Essendon VFL has gone down to league-leader Richmond by two goals in a tough and tight contest at Windy Hill on Saturday.

With the scores level 17 minutes into the final term, the VFL Dons looked like they were a chance of sneaking the win after staying right on the Tigers’ tails all day.

But Richmond was too composed in the end, kicking the final two goals of the game to record an 11.5 (71) to 13.5 (83) win.

The hunger for the footy was present from the first bounce, as both sides wrestled with one another to get an early advantage. 

It was a hotly contested opening term, with the first score coming via Richmond at the 12-minute mark. 

Jayden Laverde responded three minutes later to put Essendon on the board and level the scores. 

The Dons and Tigers then traded majors for the remainder of the term, as David Myers (31 disposals, four tackles) snapped his first. 

Despite leading the inside-50 count by six at the first break, Essendon went into the first break trailing by a goal.

Knowing they needed to start capitalising on their forward entries, the Dons booted three straight goals halfway through the second to snatch the lead. 

But two late Richmond goals in as many minutes meant the Dons were left chasing a one-goal margin at half-time. 

There was a noticeable lift in Essendon’s intensity and effort entering the third quarter, with Josh Begley, Heath Hocking (two goals) and Jordan Houlahan (12 disposals, two goals) giving the Dons a 12-point lead early.

Unfortunately, the visitors then added three straight themselves.

Skipper Aaron Heppell (26 disposals, seven tackles) took a strong mark and converted to bring his side back within two points late, before a miss made it just one-point the difference. 

With the win still up for grabs, Essendon threw everything it had at Richmond in a rollercoaster final term.

A behind at the 10-minute mark levelled the scores once again, but it wasn’t long before the Tigers found a way forward and kicked truly.

Tynan Smith slotted his first to draw 71-apiece at the 17-minute mark, but the Tigers sealed the win by adding the final two goals of the game. 

Jordan Ridley (25 disposals, 10 marks) looked back in some strong form, while Jake Long (19 disposals, four tackles) and Josh Tynan (16 disposals, six tackles) battled all day.

Despite the finish, senior coach Dan Jordan was incredibly proud of the way his side responded to the challenge.

“We were pretty disappointed with what we dished up last weekend, so we had a simple focus today to bring our intensity and effort around the ball,” Jordan said.

“Regardless of the result, our boys stuck at the task and really brought (what we asked of them) for four quarters. I was really proud of their efforts.

“Richmond is on top of the ladder for a good reason, and credit to them for getting the win, but our guys came ready to take it right up to them.

“There’s a realistic chance we will play them again in a couple of weeks, and while we’ll relish that challenge, in the meantime we’ve got to make today’s effort our baseline because we’ve been a bit inconsistent with that this past month.”

Jordan also praised the work of the two debutants Matthew Day and Dale Marshall.

“Matty and Dale have trained in our program all year, and hadn’t been able to crack a game due to availability. With a few injuries opening up some spots, they finally got an opportunity today.

“I thought both of them contributed well and played their roles – it shows good signs for our group moving forward.”

The VFL Dons will have an eight-day break before travelling to GMHBA Stadium on Sunday, August 25 to take on Geelong in the final round of the home-and-away season.

Essendon 2.0 5.2 10.3 11.5 (71)
Richmond 3.0 6.2 10.4 13.5 (83)

Goals: Houlahan, Hocking 2, Laverde, Myers, Mosquito, Mynott, Begley, Heppell, Smith

Disposals: Myers 31, Heppell 26, Ridley 25, Dixon 20, Long, Mynott 19