two of the youngest lists in the AFL, there was plenty of fresh faces on show. Sam Lalor showed glimpses of why he was the No.1 pick in 2024, including taking a superb mark in the first quarter, while Sam Grlj caught the eye with his run and carry from defence. For the Bombers, Nate Caddy, 20, kicked four goals, Angus Clarke was impressive and last year's No.10 pick Jacob Farrow showed good signs in defence.
Switching positions
Unsurprisingly, Lachie Blakiston took on No.1 ruck duties for the Bombers, after starting his career at Essendon last year as a key defender. Rising youngster Archie Roberts spent plenty of time on the ball after featuring mostly at half-back in 2025. Young Tigers pair Sam Lalor and Taj Hotton had stints on the ball as more midfield time beckons for them in 2026.
ESSENDON 3.1 10.5 13.9 18.10 (118)
RICHMOND 5.3 6.3 8.4 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Essendon: Caddy 4, Langford 3, Parish 2, Wright 2, El Achkar 2, Durham, May, Guelfi, Duursma, Caldwell
Richmond: Lefau 3, Armstrong 2, Hotton, Green, Cumming, Ross, Fawcett
ESSENDON
1. Andrew McGrath, 2. Jacob Farrow, 3. Darcy Parish, 4. Kyle Langford, 6. Jye Caldwell, 8. Brayden Fiorini, 11. Jade Gresham, 15. Dyson Sharp, 19. Kayle Gerreyn, 20. Peter Wright, 21. Archie Roberts, 22. Sam Durham, 25. Jaxon Prior, 26. Archer May, 28. Xavier Duursma, 29. Max Kondogiannis, 30. Nate Caddy, 31. Zach Reid, 32. Ben McKay, 33. Hussien El Achkar, 35. Matt Guelfi, 36. Angus Clarke, 38. Rhys Unwin, 39. Vigo Visentini, 40. Zak Johnson, 41. Saad El-Hawli, 42. Jayden Nguyen, 44. Archer Day-Wicks, 46. Lachie Blakiston, 48. Liam McMahon
Absent: Zach Merrett*, Elijah Tsatas, Sullivan Robey, Issac Kako, Will Setterfield, Nik Cox, Jordan Ridley, Archie Perkins, Vigo Visentini, Lewis Hayes, Harry Jones, Nick Bryan, Mason Redman, Nic Martin, Tom Edwards
* Played in AAMI AFL Origin on Saturday
