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Essendon’s finals hopes remain alive after we survived a scare against Richmond to hang on for a nail-biting one-point win in a scrappy, low-scoring game. We got away to a terrific start and led by nearly five goals midway through the second quarter, but missed numerous opportunities to extend that lead and kill the game. The Tigers then fought back and we stopped scoring, and only a couple of scrambled late goals got us over the line.
Rugged Essendon forward Paul Barnard is a certain starter against Richmond tonight after easily getting through an early-morning fitness test at Windy Hill today. Barnard was forced to leave the ground late last week after suffering a bruised knee late in the match. ""We just wanted to do a final check on him but he got through it easily and will play tonight,"" Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said. ""He did some agility running and pulled up well so its all systems go.""
Read nowWe acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Custodians on whose Country we are based. We acknowledge their ongoing connection to Country and pay respect to their Elders, past and present. We extend that acknowledgement and respect to all First Nations peoples throughout Australia.
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